mercurynews--2020-10-26--With no pass rush, Raiders were pushovers for Tom Brady, Buccaneers

At 43 years old , Tom Brady certainly hasn ’ t gotten any faster with time .
Against the Raiders , it didn ’ t matter .
Brady felt almost no pressure from the Raiders ’ defensive front on Sunday as he completed 33 of 45 passes for 369 yards and four touchdowns in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ’ 45-20 win at Allegiant Stadium .
The Raiders never sacked Brady and managed just one hit on the future Hall of Fame quarterback — by Maurice Hurst , who helped up his fellow Michigan alum after the play .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and if you let Tom Brady sit back there and survey the field , he ’ s proved it for 20 years , he ’ s proving it for 21 years , that he ’ s still one of the very , very best , ” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said .
“ They have an arsenal of weapons , credit to them , but we have to generate a better rush , and until we do it ’ s going to continue to be tough.
” The Raiders entered Sunday with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games , one of the worst totals in the NFL .
Still , in Week 5 against the Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs , the Raiders had three sacks and five quarterback hits .
“ It ’ s two different styles , ” Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton said .
“ Because we have Patrick Mahomes — mobile , extends plays .
Then we have Tom Brady — stationary , sitting in the pocket .
Two different type of offenses to compare and just say , we did one thing more last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just a different game plan , a different team and we didn ’ t get it done.
” Brady connected with nine receivers on pass completions .
Chris Godwin was his favorite target , catching nine passes for 88 yards and a touchdown , and Rob Gronkowski had five catches for 62 yards .
Brady ’ s fourth TD pass , a 1-yarder to rookie Tyler Johnson , moved him past the Saints ’ Drew Brees for the most career touchdown passes in NFL history with 559 .
The prettiest pass of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second quarter .
With the Raiders rushing four on a 2nd-and-10 play at the Las Vegas 33-yard line , Brady stepped up into a clean pocket and dropped in a perfect pass over Scotty Miller ’ s right shoulder in the end zone for his second touchdown throw of the day .
Nevin Lawson seemed to have good coverage on Miller , but there wasn ’ t much he could do .
Miller had six catches for 109 yards .
“ Obviously , there ’ s some things we have to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process will start as soon as this press conference is over , ” Gruden said .
“ But if we ’ re going to rush four , we ’ ve got to do a lot better than we did today.
” The Raiders stopped the Buccaneers ’ offense on the game ’ s possession — perhaps more by luck than anything as Brady overthrew an open Gronkowski on the game ’ s first play from scrimmage .
But those type of plays — where the receiver found a seam between the secondary and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking for Brady most of the day , as he had all the time he needed to make plays .
Brady had been sacked eight times ’ in the Bucs ’ first five games , but Sunday marked the second straight game where he had not been brought down .
• What the Raiders are saying after their loss to Tampa Bay • Raiders face huge fine , possible loss of draft pick for COVID violations • Live updates : Buccaneers too much for Raiders in 45-20 win “ It basically comes down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then transitioning that into actual games , ” Littleton said .
“ We practice great .
Now , we just have to correlate the playing grade during these intense game time situations .
“ Everybody ’ s capable of it and we always plan to strive and do those things .
We ’ ve just got to work a little harder to make sure we do it .
”

At 43 years old, Tom Brady certainly hasn’t gotten any faster with time.
Against the Raiders, it didn’t matter.
Brady felt almost no pressure from the Raiders’ defensive front on Sunday as he completed 33 of 45 passes for 369 yards and four touchdowns in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 45-20 win at Allegiant Stadium.
The Raiders never sacked Brady and managed just one hit on the future Hall of Fame quarterback — by Maurice Hurst, who helped up his fellow Michigan alum after the play.
“We did not get enough pass rush today, and if you let Tom Brady sit back there and survey the field, he’s proved it for 20 years, he’s proving it for 21 years, that he’s still one of the very, very best,” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said. “They have an arsenal of weapons, credit to them, but we have to generate a better rush, and until we do it’s going to continue to be
tough.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) scores a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Getty Images LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Devin White #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sacks Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hands the ball off the Ronald Jones II #27 in the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Devin White #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sacks Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gives a thumbs up in the third quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Getty Images LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs with the ball while being tackled by Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Getty Images LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drops back to pass in the second quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Leonard Fournette #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball while being tackled by Erik Harris #25 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
AP Photo Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown on a sneak play in the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
AP Photo Las Vegas Raiders inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (44) and free safety Erik Harris (25) attempt to tackle Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones (27) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Leonard Fournette #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball while being tackled by Clelin Ferrell #96 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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The Raiders entered Sunday with just seven sacks in their first five games, one of the worst totals in the NFL. Still, in Week 5 against the Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, the Raiders had three sacks and five quarterback hits.
“It’s two different styles,” Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton said. “Because we have Patrick Mahomes — mobile, extends plays. Then we have Tom Brady — stationary, sitting in the pocket. Two different type of offenses to compare and just say, we did one thing more last week than we did this week. Just a different game plan, a different team and we didn’t get it done.”
Brady connected with nine receivers on pass completions. Chris Godwin was his favorite target, catching nine passes for 88 yards and a touchdown, and Rob Gronkowski had five catches for 62 yards.
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Brady’s fourth TD pass, a 1-yarder to rookie Tyler Johnson, moved him past the Saints’ Drew Brees for the most career touchdown passes in NFL history with 559.
The prettiest pass of the day came with 17 seconds left in the second quarter.
With the Raiders rushing four on a second-and-10 play at the Las Vegas 33-yard line, Brady stepped up into a clean pocket and dropped in a perfect pass over Scotty Miller’s right shoulder in the end zone for his second touchdown throw of the day.
Nevin Lawson seemed to have good coverage on Miller, but there wasn’t much he could do.
“It was a sweet play,” Miller said. “Tom put it on the money there in the back corner.”
Miller had six catches for 109 yards.
“Obviously, there’s some things we have to take a good look at, and that process will start as soon as this press conference is over,” Gruden said. “But if we’re going to rush four, we’ve got to do a lot better than we did today.”
The Raiders stopped the Buccaneers on the game’s possession — perhaps more by luck than anything as Brady overthrew an open Gronkowski on the game’s first play from scrimmage.
But those type of plays — where the receiver found a seam between the secondary and the linebackers — were there for the taking for Brady most of the day, as he had all the time he needed to make plays.
Brady had been sacked eight times in the Bucs’ first five games, but Sunday marked the second straight game where he had not been brought down.
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“Everybody’s capable of it, and we always plan to strive and do those things. We’ve just got to work a little harder to make sure we do it.”


mercurynews--2020-10-26--Jeff Wilson Jr.’s career day, ankle injury epitomize 49ers’ roller-coaster season

Kyle Shanahan and his father , Mike , have turned a long list of overlooked running backs into productive NFL players with their famed zone-blocking scheme , yet their game-planning brilliance and ability to find diamonds in the rough never seems to lose its luster .
For his latest trick , Kyle Shanahan helped fourth-string 49ers running back Jeff Wilson , Jr. look like the team ’ s next breakout star against the New England Patriots on Sunday as the former undrafted free agent ran for a career-high 112 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries in San Francisco ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s an absolute monster , ” tight end George Kittle said of Wilson .
“ He has one of my favorite mindsets .
He ’ s a completely different person on game day .
It ’ s just a dark place he goes to and I love everything about that.
” With starting tailback Raheem Mostert on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain and backup Tevin Coleman sidelined since Week 2 with a knee injury , Wilson was forced into action on Sunday and exceeded expectations with a relentless downhill running style @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilson wasn ’ t active a week ago due to a calf injury and had only registered 48 rushing attempts over the last two seasons before surpassing his previous career-high of 90 yards with 92 in the first half against New England .
“ We knew on Monday that if Jeff was healthy , he was going to be starting that week , ” Shanahan said .
“ We weren ’ t really sure of that until he got a lot more ( reps ) in practice on Thursday.
” The 49ers thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by keeping the ball in Wilson ’ s hands , but he rolled his ankle while scoring his third touchdown of the day in the third quarter and left the sideline on a medical cart .
The 49ers don ’ t know the severity of Wilson ’ s ankle injury yet , but Shanahan said after the game the initial belief is Wilson suffered a high ankle sprain , which would likely require a stint on injured reserve and a multi-week absence .
Wilson ’ s brief roller coaster ride from a part-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s game with an injury is suddenly a microcosm of the 49ers ’ season .
In an effort to return to the playoffs after appearing in the Super Bowl in February , the 49ers have been decimated by injuries and at some positions , including running back , are down to players who expected to spend the year trying to keep their jobs on a practice squad .
At 4-3 , the 49ers have overcome early adversity including an ugly blowout loss to the Miami Dolphins , but there ’ s now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can handle if they want to survive a brutal portion of the schedule .
Shanahan ’ s offense and Robert Saleh ’ s defense continue to have backups emerge as capable replacements , but it ’ s fair to wonder if and when the team will hit a breaking point .
After leaving the game in the third quarter , Wilson was replaced in the backfield by yet another undrafted running back , Baylor product JaMycal Hasty .
The 49ers dominated at the line of scrimmage to the point that it didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo , but Hasty still looked like an NFL-caliber rusher as he racked up 57 yards on nine carries behind a resurgent 49ers offensive line .
“ That ’ s always been the identity of Kyle ’ s offense , ” left tackle Trent Williams said .
“ It ’ s a ‘ run the ball first , balance it out , do a lot off the play action ’ ( offense ) .
Our offense doesn ’ t go unless we run the ball .
That ’ s something that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve worked a ton at it.
” There ’ s no better testament to the Shanahan offensive system turning undiscovered NFL talents into valuable players than the emergence of Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis in Mike ’ s tenure with the Denver Broncos .
Davis went from being a sixth-round draft pick to having one of the greatest peaks of any NFL rusher , which is an arc many others who have played under either Shanahan have attempted to follow .
Mostert ascended from a role as a speedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by six teams into one of the league ’ s premier big-play threats in the league last season , but the 49ers didn ’ t need him to defeat New England because Wilson , Hasty and the offensive line controlled the game on the ground .
A rushing attack led by a pair of unheralded backs with limited NFL experience helped the 49ers hand the Patriots their worst home loss in Foxborough during Bill Belichick ’ s tenure as head coach .
The win showcased the 49ers ’ resilience , but Shanahan could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offset the losses of Wilson and leading wide receiver Deebo Samuel , who left Sunday ’ s game in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury .
The 49ers ’ schedule doesn ’ t get any easier as they travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks next weekend before hosting the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football on Nov. 5 , and it seems Shanahan ’ s job won ’ t be easier either .
The 49ers ’ head coach has proven he ’ s an offensive mastermind and the rushing scheme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly doesn ’ t need star power to be effective , but it ’ s ultimately players seizing opportunities who make the system work .
With Mostert , Coleman and Wilson now down , Shanahan is running out of potential diamonds to find .
Whether he ’ s able to pluck another and how quickly the team ’ s top backs are able to return could determine the 49ers ’ fate .

Kyle Shanahan and his father, Mike, have turned a long list of overlooked running backs into productive NFL players with their famed zone-blocking scheme, yet their game-planning brilliance and ability to find diamonds in the rough never seems to lose its luster.
For his latest trick, Kyle Shanahan helped fourth-string 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr. look like the team’s next breakout star against the New England Patriots on Sunday as the former undrafted free agent ran for a career-high 112 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries in San Francisco’s 33-6 victory.
“He’s an absolute monster,” tight end George Kittle said of Wilson. “He has one of my favorite mindsets. He’s a completely different person on game day. It’s just a dark place he goes to and I love everything about that.”
New England Patriots linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley (51) tackles San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (30) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball off to Jeff Wilson Jr. #30 during their NFL game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Jeff Wilson Jr. #30 of the San Francisco 49ers runs for a seven-yard touchdown against the New England Patriots in the third quarter of their NFL game at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Jeff Wilson Jr. #30 of the San Francisco 49ers grabs his left leg after scoring on a seven-yard touchdown against the New England Patriots in the third quarter of their NFL game at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr., left, runs from New England Patriots defensive back Jonathan Jones (31) on his way to a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Jeff Wilson Jr. #30 of the San Francisco 49ers runs for a seven-yard touchdown against the New England Patriots in the third quarter of their NFL game at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr., left, celebrates his touchdown with George Kittle, right, in the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr. celebrates his touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk, center, celebrates his touchdown with teammates Jeff Wilson Jr., left, and George Kittle, right, in the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Jeff Wilson Jr. #30 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his 16-yard touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second quarter of their NFL game at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Jeff Wilson Jr. #30 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball against the New England Patriots during their NFL game at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (30) walks off the field after an injury while scoring a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr. lies on the turf after an injury while scoring a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr. gains yardage against the New England Patriots in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
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With starting tailback Raheem Mostert on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain and backup Tevin Coleman sidelined since Week 2 with a knee injury, Wilson was forced into action on Sunday and exceeded expectations with a relentless downhill running style and impressive physicality between the tackles. Wilson wasn’t active a week ago because of a calf injury and had only registered 48 rushing attempts over the past two seasons before surpassing his previous career-high of 90 yards with 92 in the first half against New England.
“We knew on Monday that if Jeff was healthy, he was going to be starting that week,” Shanahan said. “We weren’t really sure of that until he got a lot more (reps) in practice on Thursday.”
The 49ers thought they could put the game in ice by keeping the ball in Wilson’s hands, but he rolled his ankle while scoring his third touchdown in the third quarter and left the sideline on a medical cart.
The 49ers don’t know the severity of Wilson’s ankle injury, but Shanahan said after the game the initial belief is Wilson suffered a high-ankle sprain, which would likely require a stint on injured reserve and a multiweek absence.
Wilson’s brief roller coaster ride from a part-time contributor to offensive catalyst to exiting Sunday’s game with an injury is suddenly a microcosm of the 49ers’ season. In an effort to return to the playoffs after appearing in the Super Bowl in February, the 49ers have been decimated by injuries and at some positions, including running back, are down to players who expected to spend the year trying to keep their jobs on a practice squad.
At 4-3, the 49ers have overcome early adversity including an ugly blowout loss to the Miami Dolphins, but there’s now a question of how much more they can handle if they want to survive a brutal portion of the schedule. Shanahan’s offense and Robert Saleh’s defense continue to have backups emerge as capable replacements, but it’s fair to wonder if and when the team will hit a breaking point.
After leaving the game in the third quarter, Wilson was replaced in the backfield by yet another undrafted running back, Baylor product JaMycal Hasty. The 49ers dominated at the line of scrimmage to the point that it didn’t necessarily matter who lined up behind quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, but Hasty still looked like an NFL-caliber rusher as he racked up 57 yards on nine carries behind a resurgent 49ers offensive line.
“That’s always been the identity of Kyle’s offense,” left tackle Trent Williams said. “It’s a ‘run the ball first, balance it out, do a lot off the play action’ (offense). Our offense doesn’t go unless we run the ball. That’s something that’s very important to us and we’ve worked a ton at it.”
There’s no better testament to the Shanahan offensive system turning undiscovered NFL talents into valuable players than the emergence of Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis in Mike’s tenure with the Denver Broncos. Davis went from being a sixth-round draft pick to having one of the greatest peaks of any NFL rusher, which is an arc many others who have played under either Shanahan have attempted to follow.
Mostert ascended from a role as a speedy punt-coverage gunner who’d been cut by six teams into one of the league’s premier big-play threats in the league last season, but the 49ers didn’t need him to defeat New England because Wilson, Hasty and the offensive line controlled the game on the ground.
A rushing attack led by a pair of unheralded backs with limited NFL experience helped the 49ers hand the Patriots their worst home loss in Foxborough during Bill Belichick’s tenure as head coach. The win showcased the 49ers’ resilience, but Shanahan could now be tasked with determining ways to offset the losses of Wilson and leading wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who left Sunday’s game in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury.
The 49ers’ schedule doesn’t get any easier as they travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks next weekend before hosting the Green Bay Packers on “Thursday Night Football” on Nov. 5, and it seems Shanahan’s job won’t be easier either.
The 49ers’ head coach has proven he’s an offensive mastermind and the rushing scheme he patterns after the one his father clearly doesn’t need star power to be effective, but it’s ultimately players seizing opportunities who make the system work.
With Mostert, Coleman and Wilson now down, Shanahan is running out of potential diamonds to find. Whether he’s able to pluck another and how quickly the team’s top backs are able to return could determine the 49ers’ fate.


mercurynews--2020-10-26--Power shutoffs hit Northern California as dangerous winds pick up, threatening thousands overnight

As violent winds began whipping across a severely parched Northern California on Sunday , PG & E started cutting off power to tens of thousands of customers and fire crews bore down , aiming to prevent another wind-whipped inferno like those that devastated several communities in recent years .
In anticipation of Diablo winds that could bring the “ most critical ” fire conditions of the season , the utility company had warned earlier this week that it would turn off power to some 500,000 customers in an effort to limit the threat of fires sparked by power lines .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ scaled back to about 360,000 customers across 36 counties and 17 tribal communities , sparing some 100,000 homes and businesses in Northern California , including areas of San Ramon to Dublin to Santa Rosa .
Some 225,000 already had their power turned off by about 6 p.m. Sunday , with more than 100,000 still set to lose electricity overnight PG & E said .
The utility said it would begin inspecting power lines and equipment and restoring service as the wind passed .
Citing hazardous winds and extremely low humidity levels , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warning lasting through 5 p.m. Tuesday in the North Bay mountains and East Bay hills and through 11 a.m. Monday in the coastal regions and Santa Cruz Mountains .
Commonly referred to as Diablo winds , the strong offshore gales with gusts up to 70 mph atop mountains and 50 mph at lower levels were expected to be at their strongest overnight .
“ The big concern is the area that is going to be affected will be a lot more widespread than previous events , ” said Meteorologist Gerry Diaz , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resemblance to those that led to the devastating Oakland hills conflagration in 1991 .
The most dangerous wind event of the year came as California has already set a state record for most acres burned in a year .
As of Sunday , this year ’ s fires have consumed more than 4.1 million acres , destroyed at least 9,200 structures and killed 31 people .
Four of the state ’ s five largest fires in recorded history have occurred this year , including the August Complex — the state ’ s first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acres .
By Sunday afternoon , crews in Shasta County were already working to contain four different fires that broke out earlier in the day and prompted several evacuation orders .
Berkeley and Contra Costa County officials urged residents in high-risk areas to relocate Sunday ahead of the dangerous conditions that were expected overnight .
Popular parks in San Mateo and Sonoma counties announced closures through Monday due to the risk of wildfires .
Heeding the warnings from officials , a steady stream of evacuees checked into Doubletree Hotel in the Berkeley Marina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moran had ignored many red-flag warnings in the past .
But Sunday , the elderly couple decided to leave their Berkeley Hills home of 51 years to spend the night at the hotel .
“ This one seemed serious , ” said Everett Moran , one of more than a dozen evacuees who checked into the hotel after city officials encouraged them to leave and noted special offers to city residents fleeing the danger .
Officials stressed that their message was not an evacuation order , but an effort to keep roads clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such a notice .
The couple had two small bags , with plans to stay two nights at the hotel .
They packed books , puzzles and their hiking sticks — turning their evacuation into a “ little getaway , ” said Cathy Moran .
“ There ’ s no use worrying , ” she said .
“ We will be alarmed if a fire happens.
” Katie Peterson , another evacuee who left her home of two years with her 2-year-old and husband , said the situation Sunday afternoon felt less stressful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a minor inconvenience , ” said Peterson , a UC Davis English professor who lives near Grizzly Peak .
“ Our lives aren ’ t in upheaval yet .
Let ’ s hope we don ’ t get to upheaval.
” The dangerous conditions — caused by a mix of low humidity , high winds and dry fire fuel — prompted CalFire officials early Sunday morning to keep all personnel who were already on duty working through at least Monday morning , according to spokesman Robert Foxworthy .
Going into the evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment and reserve engines across Northern California in locations at the highest risk of fire activity .
“ This wind event isn ’ t going to surprise anybody , ” Foxworthy said .
“ Everyone is mentally prepared for what could happen.
” After a long and horrific fire season , Thomas Gallinatti , a retired Oakland firefighter who is a candidate for the San Ramon Valley Fire Board , said Sunday that he was confident most East Bay foothill residents were prepared for what was to come overnight .
“ People should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said Sunday morning .
• Map : Where the PG & E public safety power outages will be ; 386,000 to go without power , officials say • How do California wildfires get their names ?
• More than 466,000 PG & E customers to lose power due to extreme fire weather risk from Sunday to Tuesday Gallinatti , who lives in Alamo , said his biggest concern was residents blocking firefighters by parking on narrow streets .
Like many residents in the East Bay hills , Adam Willett , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berkeley Hills , had his van parked facing out toward the street on Sunday for a quicker getaway .
The 51-year-old resident and his wife have experienced a handful of red-flag warnings in the past , he said .
Sunday , though , climate change weighed on his mind , giving him added stress after the historic spread of the fires that broke out across the Bay Area following lightning storms in August .
“ This is not the same ( as the past ) , ” said Willett .
“ This is @ @ @

As violent winds began whipping across a severely parched Northern California on Sunday, PG&E cut off power to tens of thousands of customers and fire crews bore down, aiming to prevent another wind-whipped inferno like those that devastated several communities in recent years.
In anticipation of Diablo winds that could bring the “most critical” fire conditions of the season, the utility company had warned earlier this week that it would turn off power to some 500,000 customers in an effort to limit the threat of fires sparked by power lines. By Sunday, the plan had been scaled back to about 360,000 customers across 36 counties and 17 tribal communities, sparing some 100,000 homes and businesses in Northern California, including areas of San Ramon to Dublin to Santa Rosa.
PG&E incident commander Mark Quinlan called the planned power shut off the utility’s “last resort option” and said that the company tried to make it “as small as possible” based on the most up-to-date weather forecasts. Quinlan said the utility would begin inspecting power lines and equipment and restoring service as the wind passed.
OAKLAND, CA - OCT. 25: A vehicle drives up Mountain Blvd in the Montclair neighborhood after the power has been shut off due to high winds in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. Due to high winds and dry conditions PG&E will turn off the power to over 361,000 customers in 36 counties to protect them from possible wildfires caused by downed power lines. The National Weather Service predicts offshore winds from the north peaking at higher elevations up to 70 mph. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - OCT. 25: A roadside sign warns motorist of extreme fire danger on Grizzly Peak Blvd. in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. Due to high winds and dry conditions PG&E will turn off the power to over 361,000 customers in 36 counties to protect them from possible wildfires caused by downed power lines. The National Weather Service predicts offshore winds from the north peaking at higher elevations up to 70 mph. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - OCT. 25: The Bay Area braces for possible high winds as seen from Grizzly Peak Blvd. in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. Due to high winds and dry conditions PG&E will turn off the power to over 361,000 customers in 36 counties to protect them from possible wildfires caused by downed power lines. The National Weather Service predicts offshore winds from the north peaking at higher elevations up to 70 mph. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
CONCORD, CA - OCT. 25: A PG&E troubleman works on repairing electrical wires that were touching due to high winds on Manzanita Court in Concord, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. The power in the neighborhood had to be turned off while repairs were made. Due to high winds and dry conditions PG&E will turn off the power to over 361,000 customers in 36 counties to protect them from possible wildfires caused by downed power lines. The National Weather Service predicts offshore winds from the north peaking at higher elevations up to 70 mph. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
BERKELEY, CA - OCTOBER 25: A bicyclist rides past closure signs at an entrance to Tilden Regional Park on Sunday, Oct. 25, in Berkeley, Calif. High winds are expected in the East Bay hills Sunday night and a red flag fire warning has been issued for the area. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 25: A fire warning sign at Alum Rock Park in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
CONCORD, CA - OCT. 25: A PG&E troubleman works on repairing electrical wires that were touching due to high winds on Manzanita Court in Concord, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. The power in the neighborhood had to be turned off while repairs were made. Due to high winds and dry conditions PG&E will turn off the power to over 361,000 customers in 36 counties to protect them from possible wildfires caused by downed power lines. The National Weather Service predicts offshore winds from the north peaking at higher elevations up to 70 mph. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 25: A fire warning sign at Alum Rock Park in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
MORAGA, CA - OCT. 25: A boy rides his bike past the fire danger meter showing extreme fire danger in front of the Moraga-Orinda Fire District Station 41 in Moraga, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. Due to high winds and dry conditions PG&E will turn off the power to over 361,000 customers in 36 counties to protect them from possible wildfires caused by downed power lines. The National Weather Service predicts offshore winds from the north peaking at higher elevations up to 70 mph. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
CONCORD, CA - OCT. 25: Debris flies through the air as a PG&E troubleman works on repairing electrical wires that were touching due to high winds on Manzanita Court in Concord, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. The power in the neighborhood had to be turned off while repairs were made. Due to high winds and dry conditions PG&E will turn off the power to over 361,000 customers in 36 counties to protect them from possible wildfires caused by downed power lines. The National Weather Service predicts offshore winds from the north peaking at higher elevations up to 70 mph. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - OCT. 25: One light is all that is on at the local Starbucks on Mountain Blvd in the Montclair neighborhood after the power has been shut off due to high winds in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. Due to high winds and dry conditions PG&E will turn off the power to over 361,000 customers in 36 counties to protect them from possible wildfires caused by downed power lines. The National Weather Service predicts offshore winds from the north peaking at higher elevations up to 70 mph. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
CLICK HERE if you’re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device.
With winds howling in the hills and debris and dust blowing through the air, homes and businesses in the Bay Area began losing power at about 8 p.m. Sunday. Around that same time, fires crews in East Contra Costa encountered their first flames of the night — a fire involving multiple piles of horse stable shavings in the community of Byron. Although the high winds were causing embers to spread from pile to pile, crews quickly knocked down the small spot fires before they were able to spread.
Citing hazardous winds and extremely low humidity levels, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning lasting through 5 p.m. Tuesday in the North Bay mountains and East Bay hills and through 11 a.m. Monday in the coastal regions and Santa Cruz Mountains.
Commonly referred to as Diablo winds, the strong offshore gales were expected to be at their strongest overnight. As of 9 p.m. Sunday, gusts had already reached peaks of 80 mph atop Mount Saint Helena, 69 mph in the Healdsburg hills and 60 mph on Mount Diablo, according to the National Weather Service.
Another cup of coffee, another update:
Mt St Helena observed an 80 mph gust on top of a 70 mph wind.#CAwx pic.twitter.com/hnZGEVzaTt — NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) October 26, 2020
“The big concern is the area that is going to be affected will be a lot more widespread than previous events,” said Meteorologist Gerry Diaz, who noted that the anticipated conditions bore a resemblance to those that led to the devastating Oakland hills conflagration in 1991.
The most dangerous wind event of the year comes as California has already set a state record for most acres burned in a year. As of Sunday, this year’s fires have consumed more than 4.1 million acres, destroyed at least 9,200 structures and killed 31 people. Four of the state’s five largest fires in recorded history have occurred this year, including the August Complex — the state’s first fire to burn more than 1 million acres.
By Sunday afternoon, crews in Shasta County were already working to contain four different fires that broke out earlier in the day and prompted several evacuation orders.
Berkeley and Contra Costa County officials urged residents in high-risk areas to relocate Sunday ahead of the dangerous conditions that were expected overnight. Popular parks in San Mateo and Sonoma counties announced closures through Monday due to the risk of wildfires.
Heeding the warnings from officials, a steady stream of evacuees checked into Doubletree Hotel in the Berkeley Marina on Sunday afternoon.
Cathy and Everett Moran had ignored many red-flag warnings in the past. But Sunday, the elderly couple decided to leave their Berkeley Hills home of 51 years to spend the night at the hotel.
“This one seemed serious,” said Everett Moran, one of more than a dozen evacuees who checked into the hotel after city officials encouraged them to leave and noted special offers to city residents fleeing the danger. Officials stressed that their message was not an evacuation order, but an effort to keep roads clear in hilly communities in the event of such a notice.
The couple had two small bags, with plans to stay two nights at the hotel. They packed books, puzzles and their hiking sticks — turning their evacuation into a “little getaway,” said Cathy Moran.
“There’s no use worrying,” she said. “We will be alarmed if a fire happens.”
Katie Peterson, another evacuee who left her home of two years with her 2-year-old and husband, said the situation Sunday afternoon felt less stressful than what might follow.
“This is a minor inconvenience,” said Peterson, a UC Davis English professor who lives near Grizzly Peak. “Our lives aren’t in upheaval yet. Let’s hope we don’t get to upheaval.”
The dangerous conditions — caused by a mix of low humidity, high winds and dry fire fuel — prompted CalFire officials early Sunday morning to keep all personnel who were already on duty working through at least Monday morning, according to spokesman Robert Foxworthy. Going into the evening hours, CalFire was staging personnel, equipment and reserve engines across Northern California in locations at the highest risk of fire activity.
“This wind event isn’t going to surprise anybody,” Foxworthy said. “Everyone is mentally prepared for what could happen.”
Forecast wind gusts from Sunday morning through Monday evening. Offshore winds (from the north and northeast) increase from north to south across the #BayArea today and peak overnight before gradually diminishing on Monday. Red Flag Warnings and Wind Advisories in effect. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/Ah7XLHEdHE — NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) October 25, 2020
After a long and horrific fire season, Thomas Gallinatti, a retired Oakland firefighter who is a candidate for the San Ramon Valley Fire Board, said Sunday that he was confident most East Bay foothill residents were prepared for what was to come overnight.
“People should be dialed into what is happening,” he said Sunday morning.
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Paul Adamson, who lives on a hill in Kensington, said he was aware of the evacuation recommendation in nearby Berkeley. But he had no plans to prepare to leave although the conditions had him on alert.
“When the winds get up I’m always concerned,” Adamson said.


mercurynews--2020-10-26--Kurtenbach: Yes, Jimmy Garoppolo beat the Patriots, but don’t be fooled

The easy narrative following the 49ers ’ beatdown of the New England Patriots in Foxborough will be that San Francisco quarterback and former Patriot Jimmy Garoppolo went to his old stomping grounds and showed his former team why it was a mistake to trade him .
However , things are never that simple in football or with the Niners ’ QB .
Garoppolo played well enough to win on Sunday .
The bar was low , given how far the Patriots have fallen this past season and how well the 49ers defense is playing as of late , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26-8 all-time as a starting quarterback , and that ’ s a record you can not take for granted .
But the real reason the 49ers won Sunday had little to do with Garoppolo .
CLICK HERE if you ’ re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device .
• Jimmy Garoppolo recalls instant ‘ love ’ of 49ers ’ chemistry after trade from Patriots • Bill Belichick still roots for Jimmy Garoppolo — just not this week No , the Niners had , despite countless injuries , a better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their superior talent manhandled a New England team that looked nothing like the machines coach Bill Belichick has built over the last two decades .
In fact , Garoppolo was asked by head coach and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to do the absolute bare minimum against New England .
Simply : Don ’ t lose us the game .
And when , on Sunday , Garoppolo hinted early that he might not heed that advice , throwing an ugly-as-sin interception on the second possession of the game , Shanahan changed the game plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterback .
For the second week in a row , a third time this season , and a fifth time in his last seven games as a starter , Garoppolo was asked to simply hand the ball off or throw short , easy-to-complete screens and slants .
Shanahan was hiding him , plain and simple .
And now that the 49ers are back in the hunt for more than just a berth in the playoffs , it ’ ll be interesting to see if they can continue to win with that formula .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday ’ s offensive performance from the 49ers was outstanding and deserves plaudits .
The Niners ran roughshod over a wholly inferior Patriots team without much — if any resistance .
( That was as strange to type as I ’ m sure it was to read ) .
On 37 carries Sunday , the Niners amassed 197 yards on the ground .
If you built up a respect for the Pats and head coach Bill Belichick over the last two decades , it was tough to watch — a true fall from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acrimony over that time , Sunday ’ s game was a party .
And no member of the Shanahan family is ever going to turn down an opportunity to win a game by running the ball .
I think a diagram of an outside zone run is at the center of their family crest .
Even the less run-inclined coaches in the league will take a ground-and-pound victory like the Niners ’ on Sunday .
And if you can win that way , by all means , win that way .
Ultimately , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run the ball with gusto and to play tenacious defense .
They ’ ve done that the last two weeks and have won twice .
But that ’ s just one kind of smoke .
It can only carry you so far .
No , the great offenses , like last year ’ s Niners were up to a point , can beat you in both the run game and the passing game .
True offensive balance — the kind Shanahan desires , not the ham-fisted kind we see from coordinators trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true strength in this league .
But right now , San Francisco ’ s quarterback is more of a liability than an asset .
And that ’ s not just me saying that — it ’ s Shanahan , through his playcalling .
Garoppolo completed 20 of 25 passes for 277 yards and two interceptions on Sunday .
Not a bad stat line , though one interception was galling and the other was a byproduct of a questionable Hail Mary toss at the end of the first half .
But the box score @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 came at or behind the line of scrimmage .
Shanahan , using wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel ( the latter who spent time as a running back in this game , before picking up an unnecessary fourth-quarter injury ) on frequent jet and orbit motions , created a fake run-pass option for Garoppolo Sunday – a faux-RPO .
And it wasn ’ t Garoppolo making the choice , it was Shanahan .
Whether it was a handoff , a shovel pass , or a screen pass , the Niners ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stretching the not-exactly-athletic Patriots ’ defense sideline-to-sideline and creating advantageous one-on-one matchups .
And of those 10 other Garoppolo competitions , only one of them traveled more than 15 yards in the air .
It took an exceptional athletic effort by Aiyuk to rein in that pass — a better ball would have resulted in an easy touchdown .
Only two Garoppolo throws Sunday — by my count — were made in a tight window .
What the 49ers did on Sunday worked .
There will no doubt be other games this season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But there will also be games where Shanahan can not hide his quarterback by scaling back the offense into a series of handoffs and screens .
There will be contests where the defense , which is still ravaged by injury , won ’ t be playing against a quarterback who makes Garoppolo look like a dramatic upgrade .
There will be contests where the Niners don ’ t take an early lead and are therefore not allowed to control the game script .
What happens then ?
Shanahan can try , but not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garoppolo under wraps all season .
Even a grandmaster only has so many moves .
Nearly halfway through the season , we ’ re asking the same question we were asking in January and February , August and September .
But does Garoppolo have another gear — the kind we ’ ve seen flashed in 2017 and 2019 .
Can he take over a game and lead the 49ers to a victory ?
If he can , these tough and resilient 49ers might just be back in the Super Bowl hunt .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factor of this Niners season .
I don ’ t think we ’ ll have to wait long to find out .
The Niners have done exceptionally well to be back in the thick of things as the calendar flips .
Now , they get the toughest November schedule in the NFL — the Seahawks , Packers , Saints , and Rams loom .
You can ’ t use smoke and mirrors to exit that gauntlet with your season dreams intact .
No sir .
The Niners are going to need their quarterback @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The easy narrative following the 49ers’ 33-6 beatdown of the New England Patriots in Foxborough will be that San Francisco quarterback and former Patriot Jimmy Garoppolo went to his old stomping grounds and showed his former team why it was a mistake to trade him.
However, things are never that simple in football or with the Niners’ QB.
Garoppolo played well enough to win on Sunday. The bar was low, given how far the Patriots have fallen this past season and how well the 49ers defense is playing as of late, but he hurdled it. He’s now 26-8 all-time as a starting quarterback, and that’s a record you cannot take for granted.
But the real reason the 49ers won Sunday had little to do with Garoppolo. (Story continues below slideshow.)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Lawrence Guy #93 of the New England Patriots tackles Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Jeff Wilson #30 of the San Francisco 49ers dives with the ball during a game against the New England Patriots on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Jonathan Jones #31 and Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots during their NFL game at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball off to Jeff Wilson Jr. #30 during their NFL game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 25: Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by members of the New England Patriots in the first half at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots looks to pass against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Jeff Wilson Jr. #30 of the San Francisco 49ers grabs his left leg after scoring on a seven-yard touchdown against the New England Patriots in the third quarter of their NFL game at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) eludes New England Patriots defensive back J.C. Jackson (27) after catching a pass in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, center, watches from the sideline in the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Lawrence Guy #93 of the New England Patriots tackles Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Jeff Wilson #30 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball during a game against the New England Patriots on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 25: Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates after an interception against the New England Patriots in the first half at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo passes against the New England Patriots in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Jeff Wilson Jr. #30 of the San Francisco 49ers runs for a seven-yard touchdown against the New England Patriots in the third quarter of their NFL game at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled with the ball during a game against the New England Patriots on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Jeff Wilson Jr. #30 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his 16-yard touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second quarter of their NFL game at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Jakob Johnson #47 of the New England Patriots fumbles against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 25: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers escapes the tackle of Ja'Whaun Bentley #51 of the New England Patriots in the first half at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Jeff Wilson Jr. #30 of the San Francisco 49ers runs for a seven-yard touchdown against the New England Patriots in the third quarter of their NFL game at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball for a four-yard touchdown against the New England Patriots during their NFL game at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 25: Gunner Olszewski #80 of the New England Patriots is tackled by Joe Walker #59 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first half at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Jeff Wilson Jr. #30 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball against the New England Patriots during their NFL game at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo passes against the New England Patriots in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Jakob Johnson #47 of the New England Patriots fumbles the ball as he is hit by Azeez Al-Shaair #51 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers dives with the ball during a game against the New England Patriots on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 25: Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after an interception against the New England Patriots in the first half at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton, rear, passes under pressure from San Francisco 49ers defenders Fred Warner (54) and Kerry Hyder Jr. (92) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr. gains yardage against the New England Patriots in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Kendrick Bourne #84 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a touchdown during a game against the New England Patriots on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo passes against the New England Patriots in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Jeff Wilson #30 of the San Francisco 49ers scores a touchdown in the third quarter of a game against the New England Patriots on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
New England Patriots linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley (51) tackles San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (30) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (30) walks off the field after an injury while scoring a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 25: Jeff Wilson #30 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled during a game against the San Francisco 49ers on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr., left, celebrates his touchdown with George Kittle, right, in the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
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No, the Niners had, despite countless injuries, a better 48-man roster than the Patriots, and their superior talent manhandled a New England team that looked nothing like the machines coach Bill Belichick has built over the last two decades.
In fact, Garoppolo was asked by head coach and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to do the absolute bare minimum against New England. Simply: Don’t lose us the game.
And when, on Sunday, Garoppolo hinted early that he might not heed that advice, throwing an ugly-as-sin interception on the second possession of the game, Shanahan changed the game plan to make it even easier on his quarterback.
Oof. Over the middle interception, as usual from Garoppolo. Pretty much all of his picks are right over the mid. #49ers pic.twitter.com/Puj3hh1f1R — James Brady (@jamesbradyisme) October 25, 2020
For the second week in a row, a third time this season, and a fifth time in his last seven games as a starter, Garoppolo was asked to simply hand the ball off or throw short, easy-to-complete screens and slants. Shanahan was hiding him, plain and simple.
And now that the 49ers are back in the hunt for more than just a berth in the playoffs, it’ll be interesting to see if they can continue to win with that formula.
Please don’t misunderstand me. Sunday’s offensive performance from the 49ers was outstanding and deserves plaudits. The Niners ran roughshod over a wholly inferior Patriots team without much — if any resistance. (That was as strange to type as I’m sure it was to read). On 37 carries Sunday, the Niners amassed 197 yards on the ground.
If you built up a respect for the Pats and head coach Bill Belichick over the last two decades, it was tough to watch — a true fall from grace. If you built up some acrimony over that time, Sunday’s game was a party.
And no member of the Shanahan family is ever going to turn down an opportunity to win a game by running the ball. I think a diagram of an outside zone run is at the center of their family crest.
Even the less run-inclined coaches in the league will take a ground-and-pound victory like the Niners’ on Sunday. And if you can win that way, by all means, win that way. Ultimately, the identity of the Niners is to run the ball with gusto and to play tenacious defense. They’ve done that the last two weeks and have won twice.
But that’s just one kind of smoke. It can only carry you so far.
No, the great offenses, like last year’s Niners were up to a point, can beat you in both the run game and the passing game. True offensive balance — the kind Shanahan desires, not the ham-fisted kind we see from coordinators trying to make the run-pass numbers match — is true strength in this league. But right now, San Francisco’s quarterback is more of a liability than an asset.
And that’s not just me saying that — it’s Shanahan, through his playcalling.
Garoppolo completed 20 of 25 passes for 277 yards and two interceptions on Sunday. Not a bad stat line, though one interception was galling and the other was a byproduct of a questionable Hail Mary toss at the end of the first half.
But the box score lies. Of those 20 completions, 10 came at or behind the line of scrimmage. Shanahan, using wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel (the latter who spent time as a running back in this game, before picking up an unnecessary fourth-quarter injury) on frequent jet and orbit motions, created a fake run-pass option for Garoppolo Sunday – a faux-RPO. And it wasn’t Garoppolo making the choice, it was Shanahan. Whether it was a handoff, a shovel pass, or a screen pass, the Niners’ playmakers had the ball outside the tackles stretching the not-exactly-athletic Patriots’ defense sideline-to-sideline and creating advantageous one-on-one matchups.
And of those 10 other Garoppolo competitions, only one of them traveled more than 15 yards in the air. It took an exceptional athletic effort by Aiyuk to rein in that pass — a better ball would have resulted in an easy touchdown.
Only two Garoppolo throws Sunday — by my count — were made in a tight window.
What the 49ers did on Sunday worked. There will no doubt be other games this season where that will be the case.
But there will also be games where Shanahan cannot hide his quarterback by scaling back the offense into a series of handoffs and screens. There will be contests where the defense, which is still ravaged by injury, won’t be playing against a quarterback who makes Garoppolo look like a dramatic upgrade. There will be contests where the Niners don’t take an early lead and are therefore not allowed to control the game script.
What happens then?
Shanahan can try, but not even he is good enough to keep Garoppolo under wraps all season. Even a grandmaster only has so many moves.
Nearly halfway through the season, we’re asking the same question we were asking in January and February, August and September.
But does Garoppolo have another gear — the kind we’ve seen flashed in 2017 and 2019. Can he take over a game and lead the 49ers to a victory?
If he can, these tough and resilient 49ers might just be back in the Super Bowl hunt.
If not, it will be the defining factor of this Niners season.
I don’t think we’ll have to wait long to find out. The Niners have done exceptionally well to be back in the thick of things as the calendar flips. Now, they get the toughest November schedule in the NFL — the Seahawks, Packers, Saints, and Rams loom.
You can’t use smoke and mirrors to exit that gauntlet with your season dreams intact. No sir.
The Niners are going to need their quarterback to start making some winning plays.


mercurynews--2020-10-26--What the Raiders are saying after their loss to Tampa Bay

After putting up a good fight for most of the game , the Raiders fell 45-20 to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon .
Brady threw two of his four touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to help the Bucs pull away after the Raiders closed within 24-20 with 12 1/2 minutes left in the game .
The 43-year-old former Serra High star ’ s last TD pass , a 1-yarder to rookie Tyler Johnson , moved him past the Saints ’ Drew Brees for the most career TD passes in NFL history ( 559 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raiders ’ defense while completing 33-of-45 passes for 369 yards to drop Jon Gruden ’ s crew to 3-3 on the season .
The Bucs scored 21 straight points after the Raiders elected to kick a 42-yard field goal on a fourth-and-1 play to make it 24-20 .
The Raiders became just the second team since 2017 to elect to kick a field goal on fourth-and-1 while trailing by 4-8 points in the fourth quarter , according to the Associated Press .
Here ’ s what the Raiders had to say after suffering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory in years over Kansas City : On his team : “ I ’ m proud of our guys , really proud of our team .
We had a tough week .
We were in the ballgame , seven , eight minutes left , 24-20 .
It got away from us at the end .
We have to play better .
Obviously on defense , we ’ ve got better players .
We ’ ve got to play better .
We will .
It ’ s disappointing , credit to Tampa Bay .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think we are , too.
” On kicking field goal on fourth-and-1 , down seven : “ It was a long one , more like two .
And it was a 24-20 game at that time with the field goal .
We felt , at home , a little momentum , we could hold Tampa … at least get off the field .
We had ’ em third-and-12 .
We had ’ em right where we wanted ’ em .
And they convert it on a checkdown .
Very disappointed , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , but in hindsight I probably would have done the same thing.
” On Gabe Jackson ’ s ejection : “ I did not see what he did .
I was asking the officials , you ’ ll have to get their interpretation .
I believe the ejection came from New York City , they had access to replays perhaps we didn ’ t .
But losing Sam Young early in the game and then losing Gabe , with the week that we have had against a heck of a defense , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubt.
” On their defense : “ We ’ ve got to do a better job .
It goes back to me .
Obviously , missing ( Johnathan ) Abram and ( Damon ) Arnette on the back end , it ’ s tough on us .
But I ’ m not making excuses .
We did not get enough pass rush today , and if you let Tom Brady sit back there and survey the field , he ’ s proved it for 20 years , he ’ s proving it for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still one of the very , very best .
They have an arsenal of weapons , credit to them , but we have to generate a better rush , and until we do it ’ s going to continue to be tough.
” On facing adversity : “ I ’ m really proud of ’ em .
Even until the very end , they played their hearts out .
We ’ ve got to play better in all phases .
It was a tough week , certainly .
It will make us better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it motivates a lot of people out there that you can go out and accomplish great things in adversity .
Hopefully , deep down there ’ s benefits to be had here.
” On Nelson Agholor : “ He can get deep , he ’ s good after the catch .
He ’ s versatile , he ’ s got great stamina , he ’ s a pro player , he ’ s a great champion and I ’ m really proud to have him aboard .
Hopefully , we get Bryan Edwards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be a hard guy to get off the field.
” On their pass rush : “ I ’ m not going to say it here today .
Obviously , there ’ s some things we have to take a good look at .
That process will start as soon as the press conference is over .
If we ’ re going to rush four , we ’ re going to have to do a lot better than we did today.
” • Raiders face huge fine , possible loss of draft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Buccaneers too much for Raiders in 45-20 win On Gabe Jackson ’ s ejection : “ On the play after the touchdown , the down judge throws a flag for number 66 ( Jackson ) stepping on an opponent , right on his shoulder , while he was on the ground .
”

After putting up a good fight for most of the game, the Raiders fell 45-20 to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon.
Brady threw two of his four touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to help the Bucs pull away after the Raiders closed within 24-20 with 12 1/2 minutes left in the game. The 43-year-old former Serra High star’s last TD pass, a 1-yarder to rookie Tyler Johnson, moved him past the Saints’ Drew Brees for the most career TD passes in NFL history (559).
Brady faced little pressure from the Raiders’ defense while completing 33-of-45 passes for 369 yards to drop Jon Gruden’s crew to 3-3 on the season.
The Bucs scored 21 straight points after the Raiders elected to kick a 42-yard field goal on a fourth-and-1 play to make it 24-20. The Raiders became just the second team since 2017 to elect to kick a field goal on fourth-and-1 while trailing by 4-8 points in the fourth quarter, according to the Associated Press.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders takes the snap in the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Scotty Miller #10 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers catches a touchdown pass while being guarded by Nevin Lawson #26 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Getty Images LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drops back to pass in the second quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Getty Images LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Scotty Miller #10 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers catches a touchdown pass while being guarded by Nevin Lawson #26 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Devin White #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sacks Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
AP Photo Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs against Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Jordan Whitehead (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) scored a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) scores a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on from the sideline in the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
AP Photo Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
AP Photo Las Vegas Raiders inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (44) and free safety Erik Harris (25) attempt to tackle Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones (27) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Leonard Fournette #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball while being tackled by Clelin Ferrell #96 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hands the ball off the Ronald Jones II #27 in the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Getty Images LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Devin White #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sacks Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Leonard Fournette #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball while being tackled by Erik Harris #25 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) scored a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Getty Images LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs with the ball while being tackled by Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Getty Images LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on from the sideline in the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders takes the snap in the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Getty Images LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gives a thumbs up in the third quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders drops back to pass in the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) scores a touchdown under Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebacker Lavonte David (54) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown on a sneak play in the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Getty Images LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs with the ball while being tackled by Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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Here’s what the Raiders had to say after suffering a disappointing loss following their biggest upset victory in years over Kansas City:
Raiders coach Jon Gruden:
On his team: “I’m proud of our guys, really proud of our team. We had a tough week. We were in the ballgame, seven, eight minutes left, 24-20. It got away from us at the end. We have to play better. Obviously on defense, we’ve got better players. We’ve got to play better. We will. It’s disappointing, credit to Tampa Bay. They’re a good team, I think we are, too.”
On kicking field goal on fourth-and-1, down seven: “It was a long one, more like two. And it was a 24-20 game at that time with the field goal. We felt, at home, a little momentum, we could hold Tampa … at least get off the field. We had ’em third-and-12. We had ’em right where we wanted ’em. And they convert it on a checkdown. Very disappointed, it’s easy to second guess right now, but in hindsight I probably would have done the same thing.”
On Gabe Jackson’s ejection: “I did not see what he did. I was asking the officials, you’ll have to get their interpretation. I believe the ejection came from New York City, they had access to replays perhaps we didn’t. But losing Sam Young early in the game and then losing Gabe, with the week that we have had against a heck of a defense, it was tough on us, no doubt.”
On their defense: “We’ve got to do a better job. It goes back to me. Obviously, missing (Johnathan) Abram and (Damon) Arnette on the back end, it’s tough on us. But I’m not making excuses. We did not get enough pass rush today, and if you let Tom Brady sit back there and survey the field, he’s proved it for 20 years, he’s proving it for 21 years, that he’s still one of the very, very best. They have an arsenal of weapons, credit to them, but we have to generate a better rush, and until we do it’s going to continue to be tough.”
On facing adversity: “I’m really proud of ’em. Even until the very end, they played their hearts out. We’ve got to play better in all phases. It was a tough week, certainly. It will make us better in the long run. Hopefully, it motivates a lot of people out there that you can go out and accomplish great things in adversity. Hopefully, deep down there’s benefits to be had here.”
On Nelson Agholor: “He can get deep, he’s good after the catch. He’s versatile, he’s got great stamina, he’s a pro player, he’s a great champion and I’m really proud to have him aboard. Hopefully, we get Bryan Edwards back soon, but Nelly’s going to be a hard guy to get off the field.”
On their pass rush: “I’m not going to say it here today. Obviously, there’s some things we have to take a good look at. That process will start as soon as the press conference is over. If we’re going to rush four, we’re going to have to do a lot better than we did today.”
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr
On offensive linemen missing practice: “You know me, I’m not going to use any excuses we can’t. We’re in a production-oriented business. All we care about is winning. But at the same time I’m a realistic. The job we were able to do against the No. 1 defense in the NFL … (I’m) very impressed. I want to say how proud I am of that offensive line. Not just the starters, but the backups also. The week they had, it’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen before, where we pull all the starters and they end up getting cleared and get to play. Very proud of those guys for what they were able to accomplish. They did something no one’s ever seen before in this league. The jobs they did on studying and all those good things. (But) this is a game of practice, and practicing together. When you don’t have all your guys out there during the week, it’s tough. Very proud of them coming in against a multiple-front, multiple-blitz operation that they are … they did a fantastic job. Obviously, we didn’t get the job done. We got beat today. We tip our hats to Tampa Bay, they’re a good defense. They’re a talented bunch, great coach, great players.”
On decision to kick field goal on fourth down trailing by 7: “If it’s fourth-and-4, I’m the one screaming, ‘Let’s go for it.’ I’m that guy. If it’s fourth-and-8, I’m the guy saying ‘Let’s go for it.’ The coaches are like, ‘Chill, bro.’ That’s why we have coaches. It was a long (1 yard to go). We said, ‘We’ll get the points, get a stop and go back down the field.’ We were moving the ball, so it wasn’t a feeling like we had to do it now. It was a good decision.
On how close the game was: “Everyone saw it. It was, what, 24-20 with seven minutes left? We’re moving the ball, obviously they’re the No. 1 defense in the league. We move the ball, they stop us some, we move the ball again, we’re hitting explosives .. we’re this close on three or four more big explosive plays. Thoroughly impressed with what we were able to accomplish. Again, was it enough? No, it wasn’t. The coach said in the locker room, we have nothing to hang our heads about. Did we win the game? No, it wasn’t good enough but the things we were able to put on film and where we’re headed, what we had to go through this week? Keep our head up, no pointing fingers. We’re on to the next game and we should hit the field running in practice and the same juice we’ve had all season.
“We’re 3-3, that’s what we’ve earned in this league. But we’ve got 10 games to go, we’ve got some good opponents we’re gonna play and I’m excited about it.”
On Nelson Agholor: “I’ve said it a lot of times, Zay Jones, Nelson Agholor, Darren Waller, all the tight ends, I’m gonna stop naming them because they were all there. But we spent so much time in the off-season working on all these things that are coming to fruition on the field. So, Nelson has been such a big pickup for us. Such a great player for us. I’m sure there’s a few plays he wants back, but I told him, ‘I’m gonna keep throwing it, so you just keep doing what you’re doing.’ I’m really excited about Nelson Agholor and I think Raider fans should be, too.”
On how confident the Raiders are despite being 3-3: “We have a good football team. This is probably the best offense I’ve been in since I’ve been in the NFL. This defense has talent all over it, now they have a few big plays here or there that they want back. But, man I see it in practice. I see it. I see what it could be. I see what we can be as an offense when we’re clicking on all cylinders. I see what we have. And to be 3-3 at this point, no one thought that was gonna be the case They thought for sure we’d be 1-5. If I’m being honest, I’d thought we’d be more than (3-3). In our locker room, we expected more. We’re just in the second quarter of the season. We’ve got a long way to go before this thing is over.”
NFL referee Scott Novak
(From pool report)
On Gabe Jackson’s ejection: “On the play after the touchdown, the down judge throws a flag for number 66 (Jackson) stepping on an opponent, right on his shoulder, while he was on the ground.”
Raiders left tackle Kolton Miller
On all five starting offensive linemen missing practice this week: “This whole year has been weird with the virus, but we did the best we could and followed protocol along the way. But individually, we tried to do our best with what we (had). When we weren’t at practice, those twos got a lot more extra reps. So in a way, they were a little bit more prepared to step in. But we’re just doing our best to stay healthy and try to overcome this virus.”
Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton
On the pass rush: “It basically comes down to the things that we practice, and then transitioning that into actual games. We practice great. Now we just have to correlate it to playing great during these intense game-time situations. Everybody’s capable of it and we always plan to strive and do those things. We just got to make work a little harder to make sure we do it.”
On comparing Patrick Mahomes to Tom Brady: “It’s two different styles. Because we have Patrick Mahomes — mobile, extends plays. Then we have Tom Brady — stationary, sitting in the pocket. Two different type of offenses to compare and just say, we did one thing more last week than we did this week. Just a different game plan, a different team and we didn’t get it done.”
On if he’s becoming more comfortable with the Raiders’ system: “Week by week. I feel a lot more comfortable. I feel like I’m progressing and getting better within this defense.”