The San Francisco 49ers Don’t Need Christian McCaffrey

The San Francisco 49ers Don’t Need Christian McCaffrey

David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Remember how I mentioned, back in the Spring, that the San Francisco 49ers  are the most misunderstood and misperceived organization in the NFL? Through six games this  season, though, here’s what I understand about the 49ers; that Kyle Shanahan’s offense is still  REALLY good. What I also understand is that it’s fair to ask this question; do the 49ers really  need Christian McCaffrey this season?

What may be forgotten is that the 49ers were actually still a really good team before they traded  for McCaffrey in October of 2022. Particularly on offense, the 49ers were were still second in  scoring and fourth in yards per game in 2019. The 49ers won the NFC Championship with three  different running backs rushing for over 500 yards, and the 49ers 144.1 rushing yards per game  was second in the NFL behind only the Baltimore Ravens 206 rushing yards per game.

After a 2020 season marred by injuries, the 49ers returned to the NFC Championship in 2021  with an offense that ranked 13th in scoring and seventh in yards per game. Elijah Mitchell led the  49ers with 963 yards rushing, with Deebo Samuel in second with 365 rushing yards and eight  touchdowns. The 49ers were seventh in the NFL with 127.4 rushing yards per game.

In the 49ers first seven games in 2022, before McCaffrey arrived, they had four games with 100+  rushing yards. That’s still 120.7 rushing yards per game. Through six games this season, the  49ers are fourth in the NFL with 158 rushing yards per game. Not to mention, the 49ers are fifth  in the NFL with 262 passing yards per game, second in the NFL with 420 yards per game and  seventh in the NFL with 27 points per game. Those numbers seem pretty good to me.

I remember watching the 49ers offense before McCaffrey got to San Francisco, and those  offenses could still spin defenses in circles. Kyle Shanahan is the second-best offensive play caller in the NFL, behind only Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, and his offenses have  always been the most sophisticated in the NFL. The way they utilize pre-snap motion and  misdirection is incredible, and their offense is a well-orchestrated symphony when they are at  their best.

This year, Brock Purdy led the NFL in yards per attempt. He’s also completing 65.4 percent of  his passes and has thrown of 1,629 yards with nine touchdowns to just four interceptions. In  addition, George Kittle is now tied for the NFL lead with five touchdowns, and Brandon Aiyuk,  Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings are each averaging over 15 yards per reception.

As for 49ers running back Jordan Mason, he leads the NFL with 609 rushing yards (Baltimore  Ravens running back, who is only 37 yards behind, hasn’t played this week yet). He’s on pace  for 1,725 rushing yards this season.

All of this suggests that the 49ers maybe don’t need McCaffrey this season. Would it be nice for  the 49ers if they had him? Obviously. He’s one of the best running backs of this generation. But  as we saw in the years leading up to his arrival in San Francisco, and as we’re seeing through six  games this season, the 49ers are just fine without him.

The 49ers are starting to find their rhythm offensively. Brock Purdy hasn’t taken a step back at  all, and the receivers are now healthy. Do the 49ers really need McCaffrey to rush back this  season? Does McCaffrey really want to rush back from injury? He may be one of the best  running backs, and players, in the NFL. But considering what the 49ers have done on offense so  far this season, they look like they will be just fine if McCaffrey is out for an extended period of  time, if not the rest of the season.


Source link

Arizona Cardinals Lose Starting OL vs San Francisco 49ers

Arizona Cardinals OL Will Hernandez went down on the field in the fourth quarter of play against the San Francisco 49ers after having his knee rolled into from behind while blocking.

Hernandez was ruled out for the rest of action with a knee injury.

Hernandez has been a massive part of Arizona’s offensive line for the last two seasons, and some would argue he’s one of their top performers in the trenches on either side of the ball.

Hernandez was helped off the field by multiple trainers and went to the blue medical tent on the sideline. Trystan Colon took his place.

The Cardinals saw Hernandez start every game last season, and he started all five to begin the 2024 campaign.

Arizona’s offensive line has been fairly banged up to start the year, more specifically on the right side of the line.

In Week 1, starting right tackle Jonah Williams suffered a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve. Backup right tackle Kelvin Beachum has dealt with hamstring injuries through the last two weeks while Jackson Barton and Charlie Heck have also taken snaps at the position.

Make sure to bookmark Cardinals On SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more.

– Pros, Cons of Cardinals Trading Budda Baker
– Cardinals Make Final Roster Moves vs 49ers
– 49ers Sweep Cardinals in Staff Predictions


Source link

Washington State 54-52 San José State (Sep 20, 2024) Game Recap

PULLMAN, Wash. — — Dylan Paine scored on a 7-yard run in the second overtime, John Mateer ran it in on the mandatory two-point conversion and Washington State rallied last in a wild 54-52 victory over San Jose State on Friday night.

Emmett Brown answered with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Nick Nash for San Jose State (3-1), but Brown lost the ball under heavy pressure on the two-point try and the Cougars recovered for their second straight 4-0 start under third-year coach Jake Dickert.

Washington State turned a 10-7 first-quarter deficit into a 24-17 lead at halftime thanks to Mateer’s 1-yard touchdown run and a pair of touchdown passes to tight end Cooper Mathers covering 4 and 8 yards.

Brown, who transferred after spending last season as a backup at Washington State, led the Spartans to touchdowns on all three third-quarter possessions. He passed to Nash for a 19-yard score and ran it in from a yard out before Floyd Chalk IV scored on an 18-yard run to give San Jose State a 38-24 lead heading to the fourth quarter.

Mateer connected with Kyle Williams for a 13-yard touchdown with 13:41 remaining. Mateer hit Josh Meredith for a 36-yard touchdown after the Spartans turned the ball over on downs. But Dean Janikowski missed the point-after kick and WSU trailed 38-37.

Kyle Thornton’s interception gave the Cougars the ball at the Spartans’ 32-yard line. Mateer hit Meredith for a 31-yard gain and Paine ran it in on the next play. WSU’s lead was 43-38 after a two-point try failed.

Brown connected with TreyShun Hurry for a 20-yard touchdown on fourth-and-10 and passed to Nash for two points and a 46-43 Spartans’ lead with 26 second to go.

That was enough time for Mateer to hit Williams for a 32-yard gain before running for 8 more, setting up Janikowski’s 52-yard field goal to send it to OT.

Redshirt freshman Ethan O’Connor picked off Brown to end San Jose State’s first extra possession. DJ Harvey picked off Mateer to end WSU’s first possession.

Mateer finished with 390 yards on 26-for-46 passing with four touchdowns and two picks. He also ran for 111 yards and a score. Mateer, a sophomore, has 11 touchdown passes and six rushing scores in his first four career starts. Williams had eight catches for 138 yards.

Brown completed 35 of 54 passes for 375 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Nash finished with 16 receptions for 152 yards and two touchdowns. He entered the game leading the nation in catches (34), receiving yards (485) and touchdown catches (6). Chalk carried 11 times for 94 yards and two touchdowns. He scored on a 66-yard run on the Spartans’ second play from scrimmage.

UP NEXT

Washington State: Travels to play the Boise State Broncos on Sept. 28.

San Jose State: Hosts the Nevada Wolf Pack on Oct. 5.

——

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football


Source link

wsu cougars quarterback photo

Washington State vs. San Jose State: How to watch the game

The undefeated Washington State Cougars are gearing up to host the San Jose State Spartans in a college football face-off Friday night.

Keep reading to find out broadcast times, where to watch, how to listen to the game and more.

What time is the WSU-Spartans game?

The match is slated for a 7 p.m. PT kickoff on Friday, Sept. 20 at Washington State’s Gesa Field at Martin Stadium during Family Weekend.

What TV channel is the WSU-Spartans game on?

The WSU-San Jose State game is airing nationally on The CW. In Seattle, that is ARC Seattle – KUNS channel 51. In Spokane, that is KSKN channel 22. In Yakima-Tri-Cities, that is on CW9. Portland’s CW is KRCW channel 32.

Washington State #10 (QB) John Mateer during the 116th Boeing Apple Cup college football game between the Washington Huskies and the Washington State Cougars on September 14, 2024, at Lumen Field in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Jesse Beals/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

How do I listen to the WSU-Spartans game on the radio?

The game will be broadcast on the Washington State Sports Network from Learfield. The 20-station football network spans from Alaska to British Columbia to Oregon and across Washington state, and can be heard worldwide on the Varsity Network app and Sirius XM Satellite radio. 

Cougar football broadcasts begin two hours before kickoff and conclude with post-game interviews and the Coug Talk call-in show. Flagship radio stations are KXLY 920AM/100.7 FM in Spokane and KHTR 104.3 FM in Pullman. 

Games can also be heard in Seattle on KTTH 770 AM with select games on Seattle Sports 710 AM. Chris King was named the “Voice of the Cougs” this season. Jessamyn McIntyre and Alex Brink are also on the broadcast team.

How are the WSU Cougs playing this season?

Both teams holding a 3-0 record, Washington State in the Pac-12 Conference and San Jose State in the Mountain West Conference.

Washington State has had a strong opening for the 2024 season, commencing with a striking 70-30 victory over Portland State. Further affirming their prowess, the Cougars clinched a 37-16 win against Texas Tech in Pullman followed by a thrilling 24-19 win in the Apple Cup against the University of Washington in Seattle last Saturday.

In the spectacular game against Texas Tech, quarterback John Mateer led the Cougars by setting a Washington State University record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 197 yards. The Cougars’ rushing prowess was highlighted as they amassed 301 yards and four touchdowns. Complementing the offensive success, the defense forced four turnovers. In the subsequent Apple Cup clash, Mateer continued to impress by rushing for two touchdowns. Remarkably, the Cougars’ defense stood strong at a critical moment, making a crucial fourth-down stop at the one-yard line to cement their victory.

Looking back to the previous season, Washington State recorded a 5-7 overall performance, including a 2-7 mark in Pac-12 play. Jake Dickert, the head coach holding an 18-16 career record, is now in his third full season and has been significant in the team’s upward trajectory.

The Cougars’ most recent victory in the Apple Cup was a remarkable event, not just for being the second win in the last four seasons, but also for its notable moments. The historic September showdown marked the earliest meeting in the series and saw a crowd of 57,567 at Lumen Field in Seattle. The defense’s performance in holding the University of Washington under 20 points was only the second occurrence since 1999. 

For those unable to attend the game at Gesa Field, fans can watch the live broadcast on The CW at 7 p.m. on Friday, and radio enthusiasts can listen to the play-by-play on the local sports network.

MORE NEWS FROM FOX SEATTLE

New lighting along Seattle’s 3rd Avenue aimed at improving atmosphere

Tacoma duo accused of murder in fake paid-for-sex scheme with stripper

Sound Transit faces backlash over soaring costs of West Seattle light rail

WSP search for bicyclist accused of throwing rocks at vehicles along I-90

This popular Seattle restaurant, and Anthony Bourdain favorite, is closing its doors

To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle newsletter.


Source link

Update from the San Francisco 49ers on WR Ricky Pearsall

“San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was released from the hospital this afternoon as he continues to recover from a bullet wound to his chest.

“He and his family, along with the entire San Francisco 49ers organization, would like to thank the San Francisco Police Department, emergency medical services, doctors and staff at San Francisco General Hospital.”


Source link

2023-4 NFC Championship - Detroit Lions v San Francisco 49ers

How to watch the San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans preseason game tonight: Livestream options, starting time, more

Deommodore Lenoir #2 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a fumble during the third quarter of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Levi’s Stadium on Jan. 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, CA.

Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images


NFL preseason football kicks off in a serious way this weekend, with all 32 professional football teams taking the field. For San Francisco 49ers fans and Tennessee Titans fans, the real action is on Saturday, when the two teams will face off at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. San Francisco is unlikely to play its healthy starters (though Dominick Puni is expected to take the field) while Tennessee is expected to play most of their starters for at least one drive.

Today’s game is the first chance for 49ers and Titans fans (and fantasy football lovers) to see both teams in action and assess their potential for the coming NFL season. Keep reading to find out how and when to watch the preseason game tonight, even if you don’t have cable or live out-of-market. 


How and when to watch today’s San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans NFL preseason game

The San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans NFL preseason game will be played on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT). The NFL preseason game will stream on NFL+ (nationwide), and will air locally on the following channels:

  • San Francisco, CA: CBS (KPIX 5), CW Bay Area
  • Nashville, TN: ABC (WRKN News 2)

You can stream the game locally on ABC and CW via Sling TV. Those in a CBS media market can stream the game live on Paramount+.

Note: CBS Essentials and Paramount+ are both subsidiaries of Paramount Global.


How and when to watch the San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans game without cable

If you don’t live in the San Francisco, CA or Nashville, TN media market, the only way to watch today’s 49ers vs. Titans game is with NFL+. (Streaming options will require an internet provider.)

Watch the San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans game live with NFL+

If you want to catch tonight’s game live, and all the other NFL games happening this preseason, check out NFL+. The premium streaming service, starting at $40 per year (or $7 per month), offers access to all NFL games happening this preseason — even out-of-market games — on all supported devices. The streaming service also offers access to NFL Network on all supported devices.

To boost your NFL experience even further, you can upgrade to NFL+ Premium with NFL RedZone and watch up to eight NFL games simultaneously.

Top features of NFL+:

  • You get access to all NFL preseason games, including those that are out of market, on any supported device (including TV).
  • NFL+ lets you watch stream local and primetime regular season games on your phone or tablet, but not your TV.
  • It includes the NFL Network (and NFL RedZone with NFL+ Premium), so it’s a good option for those who are looking to stream football on the go.

Livestream the 49ers vs. Titans game locally on Sling TV

If you live in a local media market and don’t have a cable TV subscription, one of the most cost-effective ways to watch tonight’s game, and all the major sporting events happening this fall, is through a subscription to Sling TV. We suggest leveling up your coverage to get more NFL games this fall with the Orange + Blue tier.

That Orange + Blue plan normally costs $60 per month, but the streamer currently offers a half-off promotion for your first month, so you’ll pay just $30. For the least expensive Olympic-watching option, the Blue plan includes the channels NBC, USA and E!, starting at $45 per month ($22.50 for your first month). 

The streamer is also currently offering big savings on four months of the Orange + Blue tier plus the Sports Extra plan when you prepay for the Sling TV Season Pass. The Sports Extra plan includes Golf Channel and Big Ten Network among others. Prepay for four months of the Sling TV Season Pass and spend $219, reduced from $300.

Because Sling TV does not carry CBS, Sling subscribers will want to add Paramount+ to their bundle.

Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue plan:

  • Sling TV is our top choice for streaming major sporting events like NASCAR.
  • There are 46 channels to watch in total, including local NBC, Fox and ABC affiliates (where available).
  • You get access to most local NFL games and nationally broadcast games at the lowest price.
  • All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.
  • You can add Golf Channel, NBA TV, NHL Network, NFL RedZone, MLB Network, Tennis Channel and more sports-oriented channels (19 in total) via Sling TV’s Sports Extras add-on.

If you’re anxiously waiting for the 2024-5 NFL season to begin, now is a great time to check out Amazon’s NFL Fan Shop. The Amazon NFL Fan Shop is filled to the brim with officially licensed fan gear: You’ll find jerseys, team flags, T-shirts, hoodies and more, including tons of great gear for the NFL fan in your life. There are plenty of great deals awaiting you at Amazon, too, including some must-see deals on TVs for watching sports.

Tap the button below to head directly to the NFL Fan Shop page on Amazon and select your favorite team.



Source link