Garland has kept O-line humming

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Center Ben Garland has filled in admirably since the injury to Weston Richburg, keeping the 49ers O-line playing at a high level. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/niners-ben-garland-is-an-unsung-hero/2215118/

Packers need new approach vs. 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: After losing big to the 49ers in November, the Packers say they'll need a new approach in the NFC Championship Game rematch. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/packers-must-find-new-approach-against-49ers/2214528/

Incognito gives Carr vote of confidence

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Do the Raiders need to change QBs? No way, says Richie Incognito. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/incognito-says-carr-is-the-quarterback-raiders-need/2214544/

Vikings will focus on stopping Kittle

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Vikings have been very good at stopping opposing tight ends, but now will try to stop one of the NFL's best, George Kittle. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/vikings-defense-will-focus-on-stopping-kittle/2213382/

Raiders' O-line was much better in '19

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Perhaps the Raiders' biggest improvement in 2019 came on the offensive line. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/raiders-offensive-line-evolved-from-weakness-to-strength/2213422/

Return of Ford should juice 49ers' pass rush

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: With Dee Ford, the 49ers' pass rush is among the best in the NFL. Without him, not so much. Now Ford returns for the playoffs. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/fords-return-should-energize-49ers-pass-rush/2212792/

Raiders sacks rose from 13 to 32

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: An influx of rookies helped the Raiders defense go from 13 sacks in 2018 to 32 in 2019. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/raiders-pass-rush-improved-significantly-in-2019/2212802/

Raiders' Hurst has strong second season

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Maurice Hurst has grown into a team strength on the defensive line. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/raiders-hurst-takes-big-step-in-second-season/2212239/

Moseley or Witherspoon at cornerback?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Ahkello Witherspoon struggled in his last game and was replaced by Emmanuel Moseley. Who will start in the playoff game vs. Vikings? https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/shanahan-waiting-to-name-a-starting-cornerback/2212219/

Soccer always has been in Gerhard Neuendorff's DNA, so he's still playing (and loving it) into his 50s

Everyone's path to fitness, health and activity is different, but there was no question Gerhard Neuendorff's would involve playing soccer into his late 50s. My story on him for the Active San Diego series of the Health section of the Union-Tribune. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/story/2020-01-06/well-into-his-50s-soccer-still-a-kick

Speculation: Brady might put on silver and black

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: If the Patriots don't re-sign Tom Brady, some believe he could come to the Raiders. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/how-would-tom-brady-look-in-silver-and-black/2211638/

Would Raiders' Mayock step down?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: GM Mike Mayock had a strong first season, but some believe it wouldn't be shocking for him to resign. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/is-raiders-gm-mike-mayock-considering-leaving/2211011/

Vikings' front seven is formidable

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: When the 49ers face the Vikings in a divisional round playoff game Saturday, they'll have to block a terrific Minnesota defensive front. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/vikings-defensive-front-can-create-havoc-for-49ers/2211607/

Injured players return for playoffs

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers are getting reinforcements just in time for their playoff opener vs. Vikings. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/niners-are-getting-some-reinforcements/2210993/

Raiders took some big steps in 2019

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders missed the playoffs again, but it can't be denied the team made significant progress, jumping to 7-9 after going 4-12 in 2018. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/raiders-came-a-long-way-this-season/2209887/

Rookies helped fuel 49ers' success

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Where would the 49ers be without this rookie class? Certainly, not in the playoffs. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/where-would-49ers-be-without-2019-draft-class/2209867/

Now-healthy Gould regains accuracy

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Kicker Robbie Gould, who was erratic early in 2019, is now his excellent self again after missing some games to rest his leg injury. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/niners-can-count-on-gould-once-more/2209271/

Jacobs enters 2020 as a bona fide star

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The only thing that could tackle Josh Jacobs in 2019 was a late-season injury. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/only-injury-stopped-josh-jacobs-in-rookie-year/2209290/

Kittle charging full speed into playoffs

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Tight end George Kittle is playing at an elite level entering his first pro playoff game. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-kittle-on-a-roll-heading-into-first-nfl-playoff-game/2208968/

Crosby a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Defensive end Maxx Crosby had 10 sacks, putting him among the candidates for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/raiders-excited-by-maxx-crosbys-future/2208943/