Tag: NFL

49ers can’t overcome Bills Josh Allen’s four-TD, 375-yard night, lose to the Buffalo Bills 32-24 on Monday Night Football

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Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (99) tries to block San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens (4) during Monday Night Football on Dec 7, 2020 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale AZ (AP News photo)

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

Josh Allen was sizzling in the desert, throwing for 375 yards and four touchdowns on 32 of 40 pass attempts as the Buffalo Bills cruise to a 34-24 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Glendale, Ariz. at State Farm Stadium on Monday night to cap off Week 13.

At 9-3, the Buffalo Bills remain in sole possession of first place in the AFC East and clinched back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1998-99. The Bills are looking to capture their first division title since 1995.

Buffalo is one game ahead of the Miami Dolphins (8-4) with four games to play for both teams.

Allen completed passes to eight different receivers, throwing touchdown passes to Cole Beasley, Dawson Knox, Isaiah McKenzie and Gabriel Davis. Beasley and Stefon Diggs were Allen’s preferred targets on the night.

The duo combined for 22 targets, garnering 11 apiece.

Beasley was a tough cover for the 49ers defense in the first half, hauling in seven catches for 113 yards including a 5-yard TD on a curl route to tie the game at 7-7 following an early TD from San Francisco. Buffalo scored 17 unanswered points to lead 17-7 at halftime.

San Francisco had the injury bug bite them hard recently at their slot cornerback position and struggled to cover Beasley, who finished with a career-high nine catches for 130 yards and a TD.

Diggs registered 10 catches for 92 yards, doing most of his damage in the second half.

Buffalo’s offense harpooned the 49ers defense, exploding for 449 yards and 31 first downs. The Bills had 20 first downs alone before halftime and were efficient on offense, scoring points on five-straight drives through the second quarter and into the third quarter.

Buffalo took care of the football, dominating the time of possession: 35 minutes to 25 minutes.

In the same token, the 49ers had just nine first downs in the first half and struggled tremendously on offense for the majority of the game. The 49ers finished with 24 first downs and 402 yards of total offense that came mainly in the second half with the game decided.

San Francisco (5-7) lost a game in its temporary home of in Arizona. The 49ers will remain in Glendale for at least the next three weeks after Santa Clara County issued strict protocols that forced the team to find a temporary home.

It was the fourth game this season that Allen has thrown for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns, which set a franchise record according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly (1991) and Drew Bledsoe (2002) each did it three times for the Bills.

In the first quarter, both teams traded goal-line stands.

Buffalo opened the game with a 74-yard that was stopped at the 49ers’ 1-yard line after Allen’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete in the back of the end zone. San Francisco followed up with a 97-yard drive of their own that stopped at the Buffalo 2-yard line, but Jeff Wilson Jr. was stuffed for no gain on fourth down.

But the 49ers got the ball back in excellent field position following a fumble by Allen and the 49ers took advantage. Nick Mullens found rookie wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk in the middle of the field for a 2-yard TD to take an early 7-0 lead.

Mullens finished 26 of 39 passing for 316 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Aiyuk had five catches for 95 yards and TD.

A week after recording a career-high 11 catches and 133 yards, wide receiver Deebo Samuel finished with a team-leading six catches for 73 yards all in the second half. Buffalo’s defense shutdown Samuel in the first half, holding the dynamic play-maker to just one target.

Wilson Jr. led the 49ers with 47 yards rushing on seven carries, while Raheem Mostert chipped in with 42 yards on nine carries.

The 49ers will stay in Arizona to host the Washington Football Team Sunday, while the Buffalo Bills will be featured in primetime once again when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday night.

Raiders need miracle touchdown to beat winless Jets, 31-28

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 06: Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Las Vegas Raiders catches a touchdown pass to win the game as Lamar Jackson #38 of the New York Jets gives chase during the second half at MetLife Stadium on December 06, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

By Shawn McCullough

The Raiders saved their best for last.

Trailing 28-24, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr hit wide receiver Henry Ruggs down the left sideline for a 46 yard touchdown with just five seconds left to lift Las Vegas over the New York Jets, 31-28, at the Meadowlands.

“We knew that we needed a play and coach dialed up the double move,” said Ruggs. “I got the DB to flip his hips and once I looked back, I felt like the ball was in the air forever.”

“We put ourselves in position,” said Carr. “I couldn’t believe that they all out blitzed us, but I was thankful.”

Carr finished the game throwing for 381 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

Tight end Darren Waller had a career game catching 13 balls for 200 yards and two touchdowns.

“There was a lot of man to man coverage out there,” said Waller. “I try to win every single matchup when I go out there.”

“He is special,” said head coach Jon Gruden. “A lot of guys can’t even dream of doing what Darren Waller can do.”

Devontae Booker filled in for injured running back Josh Jacobs and ran 16 times for 50 yards.

With the win, the Raiders improved to 7-5 on the season.

“It will teach you as a Raider to never quit,” said Gruden. “It’s critical that we can go on the road after a humiliating loss to come from behind in a dramatic way and win.”

The Raiders will next return home to face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday with four games remaining in the regular season.

Game Notes:

  • The Raiders racked up 440 yards of total offense.
  • QB Derek Carr has set a new NFL record for most fourth-quarter comebacks in league history through a player’s first seven seasons (20).
  • The Raiders gave up 206 rushing yards to the Jets.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Taking a look who will be available in Arizona for the 49ers on MNF

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(Image from billswire.usatoday.com) Taking a look at who will be available and who will not for Monday Night Football between the Buffalo Bills and the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale AZ

On the 49ers podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 The San Francisco 49ers take on one of football’s toughest challenges the Buffalo Bills (8-3) on Monday Night Football. The 49er who lost three straight games before getting a big win over the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday by a narrow margin 23-20 on 49ers kicker Robbie Gould’s game winning field goal in the fourth quarter.

#2 Jeremiah let’s take a look at who didn’t practice this week as you know wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring) and cornerback K’Waun Williams (ankle) didn’t practice this week do you see them both sitting out this Monday?

#3 Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, defensive tackle DJ Jones, and defensive lineman Jordan Willis were at practice this week and are off the Covid-19 list and should be in the line up this Monday in Arizona.

#4 The Bills know they will not be seeing two of the 49ers key offensive players due to injuries quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and tight end George Kittle without them it’s been a struggle playing the Bills will it show how badly they are missed on Monday Night?

#5 The Bills are coming off a 27-17 win against the Los Angeles Chargers and the Bills have won five straight games while the 49ers have won one out of their last four games Jeremiah how do you see this match up for MNF?

Jeremiah takes a look at the 49ers previews each Wednesday and does the 49ers podcasts each Saturday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Raiders take on football’s worst the Jets will it be another “any given Sunday” again?

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The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) was scrambling for daylight all afternoon at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta against the Falcons on Sun Nov 29, 2020 (AP News photo)

On the Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich:

#1 Rich, how surprising was it for you after the Raiders (6-5) came off a three game win streak then lost to the Chiefs (10-1) in a close game but just totally got broadsided in Atlanta 43-6 last Sunday to the Falcons (4-7)?

#2 Raiders quarterback Derek Carr said it was by far the team’s worst game of the season with Carr himself turning the ball over four times for a total of five Raider turnovers.

#3 Carr threw for 215 yards and threw for one interception Carr just couldn’t get anything going when the Raiders got in the red zone and Carr was constantly scrambling was this because he wasn’t getting protection from the offensive line or because the Falcons just were able to force Carr to turn the ball over?

#4 Further more the Raiders were able to score a field goal in just each of the second and third quarters that was all the offense they could muster up. The Falcons came on like one of those legendary New England Patriot teams from their championship days.

#5 The Raiders now travel to New Jersey to play at the Meadowlands against footballs only remaining winless team the New York Jets (0-11) the Jets got whipped on their own home field against the Arizona Cardinals 30-10. Taking that into account do you see this one being a cinch for the Raiders or one of those “on any given Sunday” games?

Join Rich Perez for the Raiders podcasts each Saturday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: 49ers take on their second straight first place team Bills on Monday Night Football

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San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman in his first game back against the Los Angeles Rams had a tackle and an interception in the 49ers win in Los Angeles on Sun Nov 29, 2020 (file photo from the dailysnark.com)

On San Francisco 49ers podcast with J Hawkes:

#1 Joe last Sunday’s win for the 49ers (5-6) a close contest against a very good Los Angeles Rams (7-4) team 23-20 which do you lend to the win good coaching, defense consistent, or kicker Robbie Gould’s field goal towards the end of the game for the win?

#2 How key was corner Richard Sherman one tackle and one interception from what you saw of Sherman would you say yes he’s back?

#3 Joe, considering the injuries and Covid cases the 49ers haves sustained getting a win over the Rams a first place team in the NFC West had to be commendable all things considered.

#4 Joe, talk about the switch for the 49ers with the Santa Clara shutdown the 49ers now relegated to play most likely the rest of their season in Arizona how much does that change their chances to have that home field feel or at this juncture it really doesn’t make a difference with no crowds.

#5 The Buffalo Bills (8-3) come into Glendale having won three of their last four games and coming off a ten point win over the Los Angeles Chargers (3-8) 27-17. Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw for 157 yards and a touchdown whose been part of the success of the Bills . How do you see this match with the 49ers on Monday Night Football?

Join J Hawkes each Friday for the 49ers podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: All Santa Clara County teams looking to play elsewhere; How Warriors deal with two more positive tests; plus more

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Tara Vanderveer Stanford women’s head coach, the womens and mens basketball teams and Cardinal football team will be playing away from Stanford during the Santa Clara Covid-19 shutdown (AP News file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Tony R:

#1 Tony as you know Santa Clara County has shutdown all sports activities on any level in line with Coivd-19 protocols. The 49ers are now playing the rest of their home schedule in Arizona unless something changes in January and the Stanford Cardinal football will play their remaining games at Washington Sat Dec 5th and at Oregon State Sat Dec 12th. Stanford’s men’s next two games against Cal Poly and Loyola Marymount have been canceled and they will play at USC on Dec 13th and the Stanford women will play at UNLV Las Vegas.

#2 The Golden State Warriors reported they had two players who tested positive and team president Bob Meyers was asked how the Warriors and the NBA setting would be played outside of a bubble environment like they had last season when all teams played in Orlando.

#3 Lots of excitement surrounding the Sacramento Kings as they prepare for the 2020-21 season. Kings general manager Monte McNair feels very positive that they will sign and get Buddy Hield on board.

#4 Regarding D’Aaron Fox is excited to be on board in Sacramento and says he’s excited being committed to winning and that’s what it’s always been about and is happy to have got a contract extension in Sacramento.

#5 Tony talk about the Las Vegas Raiders crushing 43-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr turned the ball over four times for a total of five Raider turnovers. Was this team not focused or were they just resting on their laurels after a near loss to the Kansas City Chiefs the week before?

Join Tony R for Headline Sports every other Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Buffalo Bills vs. San Francisco 49ers Monday Night Football preview by Jeremiah Salmonson

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The Buffalo Bills (8-3) and quarterback Josh Allen have won four of their last five games visit State Farm Stadium in Glendale as the San Francisco 49ers play host in their first game as the home team in Arizona (en.wikipeida.org file photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The San Francisco 49ers had a breath of fresh air on Sunday. They played against the Los Angeles Rams in SoFi stadium and came out with the win 23-20. Robbie Gould hit the game winning 43 yard field goal as time expired.

It was an impressive win for a 49ers team that had been struggling lately. They had lost the previous three games coming in and most people didn’t think they would fair well against the solid Rams team. It was a positive sign for the team after having most of this season lost to injuries and poor performance.

In the 49ers next matchup, on Sunday, they will take on the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are a solid team that I think will give the 49ers trouble. Josh Allen and his big arm will test the defense of the 49ers.

Meanwhile, the 49ers still have a banged up offense missing with starting quarterback Jimmy Garropplo and tight end George Kittle among others. They will need another solid performance from their defense and enough offense to keep the Bills in check.

My prediction: I believe the San Francisco 49ers will prevail again in an upset. I wouldn’t bet money on it, but I believe the Bills will stumble against the coaching of Kyle Shanahan and company.

The game is set for Monday Night Football at 5:05 PM PST at State Farm Stadium in Glendale AZ .

 

 

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: CA’s Gov Newsom warns that a complete non essential shut down for Cali is on the table

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Photo of an empty Levis Stadium in Santa Clara during a Thursday Night Football game between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers on Thu Nov 5, 2020. Covid-19 restrictions have shutdown all sporting events in Santa Clara (AP News file photo)

On the 49ers podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 David as you know Santa Clara County is completely shut down no sporting events of any kind allowed from the elementary school to the professional level totally excluded. Now a news flash that California Governor Gavin Newsom said the state of California will eventually have to shut down instead of the current county by county.

#2 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said this whole thing came as a surprise to him and that the team was not informed of the decision to move home games elsewhere. The San Jose Spartans will also have to move their home games this Saturday as well.

#3 So this is Christmas: The 49ers are coming off their slight edge win from last Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams and now face the Buffalo Bills at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Monday Night Football. The Bills 8-3 are coming off a 27-17 win against the LA Chargers and Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw for 157 yards, touchdown and an interception.

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

 

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Ravens and Steelers third times the charm play tonight on Wednesday Night Football; Saints fined big for Covid protocol violations; plus more

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The Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) making a middle field catch against the Tennessee Titans defensive back Joshua Kalu (46) and cornerback Malcom Butler (21) at M&T Bank Stadium on Sun Nov 22. Andrews is one of the latest Ravens to test positive for Covid-19 (USA Today photo)

On Headline Sports with London:

#1 Welcome to Wednesday football as the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers will make a third attempt at playing after being postponed twice already. The two teams were going to play on Tuesday but that was switched to Wednesday because they would make the quarantine deadline and of the Ravens Coronavirus outbreaks.

#2 The Ravens reported that tight end Mark Andrews and outside linebacker Matthew Judon had tested positive last Sunday and that they would not be in the line up for Wednesday night’s game.

#3 The New Orleans Saints who are coming off a huge victory from last Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos were fined by the NFL for violating Covid-19 protocols. The fine $500,000 and the Saints had to give up their 2021 seventh round draft pick.

#4 The Las Vegas Raiders who just came off a very close loss to the Kansas Chiefs on Sun Nov 22nd and then lost to the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday by a landslide 43-6 in a game that quarterback Derek Carr called trash and a punch in the face. The lopsided loss is the Raiders second consecutive loss.

#5 The Jacksonville Jaguars (1-10) fired their general manager Dave Caldwell this week. The Jags suffered their tenth straight loss. Jaguars owner Shahid Khan hired Caldwell in 2013. The Jaguars nearly won the Super Bowl in 2018 but other than that year the team has been floundering in mediocrity.

Join London for Headline Sports each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Barbara Mason: Raiders get punched in face need a gut check after laugher in Atlanta

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A rough day at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the Las Vegas Raiders including for wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) who misses catching this pass with coverage from the Atlanta Falcons cornerback AJ Terrell (24) in the second quarter on Sun Nov 29, 2020 (photo from the Las Vegas Journal-Review)

On the Raiders podcast with Barbara:

#1 Las Vegas Raiders (6-5) quarterback Derek Carr called Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons (4-7) trash and that the 43-6 loss was a punch in the face for the city of Las Vegas and the Raiders organization.

#2 The Raiders after playing a razor close game loss against the Kansas City Chiefs last week lost their second straight game on Sunday at Mercedes Benz Stadium to the Falcons. The Raiders wound up turning the ball over five times and the defense just couldn’t stop the Falcons who were at one time an 0-4 team.

#3 You know the saying “on any given Sunday” and the way that Falcons head coach Raheem Morris had prepared the team the Falcons have shown improvement each week since Morris took over when the team was 0-4.

#4 The Falcons who were the underdogs in this game dominated both halves of the game and both sides of the football. The defense held the Raiders to a field goal in each of the second and third quarters, and Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan came out firing on all cylinders throwing for 185 yards and two touchdowns.

#5 It’s back to the drawing board as the Raiders who are on a two game losing streak head to New Jersey to face the New York Jets (0-11) at the Meadowlands on Sun Dec 6th. The Jets who have not won a game all season and lost convincingly to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday 20-3 will be the underdogs but again after the Raiders Sunday experience in Atlanta you can’t count even the Jets out.

Barbara joins Sportstalk for the Raider podcast each Tuesday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com