49ers never woke up from special teams nightmare, and Week 1 proved it

The San Francisco 49ers' special teams is awful.

Such a statement could have been applied to the 2024 version under then-coordinator Brian Schneider.

Or it could be said about the revised unit under respected coordinator Brant Boyer after one week of action in 2025.

Boyer's changes to the crucial but often overlooked third phase of the game were noteworthy, bringing in punter Thomas Morstead and long-snapper Jon Weeks while also putting embattled kicker Jake Moody in a high-profile training camp competition against veteran Greg Joseph.

Moody ultimately won that competition, although there were few signs of a decisive win.

So, the regular-season opener against the Seattle Seahawks had to prove justification, right?

Right?

Special teams a nightmare in 49ers' Week 1 showdown vs. Seahawks

Perhaps things got off to an ominous start in the showdown at Lumen Field when newly acquired wide receiver and return specialist Skyy Moore muffed his first punt in a Niners uniform. While he ultimately recovered it before being pushed out of bounds, it wasn't necessarily a good sign for a player who was benched for the same issues during his Kansas City Chiefs tenure.

Then, there was Moody.

The third-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft hit the left upright on a would-be go-ahead 27-yard attempt in the second quarter, which only forced nightmares in the minds of San Francisco fans everywhere.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan didn't even give Moody a chance for retribution on the 49ers' next fourth-down try, opting to go for it and converting instead. However, Moody's next try was ultimately blocked, although not necessarily because of the kicker's gaffe:

Brutal. At least Moody made a game-tying try in the fourth quarter.

The Niners ultimately won their Week 1 NFC West showdown 17-13, but one can only wonder how the script would have been without the special teams gaffes that seemed not to end during the offseason's turnover. Maybe it wouldn't have been such a nail-biter.

Perhaps things turn around for the better in short order.

For now, though, special teams continues to be a San Francisco disaster, just as it was a year ago.

Red Sox’ Aroldis Chapman on 3rd-longest streak of hitless domination since 1901

Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman has been unstoppable on the mound against the Diamondbacks. His dominance is giving the Red Sox a crucial edge as the postseason race heats up. Aroldis Chapman’s hitless streak has now reached 17 straight appearances without allowing a hit. This marks one of the most remarkable pitching runs in recent MLB history.

Chapman’s hitless streak has also stretched to 14⅔ innings, dating back to July 26, and it now ranks as the third-longest since 1901. Only Randy Choate’s 20 straight appearances in 2011 and Tim Byrdak’s 18 consecutive outings in 2012 stand ahead of him.

As a result, Aroldis Chapman’s resurgence has been vital for the Red Sox bullpen. His command and velocity have returned to elite form, and his presence has transformed the dynamic of late-inning situations. Because of this, Boston can now rely on him to shut down opposing lineups when it matters most. Against teams like the Diamondbacks and other playoff contenders, his consistency has given the Red Sox the upper hand in tight games.

Furthermore, this run highlights Chapman’s ability to adapt. Known throughout his career for overpowering hitters, he has now added sharper pitch sequencing and better movement to his arsenal. Consequently, hitters are struggling to pick up his slider after seeing a triple-digit fastball, creating a nearly unhittable combination. With each outing, his confidence grows, and so does the team’s trust in him to deliver in critical spots.

Ultimately, the Red Sox remain locked in a fierce battle for postseason positioning, and Chapman’s dominance has provided a much-needed boost. If he maintains this pace, his historic run could play a pivotal role in Boston’s playoff push. For now, every appearance by Chapman feels like must-watch baseball. The only question left: how long can Aroldis Chapman keep this hitless streak alive and cement his place in MLB history?

And more importantly, can the Red Sox ride his dominance all the way into the postseason?

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