Tag: Nick Bosa

Larry Fitzgerald got into Nick Bosa’s head

He put Bosa on the ground on a chip block and then was classy about it.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is a legend. He is one of the greatest receivers of all time. He is also a very good blocker now. San Francisco 49ers rookie defensive end Nick Bosa learned the hard way. Bosa is having a solid rookie campaign and is one of the most talented young pass rushers in the league.

Bosa was introduced to a Fitzgerald block in Week 11. Fitzgerald knocked him to the ground on a chip block before running his route.

Bosa spoke about it recently. ESPN’s Nick Wagoner shared the quote on Twitter.

“He’s always saying something,” Bosa said. “It’s not like mean or vicious in any way. It’s kind of friendly but it’s to get in your head. After that (block), he ran up to me and said, ‘Sorry, man, I’ve got to slow you down somehow.’ I was like ‘Well, (expletive), you did.'”

Fitz puts a guy on the ground and then is classy. No wonder he is one of the most respected players in the entire league and this entire generation of players.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

[protected-iframe id=”dc9401a9946bd6d695c8bc6452e2c715-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/20138538/download.mp3″ ]

NFL Week 12 Power Rankings: Ravens are toying with the rest of the NFL

Change happens quickly in the NFL, but Baltimore clearly stands as the league’s top team right now, writes Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar.

Over their past four games, the Ravens went from 4-2 to 8-2 with victories over the Seahawks, Patriots and Texans — opponents with a current won-loss record of 23-7. Since the acquisition of cornerback Marcus Peters in a trade with the Rams on Oct. 15, Baltimore has not only ranked first in Football Outsiders’ opponent-adjusted metrics in offensive efficiency, but defensive efficiency as well.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson currently ranks fourth in the NFL in passer rating and 10th in rushing yards. Sunday’s 41-7 thrashing of the Texans was the most obvious example of a Baltimore’s vast improvement in all facets of the game, and the Ravens must be considered to be the league’s best team at this point in time.

The Packers, Vikings, Saints and Seahawks match the Ravens’ eight-win total, but could you say that you’d definitively take any of those teams over John Harbaugh’s squad? The Patriots and 49ers have nine wins this season, but Baltimore already handed New England its only loss in authoritative fashion, and the 49ers, who have looked vulnerable on defense over the past two weeks, will get their shot on Dec. 1.

Until then, and as the Ravens continue to separate themselves from the pack, the NFL is their world, and everyone else is just paying rent.

32-25 | 24-17 | 16-9 | 8-1

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

3 matchups that will decide 49ers vs. Cardinals showdown

It’s a familiar matchup for the 49ers as they take on the Arizona Cardinals just 17 days after their win in Arizona. 

It’s a familiar matchup for the 49ers as they take on the Arizona Cardinals just 17 days after their win in Arizona. The 49ers escaped Arizona on Halloween with a 28-25 victory that saw Jimmy Garoppolo carry the offense with four touchdown passes, and a defense that barely held on long enough to get the job done. The two division rivals will close out their season series Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.

Here are the three matchups that could decide whether the 49ers sweep or Arizona can earn a split:

Deebo Samuel vs. Patrick Peterson

(AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

With George Kittle out and Emmanuel Sanders questionable for Sunday, Samuel could be the best receiver on the field for the 49ers. With that comes a matchup against one of the better cornerbacks in league. Samuel had the best game of his career against Seattle with eight receptions for 112 despite having a couple of drops that could have added to his numbers. If Sanders can’t go, expect Jimmy Garoppolo to target Samuel a bit but with that comes throwing at Peterson, a three-time All-Pro corner.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

Terry McLaurin has NFL’s fourth-highest grade among rookies through Week 10

McLaurin is one of the NFL’s best targets beyond the sticks this season, and his reliability will help Dwayne Haskins down the road.

The Washington Redskins have shifted their focus to rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who will be making his second career start this Sunday against the New York Jets. However, don’t let that distract you from the highly-encouraging season that rookie wide receiver Terry McLaurin has had through these first nine games.

Heading into Week 11, McLaurin ranks as the fourth-highest graded rookie in the 2019 draft class by Pro Football focus, beating out names like Kyler Murray, and Marquise Brown. He trails only Dexter Lawrence, Nick Bosa, and Josh Jacobs.

Here’s what PFF had to say about the rookie:

While reports are circulating as to whether or not Washington should go the Arizona Cardinals route and draft another quarterback in the first round in back-to-back drafts — whoever ends up as Washington’s quarterback of the future will at least have one of the top premier wide receivers in the NFL in Terry McLaurin. The former Ohio State Buckeye has been one of the most reliable and dangerous downfield threats, as he is tied for fifth in PFF grade on targets past the sticks. It’s safe to say McLaurin is a certified deep threat.

Whether or not Haskins finds success during the rest of his rookie season is yet to be seen, but it helps that his old college teammate is going to be there for him out on the numbers, as reliable an option as there is in the game.

[vertical-gallery id=24771]

NFL Week 11 Power Rankings: Upsets rule, and a new team at the top

In the wake of an unlikely trio of upsets, Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar assesses the hierarchy of the NFL’s 32 teams.

Some weeks in the NFL, a series of things surprise you. In Week 10, three 1-7 teams posted victories, giving hope to fans of some much-maligned squads.

The Jets beat the Giants, 34-27, as safety Jamal Adams became the sixth player since 2000 to record two quarterback sacks, two forced fumbles and a touchdown in the same game. The Dolphins won their second straight game after an 0-7 start, besting the depleted Colts and proving that, at least to head coach Brian Flores and his players, any talk of tanking was pure bunk.

Then, the Falcons improbably whupped up on the Saints, sacking Drew Brees six times and holding New Orleans under 10 points in New Orleans for the first time since 1973.

None of these teams have realistic playoff hopes this season, but the ability to get your game together for even a short part of the season can provide some compelling narratives.

Here’s how all 32 teams stand in out Touchdown Wire’s Week 11 power rankings:

32-25 | 24-17 | 16-9 | 8-1

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5