STRONG SAFTIES
Jamal Adams (l.) and Marcus Maye have lifted the Jets defense
The NFL announced on Friday that Arizona Cardinals safety Josh Shaw would be suspended through the 2020 season for gambling on NFL games.
Shaw, who has been on injured reserve with a shoulder injury since late August, wasn't found to have used any inside information that would give him an advantage when it comes to successfully betting on NFL games.
The NFL released a statement that said:
“A league investigation uncovered no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way. Nor was there evidence suggesting any awareness by teammates, coaches or other players of his betting activity.”
Commissioner Roger Goodell said, “The continued success of the NFL depends directly on each of us doing everything necessary to safeguard the integrity of the game and the reputations of all who participate in the league. At the core of this responsibility is the longstanding principle that betting on NFL games, or any element of a game, puts at risk the integrity of the game, damages public confidence in the NFL, and is forbidden under all circumstances. If you work in the NFL in any capacity, you may not bet on NFL football.”
Shaw, who has appeared in 55 games since joining the league in 2015, will be eligible to petition for reinstatement on February 15, 2021.
FACING LAMAR
With heavy pressure off the edge and lockdown coverage in the secondary, the San Francisco 49ers dominant defense forced Aaron Rodgers into the least efficient game of his career.
Having similar success against the NFL's most exciting quarterback will be a far different challenge this week. The 49ers (10-1) travel to Baltimore on Sunday to face Lamar Jackson and the Ravens (9-2).
Jackson is being talked up as an MVP candidate after accounting for 30 touchdowns on the ground and through the air and helping Baltimore average more than 40 points a game over the last five contests.
“The kid deserves it. He's playing good football,” 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman said of the praise going Jackson's way. “This kid is dynamic. He's taking over the league.”
San Francisco has one of the top defenses in the game this season as evidenced by last week's 37-8 win over Green Bay when the Niners held Rodgers to a career-low 3.2 yards per attempt.
The 49ers have allowed the fewest yards (248 per game), recorded the most sacks (44) and rank second best in points allowed (14.8) per game. They have been especially strong in the passing game where the 136.9 yards allowed per game are the lowest in the NFL in 37 years.