Tag: NFL

Kittle’s career night lead undefeated 49ers to 42-10 beat down of Cowboys

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San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle celebrates one of his three touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday OCT 8, 2023. (San Francisco 49ers)

by Marko Ukalovic

It was only a matter of time before George Kittle had his own breakout game.

Kittle scored his first three touchdowns of the season, a career high, in the San Francisco 49ers 42-10 route of the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football at Levi’s Stadium.

The 49ers all-pro tight end had three catches, all for touchdowns, with 67 yards as he tied a San Francisco franchise record for most touchdowns by a tight end in a single game.

San Francisco has started the season 5-0 for the first time since starting 7-0 back in 2019. Dallas dropped to 3-2 on the season as both losses have been to NFC West opponents.

“We have a really good team, we’re healthy and we’re clicking right now,” Kittle said.

The 49ers scored on its opening possession. Quarterback Brock Purdy hooked up with Kittle on his first touchdown of the game, a 19-yarder, to finish off a seven play 75-yard drive.

It was not a good start for Dallas as they started with back-to-back three and outs as San Francisco’s defense led by Fred Warner, who played like a man possessed with eight tackles, a sack and an interception, kept the Cowboys from establishing any kind of a rhythm.

“Being the competitor that I am, I wanted us to be the top defense and I think we did that tonight,” Warner said.

Both teams exchanged fumbles. Warned punched the ball out of running back Tony Polard’s hands at their own nine-yard line, which was recovered by Kevin Givens at the 16-yard line. Then two plays later running back Christian McCaffery fumbled at the Dallas 2-yard line that was recovered by Jourdan Lewis.

The 49ers defense disrupted Prescott all game long as they intercepted him three times and sacked him three times. San Francisco won the turnover battle four to one.

Purdy connected with Kittle for their second touchdown of the game, a 38-yard touchdown reception after a reverse flee-flicker from McCaffery to Deebo Samuel who pitched it back to Purdy who then threw to a wide-open Kittle down the right sideline as he cruised into the end zone with 13:16 left in the second quarter.

“That play was a great a draw up,” said Purdy regarding the trick play. “We were excited we finally got to call it (in a game).”

The Cowboys cut the lead in half with a 11 play 78-yard drive when Prescott connected with KaVontae Turpin for a 26-yard touchdown reception with 7:45 remaining in the first half.

The 49ers closed out the first half with a 21-7 lead when McCaffery rushed for his seventh touchdown of the season as he powered his way up the middle for a one-yard touchdown with 2:36 left in the second quarter. The all-pro running back has now scored a touchdown in a 49ers uniform in 14 consecutive games.

The Purdy-Kittle connection hooked up for a third touchdown of the night when Kittle got underneath the defense inside the endzone for a 10-yard touchdown reception on its first possession of the second half.

“Being able to see (Ex 49ers tight end) Vernon (Davis)pre-game. He told me to score three to tie his record. I was like (sigh) fine all right Vernon (Davis) I’ll do it, I’ll tell Brock…It was fun being able to get in the endzone,” Kittle said.

Purdy, who finished 17-for-24 for 252 yards with no interceptions, threw for his fourth touchdown of the game when he found fullback Kyle Juszczyk out in the flat for a one-yard touchdown reception with 14:19 left in the fourth quarter.

San Francisco scored its final touchdown after Prescott’s second interception. Backup running back Jordan Mason went untouched for a 26-yard rushing touchdown 20 seconds later.

It was a forgettable evening for Prescott as he finished 14-for-24 for 153 yards with one touchdown to go along with his three interceptions and quarterback rating of just 51.6. CeeDee Lamb led the Cowboys in receiving with four catches for 49 yards.

Mason led the 49ers in rushing with 69 yards on 10 carries and McCaffery had a modest night with 51 yards on 19 carries. Brandon Aiyuk chipped in four catches for 58 yards. Pollard had a quiet game with only 29 yards on eight carries.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco finished 6-for-11 on third down conversions. Dallas went 4-for-10.

San Francisco now leads the all-time series against Dallas 20-19-1.

Purdy remains undefeated in the regular season (10-0) and is 12-1 in his career with San Francisco.

The 49ers lead the NFL in first drive points with 31.

UP NEXT: San Francisco travels out to Cleveland to take on the Browns on Sunday 10/15 at 10:00am at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Headline Sports podcast Jessica Kwong: Ex 49er Francis’ plane had a power failure leading to fatal crash; Jets Rogers believes he can get back this season; plus more news

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Former San Francisco 49ers tight end Russ Francis played six years for the 49ers died on Sun Sep 30, 2023 from a plane accident at Lake Placid NY Airport (Getty image)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong:

#1 Jessica, Former San Francisco 49ers tight end Russ Francis who played six years with the 49ers and was on their 1984 Super Bowl team died in a plane accident on Sunday. Francis who with Richard McSpadden a former US Air Force Thunderbirds commander and flight leader were in a plane that crashed at Lake Placid Airport at the end of a runaway. It was reported that a power failure on the plane led to the crash.

#2 New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rogers isn’t giving up reportedly he’s attacking practice and rehab in trying to make a return this season. Rogers is into his third week after having Achilles tendon surgery. Rogers says he believes he could return this season. Achilles tendon surgery normally takes about one year to return to any top level athletic competition.

#3 The New York Giants center John Michael Schmitz and tight end Daniel Bellinger both got injured on a tush push in the first quarter on Monday Night Football against the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford New Jersey. Schmitz wound up with shoulder injury and Bellinger a knee injury.

#4 Dallas Cowboys Jerry Jones says the road to the Super Bowl goes through the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers are rolling. The 49ers most recent win against the Arizona Cardinals puts them at 4-0. The Cardinals who defeated the Cowboys two weeks ago are without star quarterback Kyler Murray and struggled on offense against the 49ers last Sunday.

#5 On Tuesday the Detroit Lions Jameson Williams was thrilled to be back from his four game/one month suspension for non NFL betting. Williams was punished mobile betting from a club facility. Williams said he was not aware that it was a NFL policy and said he was not mad and said it’s rules you have to follow and that’s the main thing.

Join Jessica Kwong for Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: 49ers face Cowboys who lost to the Cardinals two weeks ago

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) signals at the line of scrimmage during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara on Sun Sep 30, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco 49ers podcast with David:

#1 David, 49ers continue to roll now 4-0 with their latest defeat over the Arizona Cardinals at Levi Stadium on Sunday 35-16. 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy 20-21, 283 yards, and one touchdown. He did get quite a lot of time in the pocket against the Cardinals.

#2 Dave, the Cardinals drop to 1-3. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs threw 28-41, 265 yards, and two touchdowns. How much do the Cardinals miss first string quarterback Kyler Murray right now?

#3 The Cardinals beat the Cowboys two weeks ago. The Cowboys are headed to Levi Stadium for Monday Night Football and are 3-1. Do you see this one as one of the 49ers toughest games coming up?

Join David Zizmor for the 49ers podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: LA’s Herbert too much for Raiders defense on Sunday; Raiders regrouping for Packers on MNF

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell fumbles in first half action against the Los Angeles Chargers at So Fi Stadium in Los Angeles (AP News photo)

On Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Tony, The Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) were able to get past the Las Vegas Raiders (1-3) Sunday afternoon thanks to Kalil Mack’s six sacks coupled with three Justin Herbert’s touchdowns. The final was 24-17 in favor of Los Angeles.

#2 Sunday afternoon the NFL entered the fourth week of the season. The Raiders took on the Chargers in Inglewood at SoFi Stadium and lost a tough one at So Fi Stadium in the Southland 24-17.

#3 The Raiders were without quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo who is still on concussion protocol and ruled out for Sunday’s game.

#4 Going into the game the Raiders had to choose between Aidan O’Connell, who was a fourth-round draft pick without a single regular season game under his belt.

#5 In week 5, the Raiders will meet the Green Bay Packers in a Monday night showdown. Kickoff for that game is scheduled for 5:15 PM. The Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is projected to start this game.

Join Tony Renteria podcasts for the Las Vegas Raiders podcast each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: O’Connell shows promise despite Raiders falling short to Chargers

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Las Vegas Raiders center Andre Jones (68) celebrates a touchdown scored by quarterback Aidan O’Connell (4) in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at So Fi Stadium in Inglewood on Sun Oct 1, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich:

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell who stepped in for starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo who is recovering from a concussion, showed a lot of promise going 24-39 for 236 yards, no touchdowns, one pick.

O’Connell made a few mistakes he kind of hung wide receiver Devante Adams out to dry on a play over the middle where Adams ended up getting hurt that’s why it’s important that you don’t have a rookie quarterback make those kind of mistakes.

Los Angeles offensive line backer and ex Raider Khalil Mack was all over the place showing why the Raiders shouldn’t have let him go. Mack had six sacks on the day so O’Connell will remembered who floored him during this game.

Raiders running back Josh Jacobs had a solid performance and looked like the Jacobs of last year and it’s taken him a little bit to get back in shape. The hold out didn’t help him and now it looks like he’s back and Jacobs has been practicing with the team and Sunday was evident of that he really had a great game.

Rich Perez does the Raiders podcasts after every home and away game for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Raiders Drop to 1-3 Losing to the Chargers 24-17

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Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jerry Tillery, center, is confronted by Los Angeles Chargers players after Tillery hit Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert late as Herbert ran out of bounds during the first half at So Fi Stadium in Inglewood on Sun Oct 1, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) were able to get past the Las Vegas Raiders (1-3) Sunday afternoon thanks to Kalil Mack’s six sacks coupled with three Justin Herbert’s touchdowns. The final was 24-17 in favor of Los Angeles. The six sacks from Mack was a franchise record for a single game.

Sunday afternoon the NFL entered the fourth week of the season. The Raiders took on the Chargers in Inglewood at SoFi Stadium. The Raiders were without quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo who is still on concussion protocol and ruled out for today’s game.

Going into the game the Raiders had to choose between Aidan O’Connell, who was a fourth-round draft pick without a single regular season game under his belt. The other choice, another shaky one, Brian Hoyer who has not won an NFL start since October of 2016 and has lost 12 straight starts.

It’s a very concerning situation for the Raiders so early in the season. We’ve seen terrible quarterback situations throughout the NFL to start 2023 and we have also seen how it can disable an entire team.

After the opening quarter this game was tied at seven. The Chargers were first up on the scoreboard. Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert rushed for 12 yards at 10:38 taking the early 7-0. The Raiders answered right back when their quarterback rushed for one yard and a touchdown with .45 seconds left on the clock in the first quarter.

Los Angeles took over in the second quarter of the game. The Chargers got the quarter going with a 33 yard field goal. They would follow this up with a Herbert pass to Keenan Allen for seven yards and the Chargers had a 17-7 lead. Justin Herbert would score his second rushing touchdown of the game, this one another one yard rush. At the half, the Chargers had a 24-7 lead.

The Chargers did not score in the second half of play. The Raider defense held up their end of the deal but the Las Vegas offense not so much. They did score a field goal in the third quarter, a 22 yard kick from Daniel Carlson. The Raiders now trailed by the score of 24-10.

Las Vegas had an opportunity in the fourth quarter when Josh Jacobs rushed for one yard and the touchdown; they were seven points away from tying this game. Throughout the game, Khalil Mack recorded six sacks making life pretty miserable for O’Connell. The Raiders did have the ball in the closing minutes but failed to score. The final was 24-17.

It was an up and down game for the Raiders. O’Connell had three fumbles losing two of them and he also had an interception for the three turnovers. He passed for 238 yards. Josh Jacobs had eight catches for 81 yards and Davante Adams had 75 reception yards. Jacobs also turned in 58 rushing yards.

The Raiders had some great chances in the second half. Their defense held tight but the offense just came up short despite scoring twice, once in the third quarter and again in the final quarter. Las Vegas now drops to 1-3 for the season.

In week 5, the Raiders will meet the Green Bay Packers in a Monday night showdown. Kickoff for that game is scheduled for 5:15 PM. The Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is projected to start this game.

Join Tony Renteria for the Las Vegas Raiders podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

McCaffery’s 4 touchdown day paces the 49ers in 35-16 rout of Cardinals

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San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffery leaps off an Arizona Cardinals defender on his to way a touchdown at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday OCT 1, 2023. (San Francisco 49ers)

by Marko Ukalovic

Christian McCaffery set a franchise record on Sunday.

McCaffery scored four touchdowns for the San Francisco 49ers who dominated from start to finish in a 35-16 blowout victory over the Arizona Cardinals in an NFC West divisional showdown on Sunday afternoon at Levi’s Stadium.

The All-Pro running back set a new 49ers record for scoring a touchdown in 13 consecutive games, breaking the old mark of 12 set by Jerry Rice, when he scored his first rushing touchdown with 9:07 left in the first quarter on a one-yard scamper that completed an eight play 62-yard opening drive.

San Francisco has started the season 4-0 for the first time since 2019. Arizona dropped to 1-3 on the season.

McCaffery and the 49ers offense had its way with Arizona as they dominated the line of scrimmage that allowed for a fun day on the field. San Francisco went up 14-0 early in the second quarter when quarterback Brock Purdy pitched the ball back to McCaffery who rushed 18 yards for his second rushing touchdown.

After a Matt Prater 38-yard field goal, the 49ers marched back down the field on a five play 75-yard drive that concluded with Purdy connecting with McCaffery on a six-yard touchdown reception to give San Francisco a comfortable 21-3 lead.

“Yeah, it would’ve been nice”, said McCaffery with a laugh when asked if had campaigned to get a fifth touchdown late in the game. “He’s (49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan) obviously got a lot going on in-game. That’s the last of anyone’s worries to do that. So as long as we scored, I was happy.”

Arizona ended the first half when quarterback Josh Dobbs hooked up with rookie wide receiver Michael Wilson on a 16-yard touchdown reception with 23 seconds left in the second quarter.

The Cardinals forced a three and out on the 49ers first possession of the second half. San Francisco punter Matt Wishnowsky pinned Arizona at their own 1-yard line.

Dobbs then led an 11 play 99-yard scoring drive down the field that chewed up 4:12 off the clock. Dobbs connected once again with Wilson for their second straight touchdown reception, an eight yarder to cut San Francisco’s lead to 21-16. They failed on the two-point conversion.

McCaffery put the game away for the 49ers early in the fourth quarter when he run for his third touchdown of the game and fourth overall with a two-yard run. McCaffery finished the game with 177 all-purpose yards with 106 on the ground on 20 carries and 71 through the air on seven catches.

“He’s a freak. He does everything for us. He can run the ball, run routes out of the back field, line up a receiver (and) run routes. So, we’re thankful for him. All you gotta do is get the ball to him and he does the rest,” Purdy said.

Purdy completed with the scoring with 1:59 left in the game when his one-yard quarterback sneak up the middle for his second rushing touchdown of the season. Purdy finished 20 of 21 for 283 yards to go along with his one passing touchdown and no interceptions. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk led all receivers with six catches for 148 yards.

Dobbs finished 28 of 41 for 265 yards and two touchdowns. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown led the Cardinals in receiving with seven catches for 96 yards. Running back James Connor chipped in with 52 yards on 11 carries.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco finished 3-for-5 on third down conversions. Arizona went 8-for-15.

San Francisco has won 14 consecutive regular season games, their second longest streak in franchise history.

Purdy set the 49ers’ single-game record for completion percentage (20 of 21) at 95.2 percent. Previous record (20+ attempts) was Steve Young, 1991 vs. Detroit (18 of 20) 90 percent.

UP NEXT: San Francisco hosts the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football 10/8 at 5:20pm at Levi’s Stadium.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: 49ers host a Cardinals team who shocked America’s team the Cowboys

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws against a rushing New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) in second half action at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara on Thursday Night Football Sep 21, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with J Hawkes:

#1 Joe, San Francisco (3-0) in their last game against the New York Giants regained the lead midway through the second quarter when quarterback Brock Purdy connected with Ronnie Bell on a nine-yard touchdown reception along the left sideline. It was the first NFL reception for Bell, the rookie seventh round draft pick out of Michigan, who did a nice tight rope job to haul in his first career touchdown.

#2 Defensive end Nick Bosa looked like a well-oiled machine as he made life miserable for New York quarterback Daniel Jones the entire game. Bosa finished with one sack and hit Jones four times as he took advantage of banged up Giants offensive line.

#3 49ers running back Christian McCaffery gave his team a two-touchdown lead near the end of the first half when he scampered in for a four-yard rushing touchdown that completed a 11 play 73-yard drive that chewed up over four and a half minutes off the clock.

#4 McCaffery led all rushers with 85 yards on 18 carries. He finished with 118 all-purpose yards as he also had five catches for 34 yards.

#5 The Arizona Cardinals are coming to Santa Clara Sunday to face the 49ers. The Cardinals are coming off a shocking 28-16 win over the Dallas Cowboys last week. 49ers safety Tashaun Gipson said, “I don’t think anybody, including Arizona, probably, thought they were winning that game,”

Join Joe Hawkes for the 49ers podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Garoppolo in concussion protocols after loss to Steelers, Raiders haven’t decided if he can start Sunday

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On the Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was evaluated after Sunday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers for a concussion and was placed in concussion protocols. How is his outlook for this Sunday’s game in Southland?

#2 Garoppolo played in every snap on Sunday night but did not speak with reporters after the game as he was being evaluated immediately after the game.

#3 Garoppolo was 28-44 for 324 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Talk about Garoppolo’s offensive performance.

#4 Garoppolo was wobbly after getting sacked by the Steelers TJ Watt. He reportedly hurt his ankle on the play and it wasn’t reported that he had suffered a concussion right after the play and was helped off the field.

#5 Garoppolo must past concussion protocols before being named the starter for Sunday. There is also a chance that third string quarterback Aidan O’Connell might get the starting call over second stringer Brian Hoyer for Sunday’s game if Garoppolo is out. O’Connell had a good pre season and might get the start.

Join Tony for the Raiders podcast each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Cardinals come to Levi after defeating Cowboys; 49ers look to go 4-0

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) fights for extra yardage against New York Giants’ Bobby Okereke (58) and Adoree’ Jackson (22) during the fourth quarter at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara on Thu Sep 21, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with David:

#1 On Thursday Night Football it was the San Francisco 49ers Brock Purdy quarterback lots protection. Purdy going 25-37 for 310 yards and two touchdowns. Purdy has led San Francisco to three wins talk about how you saw him throwing against the New York Giants.

#2 San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey carried for 18 carries, 85 yards, and a touchdown he been the go to in the 49ers ground game.

#3 David, the Arizona Cardinals come to Santa Clara this Sun Oct 1st the beat a good team in the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday 28-16 to go up 1-2. Is the Cardinal win from last Sunday an indicator going into this Sunday’s game?

Join David Zizmor for the 49ers podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com