San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: 49ers host Seahawks as SF closes out regular season Sunday

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) reaches for the end zone against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half from Sun Dec 27, 2020 game in Seattle (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 The San Francisco 49ers (6-9) after losing three straight games and quarterback Nick Mullens they pulled out a 20-12 win over the Arizona Cardinals (8-7) in Glendale on Sunday it has to feel good to get back into the win column again.

#2 David, taking a look at the job that 49ers starter CJ Beathard did against the Cardinals throwing 182 yards and three touchdowns. Low scoring game but good enough for Beathard to get past the Cardinals.

#3 The 49ers play their last regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks (11-4). The Seahawks are coming to Arizona with a three game win streak. The Seahawks won their last game against the Los Angeles Rams 20-9. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 225 yards and one touchdown.

Join David starting next Wednesday for the Golden State Warriors podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

The 49ers lose to the Seahawks, 37-27, in Seattle as injuries continue to mount for San Francisco

DK Metcalf (44) of the Seattle Seahawks sees lots of daylight on this 46 yard carry in the first quarter as the San Francisco 49ers cornerback Emmanuel Mosley (41) gives chase at Centuylink Field in Seattle on Sun Nov 1st (seattletimes.com photo)

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

If the San Francisco 49ers had any aspirations of winning back-to-back division titles, those dreams were dashed as the Seattle Seahawks showed why they are the best team in the NFC West with a 37-27 victory in Week 8 at an empty CenturyLink Field on Sunday afternoon.

With the win, the Seahawks improve to 6-1 on the year and remain atop of the NFC West standings and keep the 49ers in the basement with a 4-4 record.

Injuries continue to snake decimate the 49ers, who saw starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and all-world tight end George Kittle leave the game late in the fourth quarter with ankle and foot injuries. Both players’ status for Thursday night’s game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium is uncertain according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Both Garoppolo and Kittle are expected to undergo further treatment on Monday.

The injuries occurred within minutes of each other early in the fourth quarter and both players retreated to the locker room for further examination. Both were listed as questionable to return to the game, but neither saw the field again for the 49ers.

When you watched Garoppolo against Seattle, he just didn’t play well. Garoppolo had trouble getting the football out of his hands quickly amid constant pressure from the Seahawks. He struggled to find the NFL’s best tight end in Kittle, who had just one catch for 14 yards as Seattle built a 27-7 lead.

For the game, Kittle finished with just two catches for 39 yards.

Garoppolo completed 11 of 16 passes for just 84 yards with no touchdowns and one interception before exiting the game in the second half with the same aggravated ankle injury that kept him out for two games. He was replaced by backup Nick Mullens.

Mullens seemed comfortable coming into the game, leading the 49ers on three touchdown drives after San Francisco was trailing 30-7. On his first drive, Mullens engineered an 11-play, 79-yard drive that was capped off by Jerick McKinnon’s 1-yard touchdown run to cut Seattle’s lead to 30-14.

On the 49ers’ next possession, Mullens finished off a six-play, 80-yard drive with a 16-yard touchdown toss to backup tight end Ross Dwelley to bring the score to 30-20. The 49ers decided to go for two to make it a one-score game, but couldn’t convert the two-point conversion.

Seattle put the game away after rookie running back DeeJay Dallas’ 1-yard touchdown run put the Seahawks up 37-20 with 3:33 left in the game.

San Francisco added a three-yard score from Mullens to rookie wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to make the score 37-27 with 1:52 left in the game. Aiyuk finished tied with fellow wide receiver Kendrick Bourne with eight catches for 91 yards. Bourne registered 81 yards in the contest.

Too little, too late for the 49ers.

The real story of the game was the performances of quarterback Russell Wilson and wide receiver DK Metcalf.

Following an uncharacteristic game in which he threw three interceptions in a 37-34 loss in overtime to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7 on the road, Wilson bounced back in major way completing 27 of 37 passes for 261 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Wilson, who is a heavy favorite to win the Most Valuable Player award this year, leads the NFL with 26 touchdown passes through eight weeks.

The 49ers had no answer for Metcalf the entire game.

Metcalf gave Seattle a 6-0 lead in the first quarter on a 46-yard touchdown catch-and-run where he went nearly untouched by San Francisco’s fifth ranked defense.

Following rookie running back JaMychal Hasty’s first-career rushing touchdown to put the 49ers up 7-6, Metcalf added his second score of the day from two-yards out to extend Seattle’s lead to 13-7.

Metcalf bounced back in Week 8 after having just two catches for 23 yards against the Cardinals, Metcalf had himself a career-day against the 49ers. The second-year wide receiver set career-highs in catches (12) and yards (161) to go along with two scores.

Defensively, Seattle’s much maligned defense had its best performance of the year in the victory over the 49ers.

The Seahawks limited the 49ers’ offense to 116 yards and had two takeaways in the first half, including an interception of Garopolo by nickelback D.J. Reed Jr. to set up Seattle’s first score. Reed Jr., who was waved by the 49ers in August, was making his Seattle debut after being activated off the non-football injury list on Saturday.

San Francisco did finish with 351 yards of total offense, but most of that came in the fourth quarter with Seattle in control of the game.

Bobby Wagner, Seattle’s All-Pro middle linebacker, continued to be the gold standard at the position with a vintage performance. Wagner was all over the field, finishing with 11 tackles and two of Seattle’s three sacks on the day.

Seattle and San Francisco will meet again in Week 17 at Levi’s Stadium to close out the 2020 season.

49ers activate Tevin Coleman and K’Waun Williams for Week 8 vs. Seattle; place Jeff Wilson Jr. on injured reserve

The San Francisco 49ers Tevon Coleman tries to get around the Kansas City Chiefs Tyrann Mathieu during Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on Feb 2, 2020. Coleman is expected back Sun Nov 1st vs Seattle Seahawks (file photo from San Francisco Chronicle) 

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

The San Francisco 49ers are getting some reinforcements just in time for Sunday’s pivotal matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. The team announced Saturday that they have activated running back Tevin Coleman and K’Waun Williams from injured reserve.

The 49ers also announced that they placed running back Jeff Wilson Jr. on injured reserve.

Wilson was named FedEx Ground Player of the Week for his huge performance against the New England Patriots in Week 7. The running back rushed for a career-high 112 yards and three touchdowns in the 49ers’ 33-6 win over the Patriots in Foxborough, MA. His three rushing scores were the most by a 49ers running back on the road since Roger Craig lit up the Los Angeles Rams with three rushing touchdowns in 1988.

Coleman has been out of action since Week 2 with a sprain knee. He joins Jerick McKinnon and JaMychal Hasty as the only healthy running backs on the roster for the 49ers. Along with Wilson, starter Raheem Mostert has been placed on IR.

Williams has been out since Week 4 with a sprained MCL. His return to the field will help bolster a 49ers’ secondary that will be tasked to slowing down wide receivers Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. Lockett is coming off a 15-catch, 200-yard and three-touchdown performance in Seattle’s 37-34 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7 in Glendale.

Operating primarily as the team’s top slot cornerback, Williams has played 55 and 67 percent of defensive snaps in each of the first four games this year. Fellow cornerbacks Emmanuel Moseley and Jason Verrett have formed a good tandem for a team that’s been without veteran Richard Sherman (calf) since Week 2.

San Francisco (4-3) currently sits in last place in a highly competitive NFC West. But a win against the Seahawks (5-1) in Week 8 would pull the 49ers within a half-game of first place Seattle, and keep pace with the surging Rams and Cardinals who are both 5-2 this season.

The 49ers are just a half-game behind the New Orleans Saints for the No. 7 seed in the NFC, though they have played one more game than the Saints, who have already taken its bye. The two teams hook up in Week 10 down in New Orleans, before the 49ers go on their bye in Week 11.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Rich Perez for Jeremiah Salmonson: Regardless of the Seahawks struggling defense Garoppolo knows their reputation

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo throws against the New England Patriots in the first half of Sun Oct 25, 2020 at Foxboro the 49ers face the Seattle Seahawks on Sun Nov 1st (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with Rich Perez for Jeremiah:

#1 San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said that the Seattle Seahawks defense will be well prepared for Sunday despite allowing a league high for yardage.

#2 The Seahawks had a struggle with the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale last Sunday when they lost in overtime 37-34. Again Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and the offense provided enough points to win but the defense couldn’t keep the Cardinals out of the red zone for that overtime portion of Sunday Night Football.

#3 Garoppolo is not looking at all the yardage that the Seahawks gave up during the season but he’s looking at what this defense has had in it’s reputation is that something Garoppolo should be concerned about?

#4 In regards to the injuries Garoppolo said, “It’s not just smooth sailing like it was last year, win after win. We’ve had ups and downs and I think that’s kind of made us battle tested.”

#5 The contest is at Centurylink Field this Sunday and there will be no 12th man as that place can get very noisy but none the less it’s a place that has been challenging for the 49ers in the past.

Rich Perez filled Jeremiah for the 49ers podcasts Saturday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

49ers’ defense will have its hands full with Seahawks’ Russell Wilson in key NFC West showdown

The Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) on the move to throw to a receiver during Oct 11, 2020 game against the Minnesota Vikings at Centurylink Field in Seattle in first half action (AP News photo)

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

Its no big secret that the key for any team into stopping the Seattle Seahawks is to corral quarterback Russell Wilson.

Easier said than done.

Wilson’s uncanny ability to avoid would-be pass rushers and find an open DK Metcalf or Tyler Lockett downfield for big gains has become routine this season. You almost take him for granted because we expect him to turn a broken play into a great play.

Both Lockett (45 catches/542 yards/7 TD) and Metcalf (24 catches/519 yards/5 TD) have made huge plays for Wilson this year that has put Wilson in prime position to win his first MVP award.

Simply put, Wilson is amazing at playing quarterback in the NFL.

San Francisco’s defense will have its hands full with Wilson as the 49ers (4-3) travel to the Pacific Northwest for a pivotal NFC West matchup against the Seahawks (5-1) on Sunday afternoon from CenturyLink Field.

The last time the 49ers were in Seattle, Week 17 of last season, San Francisco prevailed 26-21 in a heart-wrenching game that was decided by a goal-line stop by then-rookie linebacker Dre Greenlaw on Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister. Greenlaw’s tackle wrapped up the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed for San Francisco in front a loud sellout crowd.

This time around, the division isn’t on the line and there won’t be any raucous fans at CenturyLink Field due to the pandemic. But a win for the 49ers would pull them within half-game of first-place Seattle, making for a tighter race with both the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams both at 5-2.

The same Arizona Cardinals that handed the Seahawks their first loss of the season last week, 37-34, in overtime in Phoenix on Sunday Night Football. In that game, Wilson completed 33 of 50 passes for 388 yards and three touchdowns, but tossed three costly interceptions in losing for the first time in his nine-year career when leading by four or more points at halftime.

He had been 59-0 in such situations according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Oh yeah, that same Arizona Cardinals team that shocked the 49ers 24-20 in Week 1 at Levi’s Stadium.

You don’t think the 49ers, the reigning NFC champions, wasn’t paying attention like the rest of America when Wilson looked mortal in game for once this season?

The answer would be a resounding yes.

Despite season-ending injuries to defensive end Nick Bosa (knee) and defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (knee), along with cornerback Richard Sherman (calf) and defensive end Dee Ford (back) both missing significant time this season, San Francisco’s defense has remained steady this season.

The unit ranks fifth in total defense this season allowing just 19.4 points per game, which includes the 43-17 home drubbing at the hands of the Miami Dolphins that left the 49ers at 2-3 and many declaring their season over.

Seattle’s offense ranks tops in the NFL in scoring, averaging 33.8 points per game. Wilson leads all quarterbacks in touchdowns (22) and passer rating (119.4) to go along with just six interceptions.

Last week, the San Francisco’s defense played without both starting safeties in Jaquiski Tartt (groin) and Jimmie Ward (quad) and limited the New England Patriots to just 241 yards of total offense in a 33-6 demolishing in an empty Gillette Stadium. The defense recorded four interceptions.

San Francisco must find a way to generate a consistent pass rush against Wilson, who is an escape artist when the pocket collapses. Tackling Wilson is harder than tackling a tadpole in shallow water.

Through seven games, the 49ers have sacked opposing quarterbacks 19 times this season, which is good for ninth in the NFL. Defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr. leads the 49ers with 3.5 sacks.

Fellow defensive end Arik Armstead has had some success at getting to Wilson in the past, registering 2.5 sacks in eight games.

Since the Seahawks drafted Wilson in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, he’s 12-4 against the 49ers (the most wins against any team) with 3,347 yards, 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions with a 97.9 passer rating.

With injuries to Chris Carson (mid-foot sprain), Carlos Hyde (hamstring) and Travis Homer (knee), rookie DeeJay Dallas is the only healthy running back on Seattle’s roster, so the game could be in Wilson’s hands even more come Sunday.

The last three matchups against these two rivals have come down to the final possession. So we could very well see a replay Sunday of Week 17 where Wilson has the football in his hands and San Francisco’s defense will need a stop to walk away with a victory.

 

 

 

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Jets showed some defense against Bills but still winless; Did Bucs knock Raiders off their momentum?; plus more

The New York Jets defense was full of surprises last Sunday against the Buffalo Bills holding Buffalo to only 18 points despite losing 18-10 (photo from syracuse.com)

On Headline Sports with Jessica:

#1 The New York Jets (0-7) are the laughing stock of the City of New York but yet the Jets head coach Adam Gase says he has a game plan each week. Last Sunday might have been their best game although they lost 18-10 to the Buffalo Bills (5-2) in terms of playing a good defensive game.

#2 The Las Vegas Raiders (3-3) were coming into last Sunday’s game with lots of confidence they were coming off a close seven point loss to the Buffalo on Oct 8th, then the following week Oct 11th they dominated the Kansas City Chiefs (6-1) in KC, had a restful bye week on Sun 18 but got raked at home by the Tampa Bay Bucs (5-2) 45-20 behind Bucs quarterback Tom Brady’s four touchdown afternoon.

#3 The San Francisco 49ers (4-3) who lost two tough games against two teams who were struggling the Miami Dolphins (3-3)  and the Philadelphia Eagles (2-4-1) but came but strong against the Rams (5-2) and Patriots (2-4) for two straight wins. The 49ers face the Seattle Seahawks (5-1) looking at the NFC West that’s a real tough division to win games in as the 49ers head to Seattle this Sunday.

#4 The other day Dallas Cowboys (2-5) owner Jerry Jones was on live radio at 105.5 The Fan and told the host to “shut up a moment and let me answer” after he felt he was being interrupted by the host. How much of that is frustration out of losing quarterback Dak Prescott for the season and having lost to Washington 25-3 last Sunday?

#5 The Houston Texans (5-1) announced on Wednesday that they have closed their training facility due to a positive Covid-19 test from second-year offensive guard Max Scharping . The Texans said that the facility will remain closed for deep cleaning and they will take advantage of the bye week on Nov 1st and test players and get the facility ready for their next game Nov 8th against the Jaguars (1-6) in Jacksonville.

Jessica Kwong does Headline Sports every other Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

San Francisco 49ers game preview: 49ers head to Seattle looking for third straight win

San Francisco 49er corner Richard Sherman (25) takes a dive to stop the Arizona Cardinals run game in the opening week of the season Sun Sep 13, 2020 this was Sherman’s last game as he was placed on the IR and is eligible to return week 12 Oct 21st. (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The San Francisco 49ers are coming off an encouraging week. Last Sunday they played the significantly less intimidating New England Patriots. The Patriots still have Bill Belichick, but not Tom Brady and it shows. The 49ers were able to pull out a big win 33-6.

This week the 49ers are faced with a more daunting task. They will travel to Seattle where they take on the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle is coming off a disappointing loss in a wild game last Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. The Seahawks are of course division rivals of the 49ers and sit at a record of 5-1 on the season.

The 49ers are still struggling with injuries. On the defensive side of the ball they are obviously feeling the loss of Richard Sherman who even at his advanced age plays a big role in the 49ers defensive scheme. The 49ers will hope to expose the weak defense of the Seahawks.

Week eight’s matchup will be enjoyable to watch nonetheless. It will be a strong defense in the 49ers going up against a weak defense for the Seahawks. Seattle has a strong offense that will rival the trickery the 49ers can present on that side of the ball.

The matchup is set for 1:25 PST on Sunday in Seattle.

My Pick: Although I believe the Seahawks will be motivated, I think the determination of the 49ers will win out. The 49ers have not been happy with where they sit in the division. Obviously injuries have played a big role in that, but I think a chance to match the first place Seahawks win total so far will be a motivating factor. 49ers win 24-17.

Jeremiah does the 49ers previews each Wednesday and 49ers podcasts Saturday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Patriots host Raiders Sunday with Newton and Carr on a roll; plus much more

In a last second effort by New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) was stopped at the Seattle Seahawks goal line as the Patriots missed a game winning touchdown in the fourth quarter Sun Sep 20, 2020 at Century Link Field in Seattle (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with London:

#1 A close game for the New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday in a five point loss 35-30. The Pats even made a valiant comeback scoring 13 points on the Seahawks in the closing moments of the fourth quarter.

#2 The Patriots Cam Newton despite the loss is the quarterback that his teammates have full faith in the Patriots now 1-1 saw Newton throw 30-44 for 397 yards with an interception and one touchdown.

#3 The Las Vegas Raiders are coming of a huge 34-24 win over the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football and play the Patriots on Sunday. Seeing how Newton has thrown against teams like the Miami Dolphins and the Seahawks how do you see him matching up against the Raiders this Sunday?

#4 In five of the last nine games the Quakes have given up five or more goals per game which a MLS record for most goals given up by a team in five games or more what does that say about the team and their defense.

#5 The Quakes in their last game on Wed 23 were shutout 5-0 by the Colorado Rapids the Quakes have tied three games and have lost two games and now face the toughest team in the MLS with LAFC in LA this Sunday

London Marq does Headline Sports podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: LA County gives ok for Pac 12 football; Colts Rivers struggles in first game; plus more

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Phillip Rivers who threw for two interceptions and lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday will throw against the Minnesota Vikings at the Hoosier Dome (file photo from coltbeat.com

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq:

#1 Los Angeles County did not dispute or object to the idea to start the Pac 12 season for the USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins football teams. The county said that as long as the athletic departments of both schools are adhering to the public health restricts pertaining to safety protocols on Covid-19 the county will permit both schools to play football this season.

#2 Critics are questioning if the Indianapolis Colts made a mistake in signing quarterback Phillip Rivers to a hefty $25 million one year deal. On Sunday Rivers threw into traffic getting picked off twice, Rivers did throw for 363 yards and the Colts lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-20.

#3 The New England Patriots face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football at Centurylink Field in Seattle. The Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said of Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson that he doesn’t see anyone better in the NFL.

#4 London, after losing three straight the San Jose Earthquakes were able to losing another three games. They have tied three of their last four games including a 1-1 tie with the Portland Timbers on Wednesday night a game they were leading 1-0 before the Timbers tied it up.

#5 The Quakes get another shot at the Timbers on Saturday after seeing the Timber on Wednesday and again this Saturday and being another home match for the Quakes do you see this being an advantage for the Quakes.

London does Headline Sports each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headlines Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: Niners favored by a TD; Ravens ten point favorites; plus more

@Ravens photo: Baltimore Ravens host the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Playoffs on Saturday

On Headlines Sports with Tony Renteria:

#1 Will the task be easy for the San Francisco 49ers to get by the Minnesota Vikings Saturday or it’s not as easy as it looks. The 49ers picked by seven. In San Francisco’s last game they just got by the Seattle Seahawks by the slimmest of margins 26-21 and for the Minnesota Vikings they just got by the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome 26-20 on a pass to Kyle Rudolph from quarterback Kirk Cousins for the win.

#2 The Ravens have been a pick as on odds favorites to make the Super Bowl, they’ve had lots of rest since their last game of the regular season on Dec 29th against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 28-10 win. It was a game where quarterback LaMar Jackson sat out to rest for the playoffs as Jackson and the Raven are favored to beat the Tennessee Titans this Saturday by 10 points.

#3 The Houston Texans are in Kansas City the Chiefs for Saturday’s playoff match the Chiefs are favored by nine in this one. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mohomes in his last game against San Diego went 16-25 for 174 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

#4 The Seattle Seahawks are in Green Bay, the Packers are favored by four points this one could be even closer than the odds. This game will feature two of the NFC’s best quarterbacks for Seattle Russell Wilson in NFC Wild Card game was 18-30 for 325 yards and for Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rogers on the last day of the season on Dec 29th vs. Detroit went 27-55 for a whopping 323 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Tony does Headline Sports each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com