Tag: Nick Bosa

NFL Week 13 Power Rankings: The first Super Bowl LIV might be played on Sunday

The NFL’s unstoppable force will meet the NFL’s immovable object in December 1, when the 10-1 49ers travel to M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore to take on the 9-2 Ravens. We tend to overuse the phrase “appointment viewing,” but the term fits here. No …

The NFL’s unstoppable force will meet the NFL’s immovable object in December 1, when the 10-1 49ers travel to M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore to take on the 9-2 Ravens. We tend to overuse the phrase “appointment viewing,” but the term fits here.

No defense has been able to stop Lamar Jackson and the Ravens consistently throughout the 2019 season. If you manage to shut him down as a passer (an increasingly difficult proposition), he will weld your butt to the field as a runner. Baltimore’s defense has also improved exponentially since trading for cornerback Marcus Peters in mid-October; they haven’t lost since Week 4, and they’re coming off a 45-6 shellacking of the Rams on Monday Night Football.

Meanwhile, the 49ers are undefeated in regulation; their only loss on the season came against Seattle in overtime. And they just took the Packers apart on Sunday Night Football to the tune of a 37-8 demolition. San Francisco’s combination of pass rush and secondary play is unparalleled in today’s NFL, and outside of Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray, who’s put up two games with a passer rating over 100 against them, and Russell Wilson, who ran six times for 53 yards in Week 10, things get really interesting when you superimpose Jackson and Baltimore’s preposterous rushing offense into that equation.

Both teams have specific vulnerabilities that could upend them. San Francisco has allowed over 100 rushing yards in each of their last eight games, and as quickly as their fronts move, they are a bit susceptible to misdirection. Baltimore’s run defense might be the only one in the NFL more diverse than San Francisco’s, so there’s that. And if the Ravens continue their trend of blitzing heavily to create pressure (coming into Monday night’s game, Baltimore had a blitz rate of 49.9%, by far the most in the league), that may open things up for Jimmy Garoppolo and an increasingly prolific passing game.

Whatever game you were intending to watch this Sunday, if it’s not this one, you might want to change your plans. Unless you’re under the assumption that you’ll see both of these teams in Miami in February, which seems an entirely reasonable proposition.

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

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WATCH: Nick Bosa ends 3-game streak without a sack

Nick Bosa ended his three-game streak without a sack Sunday night.

The 49ers got a huge stop late in the first half that allowed them to kick a field goal and go up 23-0 as time expired in the second quarter. That stop came courtesy of Nick Bosa, who got his first sack since Week 8.

San Francisco sacked Aaron Rodgers three times in the first half.

49ers vs. Packers: 3 things that stood out in the 1st quarter

The defense has impressed early holding Green Bay to 16 yards on 14 plays.

The 49ers defense has impressed early, holding Green Bay to 16 yards on 14 plays. The offense hasn’t done much yet, but thanks to an early fumble recovery, they were able to score and get an early lead.

There’s still plenty of time left, but the 49ers dominated the first 15 minutes. Here’s what stood out in the first quarter:

Can’t start better than that

The 49ers defense faces a tough test against Aaron Rodgers and they passed the first quarter with flying colors. They blitzed on Green Bay’s first third down and instantly got pressure on Rodgers with DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead missing their chances on the quarterback before Fred Warner hit him to notch a sack and force a fumble. Nick Bosa recovered at the 2-yard-line. The offense wasted no time giving the ball to Tevin Coleman for a two-yard touchdown. It was known Levi’s Stadium would be loud, but the first defensive drive really set the tone.

Emmanuel Sanders’ ribs look fine

Sanders has been dealing with rib problems the last couple of weeks that limited his snap counts against both Seattle and Arizona. After his first reception, it’s safe to say he looks ready to go. Jimmy Garoppolo hit Sanders on a slant for gain of 15, but Sanders paid for it getting flipped and landing hard on his back. He hopped up quickly and danced in celebration of the first down. If Sanders truly is healthy, it gives the 49ers a whole different look and gives Garoppolo three solid options in Sanders, George Kittle, and Deebo Smauel.

The defense came to play

They set the bar high on the opening drive, but the defense has been able to meet it. The 49ers forced the Packers offense to three consecutive three-and-outs on the three drives following the fumble. The Packers offense is bound to break out of this slump at some point, but for the defense to set the tone this early and play like this could be huge in the later moments of the game.

49ers get off to scorching hot start behind Fred Warner, Tevin Coleman

Fred Warner and Nick Bosa combined for a takeaway, then Tevin Coleman scored one play later.

The 49ers couldn’t have asked for a better start Sunday night against the Packers. Green Bay faced a third-and-10 at their own 25 on their first series, and 49ers linebacker Fred Warner got home to force a fumble that Nick Bosa recovered at the Green Bay 2-yard line.

San Francisco scored on the next play on a Tevin Coleman two-yard run.

3 key matchups that could decide 49ers vs. Packers

The next three games for the 49ers won’t be easy and the stretch begins against the current No. 2 seed in the NFC Green Bay Packers. 

The next three games for the 49ers won’t be easy, and the stretch begins Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers –  the current No. 2 seed in the NFC. This game is oozing with talent from both sides with Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Garoppolo leading the charge. All the matchups to watch in this one effectively stem from the two signal callers.

Here are the matchups that will decide the Sunday night clash between the 49ers and Packers:

Richard Sherman vs. Davante Adams

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Sherman had an interesting week last week when he got called for pass interference three times against Cardinals second-year receiver Christian Kirk. On Sunday he’ll face possibly the best receiver he’s lined up against this season. Adams missed four games earlier in the year with a toe injury, but still leads Green Bay with 57 targets. He’s by far Rodgers’ favorite pass catcher, and the star quarterback won’t hesitate to go after Sherman like some others have this season. Sherman will need to do his best not just covering Adams, but also covering Adams with less physicality than usual to prevent those big penalties.

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49ers vs. Packers: 6 players to watch on defense

The 49ers defense as allowed 20-plus points in three consecutive games for the first time all season. 

The 49ers’ defense has allowed 20-plus points in three consecutive games for the first time all season. It won’t get any easier with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers coming to town for their highly-anticipated Sunday night matchup. The defense will need to click in all facets of the game to stop Packers head coach Matt LaFleur’s offense.

Here are the six players that will be key in doing just that:

CB Richard Sherman

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Sherman was called for pass interference three times last week against the Cardinals. Sunday night he’ll be tasked in coverage plenty against wide receiver Davante Adams, who leads the Packers in targets despite missing four games. Sherman will need to be careful in coverage because the last thing the defense wants to do is give Rodgers free yards. Pass interference penalties against the Packers are especially damaging because Rodgers isn’t afraid to take deep shots.

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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.

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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

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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.

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