Tag: NFL

Niners hit with key injuries

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nbcsports.com photo: San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk will miss four to six weeks due to a sprained MCL

By Jeremy Harness

The 49ers are 4-0 for the first time since 1990, when they were going for an historic three-peat. That is certainly worth celebrating, especially given the recent history of this franchise.

However, here comes the bad news.

In the fourth quarter of the 49ers’ convincing win over the Cleveland Browns Monday night, fullback Kyle Juszczyk was forced to leave the game with a knee injury. The next day, he was diagnosed with a sprained MCL, and he is expected to be out for the next four to six weeks

The injury is especially painful for the 49ers, since this has the potential to seriously limit a running attack that wore down the Browns and would have given them a real chance to stay with the Rams, who they will face in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The team was dealt another blow this week, as right tackle Mike McGlinchey will need arthroscopic knee surgery, and he is also expected to miss four to six weeks.

Starting left tackle Joe Staley is already out with a hairline fracture in his fibula, and he will miss half of the regular season, so this will mean that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will have to get the ball out even quicker than he had to against the Browns, because the Rams have a much more effective pass rush that is led by all-world defensive end Aaron Donald.

Both of these injuries will hurt the running game, and the 49ers will need to run the ball if they are going to slow the Rams down and keep their high-powered offense off the field.

The Rams, however, have some injury concerns of their own. Receiver Brandin Cooks is currently under concussion protocol and is not expected to play Sunday. Meanwhile, running back Todd Gurley has a thigh contusion, and he is listed as day-to-day, meaning that there is a possibility that he will not play Sunday, either.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: 49ers leave little doubt against Browns on Monday Night Football

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Photo credit: bleacherreport.com

On the 49ers podcast with Dave:

#1 For San Francisco 49ers (4-0) quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, it was drive, drive, drive, and he got it done throwing multiple touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns (2-3).

#2 Who would have expected the 49ers would be 4-0 after their first four games? Was the win against Cleveland the one that passed the audition?

David Zizmor does the 49ers podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

49ers Dominate Browns 31-3 on Monday Night Football

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Photo credit: mercurynews.com

By: Joe Lami

SANTA CLARA — For the first time since 1990, the San Francisco 49ers have started their season 4-0; thanks to a 31-3 Monday Night beatdown of the Cleveland Browns. In 1990, Joe Montana led the Niners to a 10-0 start and a birth in the NFC title game.

They looked like a team destined for greatness on Monday, owning Cleveland on all sides of the ball, led by a stifling defense and a hard run game.

Defensively, the Niners were all over the Browns, as Cleveland couldn’t do anything. The 49ers pass rush made life difficult for Baker Mayfield, who was held to 8 completions on 22 attempts for 100 yards. He also threw two interceptions and was sacked four times.

Second-overall pick, Nick Bosa shined in primetime with his best performance to date. He was all over the place, finishing with two sacks, five QB hits, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
He became the first Niner in 25 years to finish two sacks, a forced fumble, and a recovery.

Bosa earned his revenge on Mayfield, who famously planted an Oklahoma flag in the middle of Ohio State’s Horseshoe when his Sooners’ upset Bosa’s Buckeyes a few years ago. Bosa celebrated a sack by re-creating it on Monday.

The Niners started the night great, forcing Cleveland to punt on their opening possession. The fireworks began from there, as Matt Breida opened the game on an 83-yard gash to the endzone, giving San Francisco an immediate 7-0 lead.

Breida’s run was the fifth-longest in franchise history and the longest run by a Niner since Kaepernick went 90 yards against the Chargers in 2014. His run was clocked at 22.30 MPH by NFL NextGen Stats, the fastest speed reached by any player over the last two seasons.

Breida led San Francisco’s rushing effort that dashed the Browns for 275 yards. He finished with 114 yards on 11 carries. Tevin Coleman returned from injury for 97 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, while Raheem Mostert played clean-up duty in the second half with seven carries for 34 yards.

Breida picked up his second touchdown of the evening later in the first quarter, catching a five-yard pass from Garoppolo to extend the lead to 14-0.

The Niners extended their lead to 21-3 late in the second quarter on a Coleman 19-yard run. The drive was set up again by the defense standing tall in their own red zone with K’Waun Williams picking off Mayfield on the goal line and returning it to midfield.

Jimmy Garoppolo threw his lone touchdown in the third quarter, finding George Kittle from 20 yards out to make it 28-3. Garoppolo quietly threw two touchdowns on 20-of-29 for 181 yards, doing just enough to complement the extraordinary run game. Through four games, Garoppolo has thrown seven touchdowns to seven different receivers.

Kittle was his primary target, bringing in six balls for 70 yards and his first touchdown of the season.

The one dark spot for the 49ers was their kicking game. Robbie Gould continues to struggle this year, and on Monday night, he missed three more field goals. Missing from 47 and 52 yards, he was also blocked from 32 yards out.

Even more concerning, Kyle Juszczyk exited the game with an apparent knee sprain. He’s scheduled for an MRI on Monday, and the 49ers are hopeful it won’t be a long-term injury. The fullback has been an under-the-radar bright spot for San Francisco, setting up most of the Niners’ big runs.

Now on a short week, the Niners face their biggest test yet this Sunday in Los Angeles as they take on the Rams. It will be intriguing to see how this offense operates without one of their key cogs in the backfield if Juszczyk is unable to go.

Raiders come up with huge win in London 24-21

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photo from sfgate.com: Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) goes in for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in London.

By Jeremy Kahn

After seeing the Chicago Bears come all the way back to a take 21-17 lead, the Oakland Raiders showed absolutely no quit in their offense.

Josh Jacobs scored on a two-yard run with just 1:57 remaining in the fourth quarter, helping the Raiders to a 24-21 victory over the Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

With the victory, the Raiders have won back-to-back games for the first time since the 2017 season.

After the touchdown, the Bears began to drive the ball down the field, but Chase Daniel, playing quarterback for the Bears for the injured Mitchell Trubisky threw an interception that Gareon Conley snared at the Raiders 23-yard line that gave the ball to the Raiders; however, the Raiders could not run the clock and were forced to give the ball back to the Bears with 20 seconds remaining in the game.

Maurice Hurst came up with the biggest play of the game, as he sacked Daniel to end the game and Raiders swarmed the field in jubilation.

The Raiders got on the scoreboard with just five seconds gone in the second quarter, as Jacobs scored from 12 yards to give the Raiders a 7-0 lead.

It turned out to be a big day for Jacobs, who scored two touchdowns on 26 carries and eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the first time, as he ran 123 yards.

The eventual game-winning drive for the Raiders saw everything, as they started on their own three-yard line, eventually were forced to punt the ball on fourth-and-6; however, the Bears were called for running into the kicker, giving the Raiders a second chance. With a short fourth-and-1, the Raiders took a gamble and faked the punt and got the first down; however, Erik Harris gained three yards to give the Raiders the first down.

Derek Carr came up with a 23-yard completion to Foster Moreau on third-and-1 to extend the drive that ended with Jacobs getting into the end zone for the second time on the afternoon.

Former Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack was held in check by the Raiders offensive line, as he came with a fumble that saw Carr and Jacobs miscommunicate on a pitchout.

That fumble turned into a touchdown, as David Montgomery scored from a yard out to get the Bears on the board.

Daniel got going after Montgomery touchdown, as he then threw two touchdowns to Allen Robinson that gave the Bears a 21-17 lead.

The Raiders drove down to the Bears one-yard line, but Trevor Davis fumbled the ball and the ball was recovered by Prince Amukamara at the Bears own one-yard line.

Luckily, for the Raiders, who were called for a roughing the passer on Hurst, the Bears could not put the game away and the Raiders took over on their own three-yard line and it culminated in the Jacobs two-yard touchdown run in the waning moments.

Carr went 25-for-32 for 229 yards on the evening, as the Raiders go into the bye week on a high note.

Moreau led the Raiders with 46 yards receiving, as he was one of three Raiders to have four catches, as Davis and Darren Waller also caught four passes.

UP NEXT: Following the bye week, the Raiders return to the road, as they will travel to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers on October 20.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: 49ers-Browns could be the primetime show of the season on Monday Night Football

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Photo credit: nbcsports.com

On the 49ers podcast with Joe:

#1 The Cleveland Browns (2-2) are the 49ers (3-0) next opponents at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. The Browns are noted for having the most aggressive offense in the NFL.

#2 In their last game, the Browns made handy work of the Baltimore Ravens and head coach John Harbaugh with a 40-25 win. Can the 49ers defense do anything against this wide-open offense that Cleveland brings on Monday Night Football?

#3 Talk about the Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. He was 20-30 for 342 yards one touchdown and one interception. He was a force under center last Sunday against Baltimore.

#4 The Browns are not too shabby on defense. Will the 49ers’ line be able to buy quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo some time in the pocket against a quick rushing Browns defense?

#5 Finally, Joe tells us about the match up between the Cleveland Browns and the San Francisco 49ers on America’s number one primetime show Monday Night Football. Where Joe asks only one question: “Are you ready for some football?”

Joe Lami does the 49ers podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Carr getting some time to throw with good line protection

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Photo credit: raiderswire.usatoday.com

On the Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes:

#1 In a huge win against the Indianapolis Colts, Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr threw for two touchdowns, which was just enough to get by the Colts in Week 4 of the NFL season.

#2 Carr went 21-31 for 189 yards for one of his best games of the season.

#3 Talk about the line and how much time Carr was allowed to throw. He doesn’t spend a lot in the pocket, but just enough time to do some damage.

#4 The Raiders made it important to strike first with a 14-0 lead, and in the fourth quarter, it was the Colts who scored two touchdowns but were able to get by with a touchdown in the 31-24 win.

#5 So it’s game three of this six-game out of town schedule. This time in London and the Raiders will play home team this Sunday against the Chicago Bears. Joe tells us about this matchup.

Joe Hawkes does the Raiders podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Raiders fly to London for home game against the Bears

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Photo credit: bleacherreport.com

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
SRS Contributor

The Oakland Raiders, fresh off an impressive win in Indianapolis in Week 4, are off to London where they will host (that’s right, host) the Chicago Bears in Week 5 for the NFL’s first-ever matchup in the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Sunday’s game will mark the second-straight year that the Raiders have played in London, and the fifth time in six years playing an international game.

Kickoff for this game is at 10:00 a.m. PT this Sunday, Oct. 6.

The all-time series is tied at seven wins apiece, but the Bears have won the previous matchup between the two teams, 22-20, back in 2015 at Soldier Field.

Last week, the Raiders dispatched the Colts, 31-24, behind a fast start by the offense who jumped out to an early 14-0 lead. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr was terrific, leading Oakland to touchdowns on three of their first four drives of the game.

“We finished our drives, we converted on third downs, we were efficient running the football. Everyone did their job,” Carr said after the win that pulled Oakland to 2-2 on the season. When everyone does their job, we can score points.

Carr was 21 of 31 with 189 yards and two TDs. On the game’s opening drive Carr was sharp, completing 6 of 6 passes for 53 yards and an 18-yard TD to tight end Foster Moreau to give Oakland an early 7-0 lead.

Oakland’s second offensive series of the game ended after wide receiver Trevor Davis ran past the Colts’ defense on the left side for a TD that propelled the Raiders to a 14-0 lead before fans at Lucas Oil Stadium sat down.

Wide receiver Tyrell Williams caught a touchdown for the fourth-straight game this season, a 19-yarder from Carr that gave the Raiders a 21-7 lead.

Oakland’s defense preserved the win late in the fourth quarter.

With the Raiders clinging to a 24-17 lead, safety Erik Harris stepped in front of a Jacoby Brissett pass and returned it for a 30-yard pick-six that gave Oakland a 31-17 lead shortly before the two minute warning.

Harris’ interception was the first takeaway by the Raiders this season.

Chicago (3-1) is coming off a 16-6 victory over their NFC North rivals, the Minnesota Vikings at Solider Field in Week 4.

After starting quarterback Mitchell Trubisky was knocked out of the game on the first possession with a left shoulder injury, backup Chase Daniels would stabilize the Bears’ offense over the Vikings’ defense.

Daniels threw for 195 yards and a touchdown while completing 22 of 30 passes. With Trubisky most likely out for Sunday’s game, expect Daniels to get the start against the Silver and Black.

But the real calling card for Chicago has been its defense, which has made life difficult for opposing teams this season.

Through four games, Chicago is the fifth-ranked defense in the NFL, surrendering just 290.8 yards per game, but rank second in total points allowed (45), points per game (11.3), and sacks (17.0).

Former Raiders linebacker/defensive end Khalil Mack leads Chicago with 4.5 sacks.

Mack who was traded to Chicago from Oakland before the start of last season, told NFL Network’s Deion Sanders following Chicago’s win over Minnesota that he’s looking forward to the matchup against his former team.

“That’s the one I’m looking forward to,” Mack told Sanders. “I can’t lie to you, man. It’s going to to be a big one.”

Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, who came into Sunday’s contest with an NFL-leading 375 yards rushing through four games, was held to just 35 yards on 14 carries.

The Bears lived in Minnesota’s backfield all day, sacking quarterback Kirk Cousins six times in the game.

Following Sunday’s game, both teams will enter their bye weeks before Oakland travels to Green Bay to face the Packers, and the Bears taking on the New Orleans Saints at home in Week 7 respectively.

Unbeaten Niners prep for dangerous Browns on Monday night

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Photo credit: ninersnation.com

By Jeremy Harness

SANTA CLARA–The 49ers are the only unbeaten team left in the NFC, something that has not happened in a very long time. Let that sink in for a little bit.

OK, good. Now that’s out of the way, on to the next order of business. And these aren’t the same Cleveland Browns that we have been accustomed to for the past few years.

In fact, the team that will be inside Levi’s Stadium to face the 49ers Monday night just knocked off the Baltimore Ravens on the road last Sunday, and they will have some offensive momentum going their way after the 40-25 win.

Baker Mayfield, who has taken a bit of heat in the media for his erratic decision-making, has seemed to get things together for the time being, as he hung 342 passing yards and a touchdown on the notoriously-tough Baltimore defense.

The Browns, however, will be facing a much-improved 49ers defense that has paved the way to their winning the first three games of the 2019 season. They also have an issue with injuries, as receiver Jarvis Landry, who torched the Ravens secondary last week, is currently in concussion protocol and is not a guarantee to play Monday night.

Cleveland may have a capable fill-in for Landry, however. Antonio Callaway, who was suspended for the first four games due to a substance abuse violation, will be eligible to play against the 49ers and is likely to be the No. 2 wideout opposite Odell Beckham, Jr. if Landry is not able to play.

Meanwhile, the 49ers need to figure out a replacement for corner Ahkello Witherspoon, who will miss about a month with a foot sprain. And they need to find it fact, if they are going to limit the potent Cleveland offense.

Headline Sports podcast with Barbara Mason: It’s here, the AL Wild Card game, it’s anyone’s one and done; Raiders hold up for win against Colts; plus more

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mercurynews.com file photo: Oakland Athletics’ Khris Davis (2), right, is mobbed by his teammates after winning the game with a walk-off walk against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. on Sunday, July 28, 2019. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Texas Rangers 6-5.

On Headline Sports with Barbara:

#1 After a long 162-game regular season, it all boils down to just one playoff game, the American League Wild Card game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Oakland A’s on Wednesday night at the Oakland Coliseum.

#2 A’s pitcher Sean Manaea will get the call. He was out most of the season due to arm surgery, but when he returned, he pitched his first two games throwing shutout ball before being lifted. He’s now 4-0.

#3 After taking two tough loses earlier to the Kansas City Chiefs and later to the Minnesota Vikings, the Oakland Raiders faced the Indianapolis Colts and that one turned out to be a squeaker with the Raiders getting by with a seven-point win 31-24.

#4 The 49ers got a bye last Sunday for Week 4. Will having a bye be an advantage for San Francisco or will it be a disadvantage knowing they won’t get much rest between now and the end of the season?

#5 The San Jose Sharks open up their regular season against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday night at T-Mobile Center. With a lot riding on some of the changes, how much pressure will there be on Erik Karlsson. the Sharks’ bonus player, going into the season?

Barbara Mason does Headline Sports each Tuesday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: 49ers look ahead to Browns on Monday Night Football

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Photo credit: nbcsports.com

On the 49ers podcast with David:

#1 The 49ers are coming off a big win over the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-20 at Levi’s Stadium after having a bye last Sunday. How convincing was the win to say that this team can go out and win most of the remainder of their schedule? They have a challenging Cleveland Browns team on Monday Night Football.

#2 San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw 23-32 for 277 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions of those numbers. What sticks out most for Jimmy G?

David Zizmor does the 49ers podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com