Tag: 49ers

5 keys to Packers beating 49ers in Week 12

Five keys to the Packers beating the 49ers on Sunday at Lambeau Field.

The Green Bay Packers will welcome the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers to Lambeau Field for a pivotal battle in the NFC playoff race in Week 12. The Packers, now 7-3 after surviving at Soldier Field last week, have a chance to deliver something close to the kill shot on the 49ers, who are 5-5 and coming off a home loss to the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday.

The Packers can put themselves in “near lock” territory for the postseason with a win over the 49ers while also dealing a devastating setback to the team that sent them home in dramatic fashion last January.

Here are five keys to the Packers beating the 49ers in Week 12:

Reed vs. Lenoir

Geno Smith and the Seahawks had success in the passing game targeting slot receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who caught 10 passes in last week’s win, including a couple on the game-winning drive. Can the Packers get Jayden Reed going this week? Deommodore Lenoir is the 49ers primary slot defender, and he’s a good one overall. The 49ers have only allowed one touchdown pass on targets to the slot this season, in large part because of Lenoir’s coverage, so Reed — a top playmaker for the Packers — will be challenged Sunday. Don’t be surprised if the Packers attempt to get him a few shots down the field. As always, explosive plays will need to power the offense.

Defending extended plays

The Packers defense needs to be ready to play plaster coverage and defend against quarterback scrambles on Sunday — assuming Brock Purdy can play through a shoulder injury. Purdy is holding the ball past 2.5 seconds on almost 62 percent of his dropbacks this season, one of the highest rates among quarterbacks, and his 37 scramble attempts rank second among quarterbacks overall. Purdy is averaging 9.6 yards per attempt on extended plays and is dangerous as a scrambler, but he’s also thrown all eight of his interceptions while holding the ball past 2.5 seconds. Can the Packers shut down his scrambling and force a mistake or two on Sunday?

Protect Love

Nick Bosa might not play while dealing with hip and oblique injuries, and the 49ers pass-rush becomes one of the worst in football when he’s not on the field. The 49ers are also without Javon Hargrave, a top interior disruptor. This could be an opportunity for Jordan Love to consistently play from clean pockets. Love looked improved dealing with pressure last week, likely due to having two healthy legs, but the Packers want him playing on time from the pocket. The passing game will feel good about the matchups available downfield if Love is consistently protected on Sunday. On the other side, the Packers had success pressuring Purdy from the interior last January.

Win the turnover battle

The 49ers have 16 takeaways, including 11 interceptions (from nine different defenders), so it might be difficult for Jordan Love to snap his interception streak on Sunday. But winning the turnover battle — and avoiding giveaways — will be huge. The 49ers are 1-3 when producing one or zero takeaways this season. They are also 1-3 when turning the ball over multiple times. Winning the ball at home has to be a top priority. After losing the turnover battle in losses to the Vikings and Lions at home, the Packers need to prove they can protect the ball against a contender on Sunday at Lambeau Field.

Red zone

The red-zone winner might end up being the winner Sunday. Both of these offenses are struggling to get the ball in the end zone from inside the 20. The Packers are 19-for-39 scoring touchdowns in the red zone (48.7 percent); the 49ers are 20-for-41 (48.8 percent). Neither defense is particularly dominant inside the 20, so this is an opportunity for one (or both) offenses to get back on track in the scoring area. The Packers desperately need to show some consistency in the red zone after blowing two more scoring opportunities — with an interception and turnover on downs — last week. Moving the ball hasn’t been an issue and probably won’t be an issue Sunday. Now it’s time to start heating up inside the 20.

49ers may need to make special teams change in Week 12

An injury could force a change on special teams for the 49ers.

Injuries to defensive end Nick Bosa and quarterback Brock Purdy headline some potential health issues that could force changes on each side of the ball for the San Francisco 49ers when they visit the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

However, a concussion for rookie fourth-round wide receiver Jacob Cowing could push the 49ers into a change on special teams as well.

Cowing has handled punt return duties for the 49ers this season and sustained a concussion in Week 11 when he took a knee to the helmet on a punt return.

He was limited in Wednesday’s practice which provided some optimism that he may be able to pass concussion protocol in time to suit up Sunday. Thursday’s practice report showed Cowing as a non-participant, which throws his status for Sunday’s showdown with the Packers into doubt.

San Francisco has a handful of options to replace Cowing if he’s unable to clear protocol.

Second-year WR Ronnie Bell returned punts for the 49ers last season and worked in there during training camp. Rookie first-round WR Ricky Pearsall has also fielded punts in practice during his time with the 49ers. Pearsall also handled 15 punt returns during his two seasons at the University of Florida.

The only player to return a punt besides Cowing this year was fullback Kyle Juszczyk, but it’s unclear whether the team would want to utilize him there for an entire game. He’s also an option if the club isn’t confident in Bell or Cowing.

Veteran wide receiver Trent Taylor is also available on the practice squad. He’s spent most of his career as a reliable punt returner, and if Cowing is out there could be room for the team to elevate Taylor from the practice roster.

Cowing this season has returned 15 punts for 124 yards with a long of 31 yards. He’s also had two muffed punts, although one came when CB Darrell Luter Jr. was blocked into him.

We’ll find out Friday if Cowing has a chance to go Sunday.

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Kyle Shanahan explains Brock Purdy’s early exit from practice

Brock Purdy left Thursday’s practice early. Head coach Kyle Shanahan shed some light on that:

There’s a question mark for the San Francisco 49ers under center as they enter a crucial Week 12 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Quarterback Brock Purdy sustained a right shoulder injury in the team’s Week 11 loss to the Seattle Seahawks that head coach Kyle Shanahan classified as ‘soreness.’ Purdy was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday and Thursday’s practices.

He didn’t throw at all Wednesday in the portion of practices open to reporters. Thursday reporters noted Purdy did some light throwing before leaving the field.

Shanahan in an interview on KNBR after practice explained where things stand with the 49ers’ QB heading into Friday.

“He was still limited today,” Shanahan told host Adam Copeland. “He didn’t do as much yesterday, but did a little bit more today. He went out there and did a little bit then went back in about halfway through and rested up. Hopefully it will be feeling great on Sunday.”

It’s interesting that Shanahan said Purdy left the field to rest. There’s no real clarity on whether this is a maintenance issue for Purdy or if he’s unable to throw.

If it’s the former he should be on track to play Sunday in Green Bay. If it’s the latter we may see the team turn to backup QB Brandon Allen in the biggest game of the season.

Friday isn’t liable to provide a ton of clarity unless Purdy practices in full and isn’t on the injury report. He could also be listed as ‘questionable’ which could leave the lingering question mark hanging around until inactives are announced 90 minutes before kickoff.

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49ers may avoid facing one of Packers best defenders in Week 12

The Packers may be without CB Jaire Alexander who is dealing with a PCL tear.

It looks like the San Francisco 49ers may avoid facing one of the Green Bay Packers’ best defenders.

Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander told the Athletic’s Matt Schneidman he sustained a torn PCL in Week 8 that cost him the team’s Week 9 loss to the Detroit Lions and most of their Week 11 win over the Chicago Bears. Green Bay’s Bye was in Week 10.

Alexander, a two-time Pro Bowler and a two-time Second-Team All-Pro, missed the team’s Wednesday and Thursday practices. It doesn’t sound like he’s on track to return any time soon, or at least certainly not by Sunday. He hasn’t been officially ruled out, but it looks like the Packers’ top cornerback will be out for Week 12 when the 49ers visit. Alexander attempted returning in Chicago last week and was limited to only 10 snaps.

If Alexander doesn’t go, Schneidman speculated second-year CB Carrington Valentine would get the start. Valentine started 12 of the 17 games he appeared in as a rookie seventh-round pick last season. This year he’s played in eight games with no starts, though he did receive a lion’s share of the workload after Alexander went out in Week 11.

Carrington has allowed one touchdown as a pro and has yet to record an interception. Quarterbacks have a 82.1 passer rating when targeting him according to Pro Football Focus.

Given some of the 49ers’ struggles with their passing game this season, a team missing its best cornerback could be a significant development for them as they try and exit their offensive rut in time to make a postseason run.

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No news is bad news in 49ers Week 12 injury update

The 49ers practice report didn’t get much better Thursday.

The San Francisco 49ers continued their practice week without any major updates on the injury front.

Perhaps the best news is that running back Christian McCaffrey returned to action after getting a rest day Wednesday. He got limited sessions in to start the first two weeks after his return, so there was a small red flag that went up when he was listed as a non-participant for rest in Week 12. His return to a limited practice Thursday is a good sign that things will be business as usual Friday and he won’t be on the injury report.

The other change was a concerning one for rookie wide receiver Jacob Cowing. He was a limited participant Wednesday while working through concussion protocol. Then Thursday he was a non-participant, indicating he may have had a setback that puts his status in jeopardy for Sunday.

Here’s what the Thursday practice report looked like:

Did not participate

WR Jacob Cowing (concussion)
LB Tatum Bethune (knee)
DE Nick Bosa (hip, oblique)
DT Kevin Givens (groin)
LT Trent Williams (ankle)

No Bosa and no Williams is a pretty significant concern. Both players played through injuries in Week 11, which gives some hope they may be able to do the same in Week 12. However, Bosa is dealing with hip and oblique issues now after just being listed with a hip injury last week. He also pulled himself out of the 49ers’ most recent loss. Williams didn’t practice leading up to Week 11 which gives some optimism he may be able to do the same this week, but even a limited participation Friday would be a good sign.

Limited participation

RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, rest)
C Jon Feliciano (knee)
TE George Kittle (hamstring)
QB Brock Purdy (right shoulder)
CB Charvarius Ward (not injury related – personal matter)

Another limited workout for Purdy is certainly concerning. Kittle remains optimistic about his return for Week 12, and head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated Ward’s return to practice doesn’t guarantee he’ll be able to suit up Sunday after his absence.

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Jim Harbaugh looking to beat brother for first time: ‘Back on a team that has a chance’

After nine seasons of coaching in the college ranks, Jim returned to the NFL and will have another opportunity to beat his brother.

The Chargers and Ravens will meet this Monday night, marking the third time Jim and John Harbaugh will face off against each other.

The last time the two brothers went head-to-head was nearly 12 years ago in Super Bowl XLVII at the Superdome in New Orleans, LA, when Jim was the head coach of the 49ers.

The Ravens, led by quarterback Joe Flacco, opened with a strong first half with a 21-6 lead by halftime. Up 28-6, a power outage put America’s biggest sporting event on hold for over thirty minutes.

Soon after, the 49ers responded in the second half with 17 unanswered points, including a 31-yard touchdown pass by Colin Kaepernick, to make it 28-23. San Francisco trailed 34-29 at the two-minute warning, but a turnover on downs followed by an intentional safety cost them the game. 

Baltimore won by the score of 34-31. Flacco finished with three touchdown passes, and Jacoby Jones returned a kickoff 108 yards for a score.

“That loss was tough, but after some reflection and time, it’s my brother and best friend,” Jim said. “I’m really proud of him and happy for his success. It was earned.”

After nine seasons in the college ranks and leading the Michigan Wolverines to a national championship, Jim returned to the NFL with another opportunity to beat his brother for the first time.

“Walking off the field at that Super Bowl was like, there will be another day. And then there wasn’t for many years and it looked like I wouldn’t have a chance for another day,” Jim added. “But by the grace of God, I’m back in it and back on a team that has a chance.”

Insider offers wild option at QB for 49ers if they don’t extend Brock Purdy

Oh dear…

It would appear the San Francisco 49ers’ future at quarterback is set with Brock Purdy.

The Athletic’s 49ers beat reporter Matt Barrows isn’t so sure.

Barrows in an appearance on 95.7 the Game in San Francisco told hosts Steiny and Guru that quarterback Aaron Rodgers could be a route the 49ers go instead of extending Purdy in the offseason since their other options are relatively thin.

“I don’t really know what the recourse would be,” Barrows said. “Do you play hardball with Brock Purdy? Who else is going to be your quarterback? Do you want Brandon Allen to be your quarterback? Do you go out and sign Sam Darnold who will be a free agent?

The one sort of intriguing possibility is in New York if things just fall apart with the Jets and all the sudden Aaron Rodgers — a guy that the 49ers were definitely interested in in the past — becomes available.”

It’s hard to imagine San Francisco would still be as interested in Rodgers as they were three or four years ago when his exit from Green Bay looked imminent. His tenure in New York has featured a catastrophic Achilles injury and a worse start than they had under Zach Wilson. Not to mention Rodgers isn’t playing particularly well and he turns 41 on Dec. 2.

Even if they’re still not sold on Purdy, they could conceivably have him play out the final year of his rookie contract before committing to a deal at or near the top of the market. The final pick in the 2022 draft is under contract through the 2025 season.

Rodgers is also under contract through 2025, but New York may be eager to move on from him given how calamitous his tenure there has been.

It sounds, per Barrows, like having Purdy play out his rookie deal would be a route the team went before making a seismic shift to an aging Hall of Famer like Rodgers.

”I just think that — two things — one is that the 49ers are not as down on Brock Purdy as the public is,” Barrows said. “I think they realize Purdy is dealing with a lot of challenges this year. And we can go over them, it’s a laundry list of things that are different from last year and that they’re very happy to have him for the future.

And B, and probably most important … the market is the market. They’re not going to — just like Brandon Aiyuk and wide receivers — they’re not gonna be able to get a discount if Brock Purdy’s numbers dip a little bit this year. That doesn’t come with a discount. They’re gonna have to pay what the going rate for a starting quarterback is, and it’s been well established — some guys we don’t think of as top-tier quarterbacks have gotten paid like top-tier quarterbacks recently.”

If Rodgers does come available, we can probably expect his name to be tied to the 49ers. He and the club are inextricably linked since they passed on him in the 2005 draft, but it sounds more like San Francisco would sooner roll with Purdy than take on Rodgers at this point.

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Why isn’t the 49ers’ record better entering showdown with Packers?

The 49ers are great in most advanced metrics but also just 5-5 entering Sunday’s showdown with the Packers. What gives?

The San Francisco 49ers will enter Sunday’s showdown with the Green Bay Packers ranked fourth in the NFL in overall grade at Pro Football Focus, sixth in DVOA, third in adjusted net yards/passing attempt, fifth in expected points added per play and second in yards gained per play.

But Kyle Shanahan’s team is also 5-5 and haven’t won back-to-back games all season, making Sunday’s visit to Lambeau Field something close to a must-win game if the 49ers are going to stay in the race in the NFC playoffs.

So, what gives?

Kyle Madson, the managing editor of Niners Wire, helped us answer the question.

“The bottom line with the 49ers is that their top-heavy roster is coming back to bite them. I could list 20 reasons they’ve lost each of their five games, and that’s sort of the problem. There’s not one issue every week. Sometimes it’s special teams. Sometimes it’s penalties. Sometimes it’s their offensive line. Sometimes it’s their pass rush. As a result they’ve smoked fourth-quarter leads in three of their five losses.

I’m not even sure blaming injuries is correct. They’ve just not gotten enough from some of their starters. Deebo Samuel looks washed. Fred Warner has been struggling behind perhaps the worst defensive line they’ve had in the last half decade. Their offseason acquisition of Leonard Floyd up front hasn’t paid off. It’s been a mess and the further we get into the season it appears this year’s iteration of the 49ers just isn’t very good. I’m expecting some significant offseason changes because staying competitive is going to involve a real evolution from San Francisco in its next chapter.”

The 49ers have lost four games by one score and three by three points or fewer. They gave up late leads in losses to the Los Angeles Rams, Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks. Injuries have played a major factor week to week. The defense isn’t as dominant. And it’s possible the weight of recent playoff failures — the 49ers have lost in the Super Bowl or NFC title game in four of the last five seasons — is providing a crushing force on the 2024 team.

Margins are razor thin in the NFL, even for statistically dominant teams. The 49ers haven’t been great late in games, especially defensively. Christian McCaffrey has missed time. Brandon Aiyuk is out. Javon Hargrave is out. The NFC West is surprisingly competitive. The passing game hasn’t been as deadly efficient. Add it all up, and the 49ers — while looking great on paper — haven’t always looked it in the win-loss column.

The 49ers might be a sleeping giant, a cornered animal. Can the Packers provide the kill shot on Sunday at Lambeau Field?

49ers solve biggest roster flaw in ESPN mock draft

The 49ers address the offensive line in the latest mock draft from ESPN.

While the stretch run and playoff push of the season is looming in the NFL, the college football schedule is entering the final two weeks before conference championships, bowl season and the highly-anticipated 12-team playoff.

As the college football season heats up, the final handful of weeks will display some of the top prospects in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft class for the final time.

In the latest NFL mock draft from ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller, the San Francisco 49ers addressed their offensive line in the first round. With the No. 16 overall pick in the 2024 edition of the NFL draft, Miller penned Texas Longhorns offensive tackle Cameron Williams.

According to Miller, Williams’ game is still “raw,” but he could be a “long-term fix” for the 49ers offensive line on the right side alongside breakout young guard Dominick Puni.

Via ESPN:

He’s a first-year starter, and his game is still raw, but he shows considerable potential. The 6-foot-5, 335-pounder has drawn comparisons to 2024 first-rounder Amarius Mims in terms of his strength and agility, with one NFC South area scout telling me that Williams has a chance to be the first OT drafted if he declares. The 49ers could plug him next to guard Dominick Puni, their third-round pick in 2024, and form an incredibly young and strong right side of the line.

Read Miller’s full mock draft here via ESPN. 

The former three-star recruit is listed at 6-foot-5, 335 lbs. Williams plays on the opposite side of the Longhorns’ line as fellow top offensive tackle prospect Kelvin Banks.

According to Pro Football Focus, Williams has earned a 72.0 offensive grade this season with a 79.3 pass-blocking grade and a 76.2 run-blocking grade. Williams earned his best grade during Texas’ contest against Vanderbilt with an 81.1 grade.

Williams will suit up for Texas against Kentucky on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. PT.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

What to make of Christian McCaffrey’s absence from 49ers practice

Christian McCaffrey wasn’t in practice Wednesday, but there’s no real cause for concern.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey sat out the team’s practice Wednesday in the lead up to a Week 12 showdown with the Green Bay Packers.

This is a slight departure from McCaffrey’s routine during his first two weeks back with the club after a nine-week absence due to Achilles tendinitis. During those first two weeks he was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday before getting a full practice in Friday.

Wednesday of Week 12 was a little different. The 49ers listed McCaffrey as a non-participant. His Achilles injury is still listed, but they also specified that his absence was for rest and was not injury related.

It makes sense that the team would rest McCaffrey given his workload in a Week 11 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He played 59 snaps and notched 19 carries along with four receptions. The 23 touches were four more than his 19 the week prior.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated the team plans to continue utilizing McCaffrey as much as possible in games, so an additional day off during the week would behoove a team trying to manage an Achilles issue for its superstar running back.

Chances are McCaffrey is back Thursday and ready to suit up Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

If he isn’t back Thursday, there may be a bigger issue. For now, his absence is simply a rest day.

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