Kurtenbach: The playoffs start early with 49ers – Bears. My three predictions
Can the Niners run their winning streak to six — and set up a battle...
Sports Columnists
Kurtenbach: The Warriors think they’re back. We’ll see how long that lasts
The Dubs have a settled rotation and a three-game winning streak.
Kurtenbach: Klay Thompson is back in the Bay. The Warriors should make that permanent.
he Dubs want to trade Jonathan Kuminga. Why not use him to bring back a...
Kurtenbach: 49ers’ Dee Winters heard Philip Rivers’ play call. Then he ended the game.
Dee Winters listened and ended an otherwise questionable Niners' defensive performance with a 74-yard interception...
Studs and Duds: Brock Purdy’s exceptional day carries the Niners to a shootout win over Colts
Purdy is the first Niners quarterback to throw five touchdown passes in a game since...
Kurtenbach: Did anyone actually watch Philip Rivers play? My 49ers-Colts prediction
If the Niners cannot handle the Colts' high-school offense, it's a disqualifying event.
Kurtenbach: It’s impossible to hype Sharks star Macklin Celebrini enough. But I’ll keep trying
Down both his wingers, Macklin Celebrini turned in a four-point performance to lead the Sharks...
Kurtenbach: If Steph Curry can’t save the Warriors, we’re truly in the final days
Steph Curry scored 87 points in his first two games back. The Warriors went 0-2.
Kurtenbach: Trent Williams has a fantasy. The 49ers need to make it a reality
San Francisco 49ers: Trent Williams is one of the greatest offensive football players of all...
Kurtenbach: Brock Purdy has the 49ers’ offense dancing before the ‘big dance’
The 49ers are a flawed team, but their offense might be great enough to make...
Studs and Duds: Purdy dazzles, Pearsall dominates in 49ers’ win over Titans
Brock Purdy throws for 295 yards, three touchdowns in a Niners win.
Kurtenbach: For Sharks superstar Macklin Celebrini, the ‘C’ isn’t silent
The Sharks were down 5-1 in the third period to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Then Macklin...
Kurtenbach: Titans QB Cam Ward has the goods, but expect the 49ers to win anyway
Can the Niners take care of business for a fourth-straight game?
Kurtenbach: The NFL world expects the 49ers to trade Mac Jones this offseason. I don’t
Mac Jones' value to the 49ers is already locked in. It'll take a huge offer...
Kurtenbach: ‘Spencsanity’ is fun, but the next five games will tell us who the Warriors really are
After a feel-good weekend (unless you're Jonathan Kuminga), the Warriors face five worthy adversaries before...
Kurtenbach: The 49ers’ formula for success couldn’t be simpler. Doing it? That’s a different story
The 49ers' path to the No. 1 seed in the NFC was made easier during...
SF Giants fans deserve free agent signings by Buster Posey, not chatter
While Posey is reportedly "active" this offseason, the top teams are actually cutting checks.
Kurtenbach: The Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga saga only ends with losers
Jonathan Kuminga was condemned to the bench with more than a month until he can...
Kurtenbach: It looks like the Bay Area drew the World Cup short straw
Levi's Stadium's projected game schedule is a who's who of "who?"
49ers as NFC’s No. 1 seed? Don’t laugh — the path is clear
The road to the Super Bowl in Santa Clara might go through... Santa Clara.
Kurtenbach: Steve Kerr keeps telling us the Warriors can play defense. Let’s see it
The eye test and the stats don't line up for the Dubs' defense.
Why SF Giants fans shouldn’t want Barry Bonds in the Hall of Fame
Barry Bonds is one of eight players on the Baseball Hall of Fame's Contemporary Baseball...
Kurtenbach: The Giannis-to-the-Warriors dream is about to evaporate
Unless Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to go scorched earth in Milwaukee, he's not coming to play...
Sharks’ Will Smith should be considered for USA 2026 Olympic hockey roster
Smith has 27 points in 27 games.
Meet the new Bash Brothers — the 49ers have found a playoff-worthy safety duo in Mustapha and Brown
After weeks of searching, the Niners have found solid ground on the back end of...
Kurtenbach: The 49ers are battered, bruised and extremely dangerous as they head into their bye week
Brock Purdy's bounce-back game beat the Browns and set the Niners up for a big...
Studs and Duds: Brock Purdy bounces back, 49ers special teams shine in win over Browns
San Francisco 49ers 26, Cleveland Browns 8: Brock Purdy and the Niners' professional performance made...
Kurtenbach: 49ers can exploit Shedeur Sanders’ weaknesses, but they can’t overlook the rest of the Browns
Expect a defensive battle in sloppy weather. Welcome to post-Thanksgiving football.
Kurtenbach: The Warriors’ joy is gone, and Steph Curry might be, too
Another slog of a game and Steph Curry’s quad injury throw everything in the blender.
49ers need best of Brock Purdy as NFL playoffs loom. Can he still give it?
Brock Purdy says his injured toe isn't bothering him. His three interceptions against the Panthers...
Kurtenbach: The 49ers got away with one against the Panthers. It better be one-and-done
Brock Purdy's three interceptions overshadow great games from Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and the 49ers'...
49ers Studs and Duds: The Niners dominate while Brock Purdy implodes
Brock Purdy's three interceptions spoil a lopsided Niners' performance.
Kurtenbach: The superior 49ers should handle the Panthers. But does that sound like the 2025 Niners? My predictions for Monday Night Football
To beat the Panthers, the Brock Purdy and the 49ers can't beat themselves
Kurtenbach: Macklin Celebrini is the talk of hockey, but these other Sharks can really play
San Jose Sharks: Beyond Macklin Celebrini the Sharks future will be defined by the ascendant...
Kurtenbach: The Warriors survived the hard part of their schedule. Now it’s time for a run
Golden State Warriors: Steph Curry and the Dubs are coming off an 11-games-in-18-days stretch
Kurtenbach: Macklin Celebrini is the Sharks’ Steph Curry, and the revolution is just getting started
A 19-year-old is dominating the best league in the world. There's no limit to what...
Kurtenbach: Even after four years and 45 starts, the NFL doesn’t understand Brock Purdy
Why is Purdy not given credit for one of his elite skills?
Quarterback controversy? Purdy just reminded everyone why he’s the 49ers’ No. 1
There’s a reason the 49ers signed Purdy to a contract worth upwards of $265 million...
Studs and Duds: The 49ers’ big three — Purdy, Kittle, McCaffrey — dominate in blowout win over Cardinals
San Francisco 49ers 41 - Arizona Cardinals 22: Brock Purdy returns and the Niners get...
Kurtenbach: The San Francisco 49ers are… healthy? My Niners-Cardinals prediction
The Cardinals’ injury report outpaces the Niners, so I’m picking San Francisco to win.
The sky is not falling — three reasons for early-season Warriors optimism
What if I told you the Steph Curry and the Warriors were right where they...
Kurtenbach: Yes, the Sharks are for real. This is your call to jump on the bandwagon
Macklin Celebrini has the Sharks ahead of schedule and in an NHL playoff spot.
49ers’ roster plan from Shanahan & Lynch was brash. The bill is coming due
The Niners have not drafted well enough to survive another viscous onslaught of injuries.
49ers faced an elite team in Rams and were put in their place
Any idea of the Niners competing for a title was put to rest against the...
49ers Studs and Duds: Little to celebrate in lopsided loss to Rams
The Niners couldn't stop the Rams from start to finish.
Kurtenbach: My 49ers-Rams prediction — let chaos reign
Everything points to this game being one-sided. But something larger is at play, too.
Do the Warriors really think they can load manage their way to the playoffs?
Without Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, the Warriors dropped Wednesday’s game to the...
49ers sat out NFL trade deadline. Fans will eventually thank them
With prices out of control, the Niners were smart to not make a trade before...
Kurtenbach: The 49ers need more than they can afford at the NFL trade deadline
The Niners already used up all their tradable assets ahead of the NFL's trade deadline.
Kurtenbach: The ‘urgent’ 49ers passed a key test against the N.Y. Giants with ruthless execution
Mac Jones, Christian McCaffrey and the Niners made winning look easy against the Giants. It...
49ers Studs and Duds: Mac Jones, bruised and bleeding, shows total control in win over Giants
San Francisco 49ers 34 - New York Giants 24: Mac Jones and Christian McCaffrey post...
‘He’s going to be okay with ruffling feathers’ — Tony Vitello is here to shake up the SF Giants
Tony Vitello's introductory press conference could be the first step on the path to relevance.
Two-timelines? Jonathan Kuminga’s ascendant play turns the Warriors’ punchline into reality
Golden State Warriors: The Dubs weren't wrong, they were just early.
Sharks’ Celebrini uses first road trip of season to prove he’s the real deal
The Sharks' 19-year-old forward has ascended to NHL superstar status, and he has the talent...
For weeks, the 49ers have fended off the inevitable. It arrived in Houston
After weeks of injuries, the Niners might have reached their breaking point.
Kurtenbach: The Warriors’ impressive win over the Nuggets is a foreshadowing
What if the Warriors stay healthy? Then they're one of the NBA's best squads.
Kurtenbach: SF Giants’ new manager is a walking stick of dynamite. Buster Posey just lit the fuse
University of Tennessee coach Tony Vitello will add much-needed fire to the Giants organization
This is the Jonathan Kuminga ‘the whole world has been waiting to see’
Jonathan Kuminga played 33 minutes against the Lakers because he positively affected winning. That's a...
Warriors’ “Antiques Roadshow” is back — why Curry & Co. must slow-walk their way to playoffs
Steph Curry is in his age-38 season. Jimmy Butler just turned 36. Draymond Green will...
Kurtenbach: To fix their run game, the 49ers had to un-Shanahan their offense
Christian McCaffrey had a huge game as the Niners ran for 174 yards on a...
49ers Studs and Duds: Christian McCaffrey is still the NFL’s top running back
San Francisco 49ers 20 - Atlanta Falcons 10: Christian McCaffrey posted 201 yards of total...
Kurtenbach: My predictions for 49ers-Falcons — Can Mac Jones survive the Falcons’ onslaught?
The Niners are broken. This primetime matchup Is a survival test.
Kurtenbach: Kyle Shanahan once compared him to a 9-year-old. Now Kendrick Bourne is carrying the Niners
Signed after the start of the season, Kendrick Bourne has established himself as the Niners'...
The Bill Belichick disaster tour provides Cal football weird, wonderful opportunity
Bill Belichick's UNC comes to Cal Friday, bringing program-altering attention.
The 49ers’ run game was once the envy of the NFL. It’s been grounded
The Niners' offense needs to find a new gear for the remainder of the season....
Kurtenbach: Fred Warner’s season-ending injury is a breaking point for the 49ers’ season
Fred Warner is going to miss the remainder of the season after fracturing and dislocating...
Studs and Duds: 49ers had too many duds to overcome Fred Warner’s injury, Baker Mayfield
Fred Warner's injury loomed large as the Niners' defense offered no resistance to Baker Mayfield's...
Kurtenbach: Three predictions I got wrong about the first-place 49ers
San Francisco 49ers: Missing the playoffs, elite offensive line, Purdy for MVP? Three swings and...
Kurtenbach: Three things I’m watching for at the start of this crucial Sharks season
Is Will Smith's move to wing permanent and other questions we'll receive early answers to...
It’s Steve Kerr’s way or nothing for 2025-26 NBA season
Basketball IQ is the name of the game in San Francisco this season. No exceptions...
49ers’ win over Rams show Shanahan’s machine has NFL playoffs in future
Even with the most injured roster in the NFL, the Niners are 4-1 with a...
Studs and Duds: Kyle Shanahan, second-stringers lead hobbled 49ers to improbable win over Rams
Jones threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns in a 26-23 overtime win.
Jonathan Kuminga and Warriors are back together, but for how long?
Jonathan Kuminga answered questions about his long summer contract saga that won't go away for...
Kurtenbach: Buster Posey must prove himself this SF Giants offseason
Posey will hire his next manager and coaching staff, charting course for the franchise, not...
49ers WR Skyy Moore was once a third baseman. That could prove handy against the Rams
The best new play in football is a Rams kickoff.
Kurtenbach: Kuminga’s contract standoff turns Warriors’ media day into a 10-man circus
The Warriors' season started Monday with a flurry of signings -- no, not that one...
Kurtenbach: Buster Posey failed with Bob Melvin twice. He can’t fail the SF Giants again
Bob Melvin was fired Monday as Buster Posey seeks to remake the Giants into a...
Kurtenbach: The 49ers needed their $265 Million Man vs. the Jaguars, but he didn’t show
Brock Purdy's three turnovers doom the Niners in their first loss of the year.
Studs and Duds: Purdy looks injured and the run game looks feeble in Niners’ 26-21 loss to the Jaguars
What, exactly, did the Niners do well on Sunday?
Kurtenbach: I’ll take Brock Purdy over Trevor Lawrence — my predictions for 49ers-Jaguars
This one will look anything but easy.
Nick Bosa’s gone, so it’s on the 49ers’ offense to carry San Francisco to the postseason
The Niners' usually dominant run game has been stagnant the first three weeks.
Kurtenbach: The Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga deserve each other
The Dubs' contract stalemate with Jonathan Kuminga is threatening to reach the start of training...
Nick Bosa is out for the season and it’s hard to see how the 49ers recover
The Niners are 3-0 but they can't seem to catch a break.
Kurtenbach: ‘Next man up’? For the 3-0 49ers, it’s not just an empty saying
The Niners lost Nick Bosa but still won a pivotal division game over the Cardinals.
Studs and Duds: Ricky Pearsall’s elite day lifts Niners to improbable home win
The Niners had little business beating the Cardinals in Week 3. They did it anyway.
Kurtenbach: Can Mac Jones keep it up? Three predictions for 49ers-Cardinals
A battle of 2-0 teams will put the winner in the drivers' seat in the...
Kurtenbach: The Sharks’ rebuild has run its course. Now comes the hard part
A six-year playoff drought will probably turn into seven. But this Sharks season is about...
Kurtenbach: Rookie Connor Colby’s strong game justifies the 49ers’ ‘Brawnyball’ O-line approach
Colby didn't allow a pressure in the Niners' Week 2 win against the Saints.
Kurtenbach: Peak Posey — calling up Bryce Eldridge is the ultimate Buster move
Is the Giants' top prospect ready?
Kyle Shanahan gets the last laugh as he and Mac Jones lead the 49ers to a vintage win
San Francisco 49ers: Kyle Shanahan brought his backup quarterback and A-game to New Orleans and...
Studs and Duds: Niners’ huge win over Saints led by Christian McCaffrey and… Mac Jones?
Filling in for injured starter Brock Purdy, Mac Jones delivered a road win for the...
Brandon Staley’s time with the 49ers was unremarkable. His Saints defense is anything but
With the Niners' offensive injuries, the last thing they'll want to see is a Tite...
The Bob Show — DC Robert Saleh is here to save the 49ers’ season
The 49ers' defensive coordinator is going to earn his big salary.
Kurtenbach: You thought the 49ers’ chaos was limited to last season? Think again
With Brock Purdy and George Kittle already injured, the Niners’ 2025 season might be ‘86’d.’
The 49ers defense is leaning on rookies. Here’s how they did in Week 1
Mykel Williams and Marques Sigle look like Robert Saleh favorites after one week.
Kurtenbach: An act of mercy — it’s time (again) for the 49ers to cut kicker Jake Moody
The Niners' highly drafted kicker has made 12 of his last 21 field goals.
Kurtenbach: The 49ers’ season-opening win was all kinds of messy. Get used to it
No one will ask how the 49ers beat the Seahawks in a few weeks.
Studs and Duds: 49ers’ stars come up clutch in come-from-behind win over rival Seahawks
Brock Purdy and Nick Bosa shined when the lights were brightest in a 17-13 win...
Kurtenbach: A gut check for the Faithful — I’m predicting the 49ers will miss the playoffs in 2025
A game-by-game prediction of the Niners' 2025 season that doesn't go the way anyone wants.
Kurtenbach: Christian McCaffrey and Brian Robinson Jr. in the same 49ers backfield? Don’t bet on it
Asking for McCaffrey and B-Rob at the same time is to ignore what makes them...