Tag: San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: 49ers just couldn’t seal the deal on Giants in fourth quarter, fall 27-23

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Photo from mercurynews.com: SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Nick Mullens (4) throws against the New York Giants in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, Nov. 12, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

On the 49ers podcast with David:

#1 The New York Giants just got by the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football 27-23. The game was tied at 20-20 going into the fourth quarter.

#2 Quarterback Nick Mullens of San Francisco threw for 27-39, 259 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. How will Dave rate Mullens’ Sunday performance?

Join David each Tuesday for the 49ers podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

49ers Collapse Again on Primetime, Lose 27-23 to Giants

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Photo credit: @49ers

By: Joe Lami

SANTA CLARA — In life, there are only three certainties: death, taxes, and the 49ers blowing a half-time lead. On Monday Night, closing out a game continued to be a problem for San Francisco, as they dropped their third game of the season with a halftime lead. It also marks the sixth time the 49ers have conceded a fourth-quarter lead under Kyle Shanahan.

This time, they handed the New York Giants their second win of the season and Eli Manning his 36th fourth-quarter comeback of his career in the 27-23 loss at Levi’s Stadium on Monday Night Football.

Finishing has been a staple of Shanahan press conferences all season, yet the second-year head coach can’t seem to correct the problem that has been following him since his epic Super Bowl LI collapse.

The 49ers went into the half with a 13-10 lead thanks to Robbie Gould knocking down field goals from 53 and 36 yards and Matt Breida finding paydirt on a three-yard rush.

Breida later caught an 11-yard touchdown pass, becoming the first 49er to score on a rush and a catch since December 2012.

However, the defense started to collapse in the third allowing ten points in just 3:38 to bring the Giants back into the game. Big plays set up the Giants with excellent field position that they capitalized on to bring things even to start the fourth.

The 49ers had trouble getting to the quarterback all game long with an uninspiring pass rush on an offensive line that was allowing four sacks per game coming in. Defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh, continued his overly conservative play-calling leading to the only sack of the game coming in the fourth quarter on a third-down play with the game tied. It was one of just three QB hits the 49ers collected since the blitz was hardly dialed up.

On the subsequent drive, the 49ers drove downfield but had to settle with a field goal instead of putting the game away.

“I thought we had a chance to step on their throat there and we didn’t. We let them back in it fast. [We] kept them around too long and then we didn’t make the plays at the end and had every opportunity to and just as a team, players, coaching staff, we didn’t get it done” said Shanahan.

The Giants took over the game-winning drive with 2:46 remaining.

The 49ers took two defensive penalties to extend the Giants drive that ended with Manning throwing his third touchdown of the game and the first for Sterling Shepard.

Manning finished throwing 19-of-31 for 188 yards and the three scores for a 110.7 passer rating. He found his favorite receiver, Odell Beckham Jr., four times for 73 yards with two of them going for touchdowns, both on blown coverages.

Saquon Barkley was handed off to 20 times for 67 yards, averaging just 3.4 per carry.

In his second career game, Nick Mullens came down to earth throwing 27-of-39 for 250 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. A bobbled catch from Marquise Goodwin caused the second one. Overall, Mullens did everything you could’ve asked from a third-string quarterback making his second career start.

George Kittle was once again the most reliable receiver for the 49ers, catching nine of 10 targets for 83 yards.

The 49ers now head into the bye week with a 2-8 record, giving Shanahan an extra week to figure out how to finish a game.

Can Mullens Do It Again? Previewing the QB’s Second Start

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Photo credit: @NBCS49ers

By: Joe Lami

There are two uncertainties heading into San Francisco’s Monday Night’s contest against the New York Giants.

The first is the location of the game. On Saturday night, a report came out that the game could be moved from poor air quality due to the devastating Camp Fire. The league has said that the game can be relocated to Arizona or another NFL stadium that has the right infrastructure. There’s also a possibility that the game gets moved to Tuesday.

The other uncertainty is how quarterback, Nick Mullens will perform in his second straight NFL start. He impressed everyone in last Thursday’s pummeling of the Oakland Raiders, but a question remains if the Raiders were serious competition.

Mullens made 49ers’ history in his debut throwing 16 of 22 for 262 yards, three touchdowns equaling a 151.9 QB rating. He was effective by getting the ball out fast and quickly progressing through his reads.

Shanahan will likely again gameplan Mullens to throw quick, intermediate passes that are set up by a strong run game. If Mullens can once again quickly progress through his reads and accurately pass the ball, he should have no difficulty shredding through a mediocre Giants’ defense.

The 1-8 Giants’ main downfall has been their offense. Even with Odell Beckham Jr., quarterback, Eli Manning has been bad, throwing just eight touchdowns on the season. His offensive line hasn’t helped either, allowing 31 sacks on the season.

The lone bright spot on offense has been rookie running back, Saquon Barkley. The former Heisman winner has rushed for 519 yards and five touchdowns so far making him the front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Luckily for the Niners, Matt Breida is outrushing Barkley, giving no reason why they shouldn’t destroy the second worst team in the NFL when game time comes.

Prediction:
San Francisco 24
New York 10

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: Expectations high, can Mullens take 49ers to victory on Monday Night Football?

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mercurynews.com photo: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens even gets congratulations from Oakland Raiders players after the 49ers victory over the Raiders on Thursday Night Football November 1st in Levis Stadium Santa Clara

On the 49ers podcast with Joe:

#1 The San Francisco 49ers got a huge victory on Thursday against the Oakland Raiders in Santa Clara with third string quarter (now first string) Nick Mullens under center how impressive was his outing throwing against Oakland.

#2 Mullens went 16-22 for 262 yards and three touchdowns for the 34-3 win.

#3 Just getting their second win of the season alone had to be monumental considering all the 49ers have been through this season.

#4 Joe talks about what impresses him most about Mullens work in the pocket and the protection he got from the 49ers’ line.

#5 The 49ers host the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. Will it be another 49ers victory or turn out the lights, the party’s over?

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

Mullens earns second start as a 49er

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Photo credit: @NBCS49ers

By Jeremy Harness

After he torched the Raiders last Thursday night, the 49ers named Nick Mullens the team’s starting quarterback for a second straight week.

The 49ers will look to get their second win in a row when they take on the 1-7 New York Giants at Levi’s Stadium Monday night, and Mullens hopes to take them there.

He got the first start of his NFL career against Oakland, and he did not disappoint at all, throwing for three touchdowns with no interceptions in a 34-3 blowout win.

Mullens will likely lean heavily on running back Matt Breida, who has battled ankle and shoulder injuries all year. Breida will have his workload increased, as fellow back Raheem Mostert, who emerged in last Thursday’s game, will miss the rest of the season after suffering a gruesome injury to his right forearm in the second half against the Raiders.

Breida’s backup is Alfred Morris, who did not see very much action against Oakland but could see his workload go up slightly on Monday night.

On the defensive side of the ball, the 49ers will have to deal with rookie back Saquon Barkley, who had 111 total yards against Washington two weeks ago, and he has more than 100 yards from scrimmage in all but one game this season.

The Giants have named Eli Manning its starter for Monday night, but he has struggled mightily for the past two seasons. He threw for 316 yards against the Redskins in their previous game, he tossed one touchdown pass but also two interceptions.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Mullens will be starter for next game against New York Giants on Monday Night

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Photo credit: @NBCS49ers

On the San Francisco 49ers podcast with David:

#1 San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens, needless to say, great outing last Thursday. How is his prognosis to be the starter against the New York Giants next week?

#2 For Mullens, a great Thursday night last week. 16 passes, 22 attempts, 262 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.

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

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: Was the win for SF because Mullens is a good quarterback or the Raiders were just bad?

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@ 49ers photo: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens gets congratulations from 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan during Thursday’s game against the Oakland Raiders at Levis Stadium

On the 49ers podcast with Joe:

#1 Was this win against the Oakland Raiders a matter of 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens having great talent and being that good or the Raiders were just that bad.

#2 For Mullens a great night 16 passes, 22 attempts, 262 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions

#3 Mullens said after the game that he was there for a reason do you see him starting next Monday night against the New York Giants?

#4 Mullens quarterback rating was the highest of a 49ers quarterback in six years after the win against the Raiders on Thursday night.

#5 The 49ers host the New York Giants Monday night, Joe sets the stage for this game.

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

Mullens, 49ers Embarrass Raiders 34-3 on Thursday Night Football

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Photo credit: sportingnews.com

By: Joe Lami

SANTA CLARA–The Nick Mullens era has arrived in San Francisco. In his first NFL start, the 49ers’ third-string quarterback torched the Raiders en route to a 34-3 shellacking on Thursday Night Football.

Brett Favre, Southern Mississippi’s most famous product, called the school’s record holder after the game to congratulate him on the instant success.

Mullens started en fuego, scoring on his very first drive. He never looked back, completing 16 of 22 for 262 yards and three touchdowns for a 151.9 QB rating.

Most impressively, he was able to connect with eight different receivers in the first half alone, which may have secured the starting job for the rest of the season.

“He did an awesome job today. The guys played well around him. There’s a lot on his plate coming in, and with it being his first time in a real NFL game, he started off real well, was poised and did a hell of a job,” said head coach Kyle Shanahan.

San Francisco was heading into the half with a 17-3 lead

George Kittle led the way with four catches for 101 yards and a touchdown, including an incredible 71-yard one-handed catch and run to start the third quarter with a bang.

The passing attack was beautifully set-up by Shanahan and the ability to balance with the run. Raheem Mostert ran for 86 yards and a touchdown on seven carries before he exited the game with a broken arm, ending his 2018 campaign.

Matt Breida was once again the workhorse, carrying 12 times for a bruising 44 yards.

The offensive line, which has looked shaky for most of the year, didn’t allow a sack and only surrendered two QB hits. Though, much of it seems to be due to great play-calling by Shanahan to get the ball out of Mullens’ hand quickly, but also due to the fact Mullens gets the ball out quickly and doesn’t hang onto it for too long.

The defense also had a huge game, holding the Oakland offense to 242 total yards, while not allowing a point after the 9:00 mark in the first quarter.

Derek Carr struggled, throwing 16 of 21 for 171 yards before being benched in the fourth quarter for A.J. McCarron. The 49ers’ pass rush looked legit for the first time all season, totaling seven sacks and nine QB hits. Cassius Marsh led the way with 2.5 sacks and three QB hits.

“It looked like we got after them. I thought Saleh did a good job mixing up his calls. We did a good job mixing up our stunts, and our guys won the one-on-one battles,” added Shanahan.

The mood has shifted entirely in Santa Clara after this huge win in the last Battle of the Bay (for now). It was the Niners most complete win under Shanahan and has the potential to turn the season around.

Mullens has lit a spark in the 49ers’ locker room and fan base and deserves to be the starter against the New York Giants on November 11th at 5:15 pm PT.

Battle of the Bay goes to the 49ers, who destroyed the Raiders 34-3

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Photo credit: @NBCSRaiders

By Jeremy Kahn

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — In what was called “The Battle of the Bay,” was a nightmare for the Oakland Raiders, not the San Francisco 49ers.

Nick Mullens went 16-for-22 for 262 yards and three touchdowns in his first NFL start, as the 49ers simply destroyed the Raiders 34-3 before an announced crowd of 69,592 at Levi’s Stadium on Thursday Night Football.

With the loss, the Raiders have lost four in a row and have been outscored by 85 points during the losing streak.

“I know it’s not looking pretty right now,” head coach Jon Gruden said. “I’ve heard a lot of negativity over the last six, seven months and rightfully so. But we’re going to build a championship football team here.”

This was the best NFL debut by a starting quarterback since the AFL and NFL merged in 1970, as the 49ers improved to 2-7 on the season, while the Raiders fall to 1-7.

“I’m not sure about that right now. I grew up a huge Niners fan. I also grew up a Raiders hater from growing up mainly in the AFC West, and also having a history with them. It feels good definitely. It feels good to win and I’m definitely happy for our fans,” said head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Things started well for the Raiders, as Derek Carr drove the Raiders down the field on their first series of the game that ended up with Daniel Carlson 37-yard field goal.

Unfortunately, those three points that the Raiders would score on their first ever trip to Levi’s Stadium.

“We just got outplayed. Period. Offensively, we didn’t put up enough points. We didn’t stay on the field long enough. Time of possession was clearly in their favor. A bad game offensively,” said Jared Cook.

Mullens immediately drove the 49ers down the field, as he went 3-for-3 on his initial drive as a professional that culminated with a 24-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Pierre Garcon and the 49ers never looked back.

The touchdown catch for Garcon, was his first as a member of the 49ers and his first since December 11, 2016 against the Philadelphia Eagles, while playing for the Washington Redskins.

Mullens, who was undrafted by any of the 32 NFL teams out of Southern Mississippi got the start over C.J. Beathard, who missed the game due to an injured right wrist in the 49ers 18-15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday.

The 151.9 passer rating for Mullens was the highest for a quarterback in a debut since the NFL merger.

The 31-point victory by the 49ers was the biggest victory in the series since the 49ers also beat the Raiders in their first ever meeting back in 1970.

Following a three-and-out by the Raiders on their next series, the 49ers took control of the game, as they held the ball for the next 7:24 that rolled over into the second quarter that ended with a Kendrick Bourne four-yard touchdown pass from Mullens on the 13th play of the drive.

Robbie Gould extended the 49ers lead up to 17-3 near the end of the second quarter, as he kicked a 39-yard field goal.

The 49ers lengthened the lead up to 24-3 on their first series of the third quarter, as drove the team down on just three plays. The key play on the drive happened when Mullens found George Kittle, who made a terrific one-handed catch and was finally tackled 71 yards later at the Raiders six-yard line.

“I closed my eyes, 100-percent,” said Kittle. “Yep. I just kind of stuck an arm out there and it fell in my hand,” Kittle added.

Mullens awarded Kittle on the end of the drive, as he found the big tight end for a 5-yard touchdown pass to stretch the 49ers lead up to three touchdowns.

After yet another failed drive by the Raiders that saw them go three-and-out, Raheem Mostert got in on the act, as he scored on a 52-yard touchdown run down the south sideline to stretch the lead up to 31-3 in favor of the home standing 49ers.

Unfortunately, on the 49ers next series on offense, Mostert was forced to leave the game with an arm injury.

“They didn’t tell me, but I would assume that it is a broken arm,” said Shanahan.

Gould rounded out the scoring in the fourth quarter, as he kicked a 25-yard field goal, his second field goal of the game.

It was a disastrous trip down Interstate 880 for the Raiders, who could only muster 242 yards of total offense on the evening.

Carr went 16-for-21 for 171 yards passing, but he was sacked seven times by the 49ers defense, who just manhandled the Raiders offensive line.

Doug Martin led the Raiders in rushing, as he carried the ball 11 times for 49 yards, while Jalen Richard led the Raiders in receiving, as he caught four passes for 45 yards.

“We’ve got to keep fight. We’ve got to go to get that dog. Go out there and keep fighting and fighting and fighting. Just go out there and show people that we still deserve to be in this league,” said Richard.

On the other side of things, the 49ers made it look easy, as they gained 405 yards of total offense, despite the fact that they were playing their third string quarterback, who never took an NFL snap prior to the game.

Before leaving the game with an arm injury in the third quarter, Mostert led the 49ers in rushing, as he carried the ball just seven time for 86 yards, including that 52-yard touchdown run.

Kittle led the 49ers in receiving, as he caught four passes for 108 yards, 71 of which came on one play just minutes into the third quarter that culminated with Mullens’ third touchdown pass of the game.

NOTES: Former 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this past August was presented with his Hall of Fame ring by Hall of Fame President David Baker.

Owens, who played for the 49ers from 1997-2003 skipped the ceremony in Canton, Ohio, as he received his gold jacket at his college alma mater of University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.

UP NEXT: The Raiders return to the Coliseum, as they face the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, November 11.

The 49ers next play on November 12, as they face the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.

49ers’ QB situation once again up in the air

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Photo credit: reviewjournal.com

By Jeremy Harness

SANTA CLARA–The 49ers’ injury situation has not gotten any better. In fact, it only seems to get worse with each passing week.

This time, it is quarterback C.J. Beathard–who is hurting–as may not even play Thursday. This week, he has been unable to grip a football due to an injury to his throwing hand, which is not good news as they head into tomorrow night’s game against the Raiders at Levi’s Stadium.

According to reports, Beathard will be a game-time decision, as Tom Savage, whom the team signed last week and started a handful of games last season with the Texans, is the backup.

Meanwhile, the Raiders have traded key players such as Amari Cooper and Khalil Mack this season in exchange for draft pick, so they are clearly not looking to make any headway this season anyway.

In other words, do not expect a great game on Thursday, particularly on a short week for teams that have won only one game apiece. In fact, it’s expected to be a dud. A downer. A suck-fest. Whatever you want to call it.

The 49ers did not have a full practice, but rather held a walk-through on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

Linebacker Reuben Foster and defensive back Antone Exum are both expected to miss Thursday’s game with a hamstring injury and a concussion, respectively. Meanwhile, safety Jaquiski Tartt is also not expected to play due to a shoulder injury.

Among those who are listed as questionable are receiver Pierre Garcon (shoulder, knee), whom the 49ers were actively trying to trade ahead of this week’s deadline, but found no takers. Also questionable are running backs Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert, as well as cornerback Richard Sherman.