Tag: San Fransisco 49ers

Former Badger running back explodes for two touchdowns in 49ers blowout win

Former Badger running back explodes for two touchdowns in 49ers blowout win

Former Wisconsin running back Isaac Guerendo exploded for 128 total yards and two rushing touchdowns in the San Francisco 49ers’ 38-13 win vs. the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

A week after all-world running back Christian McCaffrey went down with an injury against the Buffalo Bills, Guerendo assumed the starting running back responsibilities.

He paced the 49ers’ backfield with 15 carries for 78 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the triumph. He also reeled in two catches for 50 receiving yards.

The former Badger’s first score came at the 1:39-minute mark in the first quarter on a one-yard rush. That score put San Francisco up 14-0 and punctuated a dominant first frame of action.

Guerendo crossed the goal line again on the first play of the fourth quarter after rushing up the middle for a four-yard score. He registered two more touches from that point forward to put a ribbon on his most impressive NFL performance of his young career.

Guerendo played for five years at Wisconsin from 2018-2022 before transferring to Louisville for his 2023 season. During his tenure in Madison, he notched 99 carries, 582 yards and six touchdowns in 27 games.

Guerendo is now up to 57 carries, 324 yards and four touchdowns on the ground in his rookie NFL season. He has also recorded seven receptions for 69 yards with the 49ers.

San Francisco will square off next against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, Dec. 12.

Around the NFC West: 49ers to rely on rookie RB

Around the NFC West: 49ers to rely on rookie RB

The San Francisco 49ers are falling behind the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West. Losers of three consecutive contests, it was Seattle’s thrilling Week 11 defeat that sent Kyle Shanahan’s squad on their current winless streak. The 49ers are a last-place 5-7, and suffered a massive blow in Sunday’s embarrassing defeat to the Buffalo Bills.

Superstar running back Christian McCaffrey suffered a potentially season-ending PCL injury. Jordan Mason, who’d done an admirable job filling in for McCaffrey earlier this season, also went down with a high ankle sprain that’s already landed him on IR, ruling him out for a minimum of four contests. As a result, the 49ers will be handing the keys to their backfield to rookie running back Isaac Guerendo. They also recently claimed Israel Abanikanda off waivers from the New York Jets.

The 49ers drafted Guerendo in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The former Louisville standout has rushed for 246 yards and two touchdowns via 42 carries this campaign. He’s averaging an explosive 5.9 yards per carry. Guerendo torched the Seahawks 99 yards earlier this year, including a 76-yard gain late in the fourth quarter, the second-longest run in the league this season.

The Jets selected Abanikanda in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but he never met expectations. Breece Hall is the Jets’ go-to back, and rookie Braelon Allen quickly moved into the change-of-pace role. This may represent Abanikanda’s last chance to establish himself as an NFL-caliber player.

The 49ers won’t be catching the Seahawks in the NFC West this season.

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Geno Smith was motivated by seeing Seahawks legend on 49ers sideline

Geno Smith was motivated by seeing Seahawks legend on 49ers sideline

Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback Geno Smith was outstanding in Sunday’s Week 11 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Smith completed 25 of 32 passing attempts for 221 yards. More importantly, he rushed for the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter with mere seconds remaining in a then-tie game.

Smith recently joined the Richard Sherman Podcast to discuss his performance. Smith told Sherman that he was especially motivated to end his winless streak versus the 49ers when he looked towards their sideline and noticed ex-Seahawk linebacker KJ Wright. Wright is a defensive quality control coach on Kyle Shanahan’s staff.

“I was actually just smiling as I was running on the field for that last [game-winning] drive,” Smith told Seahawks legend Richard Sherman in response to a question about his performance. “I knew we were going to win. Sometime in the third quarter, I looked over at their bench and saw KJ [Wright] standing there. I was like what the…? We have to beat these guys. When I saw KJ, it just kind of pissed me off. He’s a Seahawk. He shouldn’t have those [49ers] colors on.”

Wright was drafted by the Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He enjoyed an illustrious 10-year career (2011-20) in Seattle, winning Super Bowl XLVIII for the franchise. Wright was also named to the 2016 Pro Bowl. He ranks second in franchise history in tackles with 593 takedowns, trailing just Bobby Wagner (915).

Smith is correct. It hurts seeing Wright sporting 49ers colors. Smith found appropriate motivation and spearheaded Seattle to a massive NFC West victory over their arch rival 49ers.

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Seahawks QB Geno Smith really wants to beat the 49ers on Sunday

Seahawks QB Geno Smith really wants to beat the 49ers on Sunday

The Seattle Seahawks are facing a critical matchup within the NFC West against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. The Week 11 date is the final scheduled meeting versus the 49ers this season after the Bay Area-based team beat the Seahawks 36-24 in Week 6. Starting quarterback Geno Smith is 0-5 in his career against the divisional rival. Smith is anxious to put those struggles behind him on Sunday.

“It’s very personal, man,” Smith responded when asked about defeating the 49ers on Sunday. “When you think about division opponents, these games matter the most. Especially with the 49ers. They’ve been on top of our division for a while. If we want to be the type of team we say we are, we’ve got to go through teams like this. I know I’m going to step on the field with that chip on my shoulder, that edge I always have,” Smith concluded.

The 4-5 Seahawks are at the bottom of the NFC West. The 5-4 49ers trail the surprising 6-4 Arizona Cardinals. Smith struggled in the first meeting versus the 49ers, completing 30 of 52 passing attempts for 312 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Running back Kenneth Walker III was limited to 32 rushing yards and DK Metcalf totaled just 48 receiving yards. Smith will be anxious to spearhead a far more successful offensive showing on Sunday.

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Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba was consistently open in Week 6

Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba was consistently open in Week 6

Seattle Seahawks sophomore wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba converted nine targets into five receptions and 53 receiving yards in last Thursday’s Week 6 primetime defeat to the San Francisco 49ers. Smith-Njigba’s nine targets was the second-highest mark on the Seahawks, trailing just DK Metcalf’s 11, though Tyler Lockett and Kenneth Walker weren’t far behind at eight targets apiece.

It was the third-most targets Smith-Njigba has seen this campaign. The former Ohio State standout saw a career-high 16 targets against the New England Patriots in Week 2, and another 12 targets against the Detroit Lions in Week 4. Recent data indicates he perhaps should have been targeted even more than nine times versus the 49ers.

Smith-Njigba got open on 87.5% of his routes versus the 49ers. That led all receivers across Week 6, according to data collected by Pro Football Focus. PFF’s separation percentage measures how often a receiver defeats coverage. Smith-Njigba was open on seven of eight charted opportunities.

Smith-Njigba currently ranks third on the Seahawks in receiving yards with 310, trailing Metcalf (469) and Lockett (339), though he ranks second in targets with 49, and first in receptions with 34. Starting quarterback Geno Smith has showcased trust in Smith-Njigba’s abilities this season.

Smith-Njigba’s breakout should continue against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

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49ers will be without superstar defender vs. Seahawks

49ers will be without superstar defender vs. Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks may be without the services of several high-end defenders against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football. General manager John Schneider placed outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu on IR, ruling him out for a minimum of four contests. Rookie defensive tackle Byron Murphy II has also been ruled out. Cornerback Riq Woolen and edge Derick Hall are also at risk of missing out after being sidelined during Tuesday’s practice.

Luckily for the Seahawks, they’re not the only ones that will be missing critical defenders for Thursday’s divisional showdown. Superstar 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga will miss approximately one month with torn ligaments in his wrist. Kyle Shanahan confirmed the news on Tuesday.

Hufanga suffered the injury in Sunday’s defeat to the Arizona Cardinals. The former USC standout played just 11 snaps before exiting with the injury. Without their game-changing safety in the fold, the 49ers blew a sizable second-half lead.

Hufanga has recorded eight tackles this season. Veteran safety George Odum and rookie Malik Mustapha are expected to play more snaps in his absence. On Sunday against the Cardinals, it was Mustapha that replaced Hufanga.

The 49ers will also be without kicker Jake Moody, who suffered an ankle sprain. Cornerback Charvarius Ward (knee), tight end George Kittle (ribs), linebacker Fred Warner (ankle), wide receiver Chris Conley (oblique) and safety Ji’Ayir Brown (ankle) are also on the 49ers injury report ahead of Thursday.

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Where is Graham Barton in the latest mock draft from The Athletic?

Graham Barton made the first round of The Athletic’s beat writer mock draft on Thursday, but which playoff team picked the Duke lineman?

The Athletic published a mock NFL draft on Thursday with each team’s beat writers contributing their team’s pick, and Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton made the first round.

The former Blue Devil went 31st overall to the San Fransisco 49ers, last year’s NFC champions who went to the Super Bowl.

Barton played offensive tackle over his last three seasons in Durham, but he started at center as a freshman and may move to guard in the pros.

“Versatility is an increasingly valuable commodity on the offensive line,” The Athletic’s David Lombardi wrote. “Barton has a lot of that adaptability.”

Lombardi pointed out that, outside of future Hall of Fame tackle Trent Williams, the 49ers struggled to keep the pocket clean last season, and several San Fransisco linemen could be gone by the end of next season.

“(Barton’s) athletic with a strong base,” Lombardi wrote. “Just the ingredients San Francisco could work with to mold a rookie who’d contribute where needed in 2024.”

The 49ers are one of Barton’s most popular projected landing spots during the draft cycle, with most experts having him either in the bay or with the Buccaneers.

Graham Barton goes to NFC champion 49ers in Daniel Jeremiah’s mock draft 2.0

NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah released an updated mock draft on Tuesday, and Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton ended up with one of this year’s Super Bowl teams.

NFL.com draft expert Daniel Jeremiah released his second mock draft of the 2024 cycle on Tuesday, and Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton barely snuck into the first round.

The left tackle, who is expected to play guard or maybe center once he starts playing on Sundays, went 31st overall to the defending NFC champion San Fransisco 49ers.

The 49ers, who have won the NFC in two of the past five seasons and been to two more conference championship games in that time period, have future Hall of Famer Trent Williams at tackle but need reinforcements in the interior.

The Niners are actually one of Barton’s most popular destinations in current mock drafts, along with the Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Barton gets a chance to solidify himself further as a first-round pick at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis at the end of the month.

What are Graham Barton’s most popular NFL landing places?

We’re still two months away from the NFL Draft, but Mock Draft Database has four teams showing up over and over for Duke lineman Graham Barton.

It’s never too early to start thinking about the NFL draft, especially with the Super Bowl now in the rearview mirror.

Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton still needs to get through the pre-draft process, including the NFL Combine at the end of February, but the NFL Mock Draft Database has kept a close eye on his traction from draft experts, and the same four teams show up routinely.

A scroll through Barton’s recent spots in national mock drafts show almost every team between 20th and 32nd in the first round. In fact, the Blue Devil is so spread out that the site’s consensus mock draft has him listed as one of the few players without a majority landing spot in the first round. However, the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Fransisco 49ers, and Green Bay Packers appear more than anyone else.

The numbers are backed up by some recent big names, too. PFF’s Trevor Sikemma and ESPN’s Field Yates gave Barton to Tampa Bay in their recent projections, and The Ringer’s Benjamin Solak tracked Barton to Green Bay in his first-round mock.

As the draft order stands right now, the Dolphins own the 21st pick. Green Bay follows at 25th, with Tampa Bay one spot behind them at 26th. The 49ers own the 31st pick, the second-to-last selection of opening night.

The site tracks Barton as the 30th-ranked player in the 2024 class, according to an average of the big boards in its database, and the Duke lineman is selected in the first round of 53.6% of the mock drafts tracked.

Seahawks vs. 49ers: 3 encouraging offensive stats going into Wild Card round

The main reason they’re such heavy underdogs is the lopsided matchup between Seattle’s respectable-enough offense and San Francisco’s supervillain-level defense.

The Seahawks are 9.5 point underdogs for tomorrow’s Wild Card game against the 49ers. A lot goes into those odds, but the main reason they’re such heavy underdogs is the lopsided matchup between Seattle’s respectable-enough offense and San Francisco’s supervillain-level defense. The Niners finished the regular season having allowed the league’s fewest yards per game (300.6), fewest points per game (16.3) and ranked first in defensive DVOA (-14.1%).

Upsetting a heavyweight like this particular 49ers team requires a total team effort, but most important of all the Seahawks offense will have to perform much better than the 10 points per game they averaged against their NFC West rivals in the regular season.

There is hope, though. The team finished the regular season trending in the right direction in some ways. Here are three encouraging stats about Seattle’s offense from Doug Farrar’s Secret Superstars of the Wild Card round list.

RB Ken Walker:

“Walker ended the regular season with three straight high-volume games in which he ran the ball at least 23 times for at least 107 yards in each game. Walker has the NFL’s most rushing attempts (78) and the most rushing yards (354) in that three-game stretch, which is exactly what you’d expect from a back Pete Carroll trusts.”

QB Geno Smith:

“Geno Smith has been especially transcendent on deep passes with two tight ends in the formation, with an NFL-high eight completions and four touchdowns of 20 or more air yards.”

LG Damien Lewis:

“The Arizona Cardinals ate Lewis’ lunch for two sacks in Week 6, but Lewis has allowed just one sack since then — and since Week 14, he’s given up no sacks, one quarterback hit, and three quarterback hurries. That’s with everything collapsing around him at a relative rate.”

Meanwhile on defense, the Seahawks will need to get pressure on Brock Purdy. If they can do that and run the ball effectively, they might just have a chance to not get blown out for a third time this year.

Kickoff is 1:30 p.m. Pacific.

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