Vic Tafur
@victafur.bsky.social
Senior Writer @TheAthletic.
Cover 49ers & NFL. The Fade King of NFL picks. Boxing guy.
“I walk the earth, meet people, get in adventures, like Caine in Kung Fu”
Cover 49ers & NFL. The Fade King of NFL picks. Boxing guy.
“I walk the earth, meet people, get in adventures, like Caine in Kung Fu”
The injury-ravaged defense cannot hold up against good teams, while the offense still doesn’t run the ball well enough. And no trade the 49ers could have made on Tuesday at the league deadline would have changed Sunday’s outcome or their outlook. ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
November 10, 2025 at 3:18 PM
The injury-ravaged defense cannot hold up against good teams, while the offense still doesn’t run the ball well enough. And no trade the 49ers could have made on Tuesday at the league deadline would have changed Sunday’s outcome or their outlook. ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
After sobering loss to Rams, 49ers seek reset as Brock Purdy nears return www.nytimes.com/athletic/679... ⤵️
After sobering loss to Rams, 49ers seek reset as Brock Purdy nears return
Injuries and inconsistency have the 49ers searching for answers after falling to 6-4, but a favorable schedule offers hope.
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:41 AM
After sobering loss to Rams, 49ers seek reset as Brock Purdy nears return www.nytimes.com/athletic/679... ⤵️
49ers to start Mac Jones at QB vs. Rams; Brock Purdy may dress ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
49ers to start Mac Jones at QB vs. Rams; Brock Purdy may dress
Purdy has started only two games this season, with Jones going 5-2 in his place.
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:46 PM
49ers to start Mac Jones at QB vs. Rams; Brock Purdy may dress ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
“The way we attack, the points are a lot different than what they grew up doing in high school and college,” Kocurek said. “So it’s just constant repetition day in and day out, honing in on your aiming points, your attack stance, pad level and hand placement, all that.”
How the 49ers’ battered defensive line is fighting through a season from hell ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
How the 49ers' battered defensive line is fighting through a season from hell
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:40 PM
“The way we attack, the points are a lot different than what they grew up doing in high school and college,” Kocurek said. “So it’s just constant repetition day in and day out, honing in on your aiming points, your attack stance, pad level and hand placement, all that.”
How the 49ers’ battered defensive line is fighting through a season from hell ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
How the 49ers' battered defensive line is fighting through a season from hell
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:28 PM
How the 49ers’ battered defensive line is fighting through a season from hell ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
There is no excuse for Daniel Jones this week or the Colts this season … or for us not to have our fifth consecutive winning week. Week 10 NFL picks against the spread: ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
November 6, 2025 at 3:21 PM
There is no excuse for Daniel Jones this week or the Colts this season … or for us not to have our fifth consecutive winning week. Week 10 NFL picks against the spread: ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Why the 49ers didn’t make another deal before the NFL trade deadline www.nytimes.com/athletic/677... ⤵️
Why the 49ers didn't make another deal before the NFL trade deadline
www.nytimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Why the 49ers didn’t make another deal before the NFL trade deadline www.nytimes.com/athletic/677... ⤵️
Mac Jones shines for 49ers yet again, in what might be his last chance this season ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
November 3, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Mac Jones shines for 49ers yet again, in what might be his last chance this season ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
As Jauan Jennings starts to feel better, 49ers hope WR becomes more of a factor www.nytimes.com/athletic/676... ⤵️
As Jauan Jennings starts to feel better, 49ers hope WR becomes more of a factor
One of the reasons the 49ers value Jennings so much is his role in the run game. The team believes the best is yet to come from him.
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM
As Jauan Jennings starts to feel better, 49ers hope WR becomes more of a factor www.nytimes.com/athletic/676... ⤵️
Reposted by Vic Tafur
Feed the hot hands.
The Bills are 10-0 in games over the past two seasons in which James Cook has recorded 100-plus scrimmage yards.
And we’ve had three straight winning weeks with the picks. ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
The Bills are 10-0 in games over the past two seasons in which James Cook has recorded 100-plus scrimmage yards.
And we’ve had three straight winning weeks with the picks. ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
October 30, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Feed the hot hands.
The Bills are 10-0 in games over the past two seasons in which James Cook has recorded 100-plus scrimmage yards.
And we’ve had three straight winning weeks with the picks. ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
The Bills are 10-0 in games over the past two seasons in which James Cook has recorded 100-plus scrimmage yards.
And we’ve had three straight winning weeks with the picks. ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Are 49ers still looking for an edge? Five deals that make sense as deadline nears www.nytimes.com/athletic/676... ⤵️
Are 49ers still looking for an edge? Five deals that make sense as deadline nears
Yes, the 49ers acquired a pair of defensive linemen earlier this week. But neither is exactly the edge pass rusher the 49ers currently lack.
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Are 49ers still looking for an edge? Five deals that make sense as deadline nears www.nytimes.com/athletic/676... ⤵️
Feed the hot hands.
The Bills are 10-0 in games over the past two seasons in which James Cook has recorded 100-plus scrimmage yards.
And we’ve had three straight winning weeks with the picks. ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
The Bills are 10-0 in games over the past two seasons in which James Cook has recorded 100-plus scrimmage yards.
And we’ve had three straight winning weeks with the picks. ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
October 30, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Feed the hot hands.
The Bills are 10-0 in games over the past two seasons in which James Cook has recorded 100-plus scrimmage yards.
And we’ve had three straight winning weeks with the picks. ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
The Bills are 10-0 in games over the past two seasons in which James Cook has recorded 100-plus scrimmage yards.
And we’ve had three straight winning weeks with the picks. ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
NFL Week 9 picks against the spread: Why we like the home-underdog Bills vs. Chiefs www.nytimes.com/athletic/675... ⤵️
NFL Week 9 picks against the spread: Why we like the home-underdog Bills vs. Chiefs
James Cook is cooking, and Buffalo has beaten Kansas City in four consecutive regular-season meetings.
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:41 PM
NFL Week 9 picks against the spread: Why we like the home-underdog Bills vs. Chiefs www.nytimes.com/athletic/675... ⤵️
Raiders lose George Atkinson, another tie to league’s glorious, fierce past www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Raiders lose George Atkinson, another tie to league's glorious, fierce past
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Raiders lose George Atkinson, another tie to league’s glorious, fierce past www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Wrote a few words on George Atkinson passing away www.nytimes.com/athletic/675... ⤵️
Raiders lose George Atkinson, another tie to league’s glorious, fierce past
Atkinson, who died Monday, was a walking tribute to the old, lost era of professional football when players saw themselves as gladiators.
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Wrote a few words on George Atkinson passing away www.nytimes.com/athletic/675... ⤵️
49ers won’t blame injuries for loss in Houston: ‘They kicked our ass’ www.nytimes.com/athletic/675... ⤵️
49ers won’t blame injuries for loss in Houston: ‘They kicked our ass’
"We've got to take it like men and come back, hopefully a little pissed off, and play better next week," Kyle Shanahan said.
www.nytimes.com
October 26, 2025 at 11:57 PM
49ers won’t blame injuries for loss in Houston: ‘They kicked our ass’ www.nytimes.com/athletic/675... ⤵️
Kyle Shanahan’s building a strong case for his first Coach of the Year honor.
Always regarded as a top play-caller, he’s kept an injury-ravaged #49ers team together and “lays out everything it’s going to take to win the (next) game.”
How he’s done it: www.nytimes.com/athletic/674... ⤵️
Always regarded as a top play-caller, he’s kept an injury-ravaged #49ers team together and “lays out everything it’s going to take to win the (next) game.”
How he’s done it: www.nytimes.com/athletic/674... ⤵️
October 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Kyle Shanahan’s building a strong case for his first Coach of the Year honor.
Always regarded as a top play-caller, he’s kept an injury-ravaged #49ers team together and “lays out everything it’s going to take to win the (next) game.”
How he’s done it: www.nytimes.com/athletic/674... ⤵️
Always regarded as a top play-caller, he’s kept an injury-ravaged #49ers team together and “lays out everything it’s going to take to win the (next) game.”
How he’s done it: www.nytimes.com/athletic/674... ⤵️
NFL Week 8 picks against the spread: Lamar Jackson’s back.
We hit 4 of 5 best bets last week to make it two straight winning weeks. Our one loser scored 33 points in the fourth quarter. www.nytimes.com/athletic/673... ⤵️
We hit 4 of 5 best bets last week to make it two straight winning weeks. Our one loser scored 33 points in the fourth quarter. www.nytimes.com/athletic/673... ⤵️
October 24, 2025 at 1:37 PM
NFL Week 8 picks against the spread: Lamar Jackson’s back.
We hit 4 of 5 best bets last week to make it two straight winning weeks. Our one loser scored 33 points in the fourth quarter. www.nytimes.com/athletic/673... ⤵️
We hit 4 of 5 best bets last week to make it two straight winning weeks. Our one loser scored 33 points in the fourth quarter. www.nytimes.com/athletic/673... ⤵️
How Kyle Shanahan has kept the 49ers together in what might be his best coaching job yet www.nytimes.com/athletic/674... ⤵️
How Kyle Shanahan has kept the 49ers together in what might be his best coaching job yet
www.nytimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:49 PM
How Kyle Shanahan has kept the 49ers together in what might be his best coaching job yet www.nytimes.com/athletic/674... ⤵️
NFL Week 8 picks against the spread: Can Lamar Jackson (and no more ping-pong) fix the Ravens? www.nytimes.com/athletic/673... ⤵️
NFL Week 8 picks against the spread: Can Lamar Jackson (and no more ping-pong) fix the Ravens?
www.nytimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:22 PM
NFL Week 8 picks against the spread: Can Lamar Jackson (and no more ping-pong) fix the Ravens? www.nytimes.com/athletic/673... ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673... Christian McCaffrey runs — and catches — the show for 49ers in emotional win over Falcons ⤵️
Christian McCaffrey runs — and catches — the show for 49ers in emotional win over Falcons
www.nytimes.com
October 20, 2025 at 2:57 PM
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673... Christian McCaffrey runs — and catches — the show for 49ers in emotional win over Falcons ⤵️
Reposted by Vic Tafur
Nice story by @victafur.bsky.social on how a pair of Patriots castoffs have gotten older, gotten better but still know how to have fun …
www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
Reunited ex-Patriots teammates Mac Jones and Kendrick Bourne having fun with 49ers
Jones is 3-1 as a fill-in starter for San Francisco, has had 142 receiving yards in each of his last two games.
www.nytimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Nice story by @victafur.bsky.social on how a pair of Patriots castoffs have gotten older, gotten better but still know how to have fun …
www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
Kendrick Bourne could become the first 49ers WR with 100 or more receiving yards in 3 straight games since Jerry Rice did it in 1995.
“The NFC (title) Game in 2020, Jerry ran routes with me in warmups, & that was one of the best experiences in my life.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/672... ⤵️
“The NFC (title) Game in 2020, Jerry ran routes with me in warmups, & that was one of the best experiences in my life.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/672... ⤵️
Reunited ex-Patriots teammates Mac Jones and Kendrick Bourne having fun with 49ers
www.nytimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Kendrick Bourne could become the first 49ers WR with 100 or more receiving yards in 3 straight games since Jerry Rice did it in 1995.
“The NFC (title) Game in 2020, Jerry ran routes with me in warmups, & that was one of the best experiences in my life.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/672... ⤵️
“The NFC (title) Game in 2020, Jerry ran routes with me in warmups, & that was one of the best experiences in my life.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/672... ⤵️
Reunited ex-Patriots teammates Mac Jones and Kendrick Bourne having fun with 49ers www.nytimes.com/athletic/672... ⤵️
Reunited ex-Patriots teammates Mac Jones and Kendrick Bourne having fun with 49ers
Jones is 3-1 as a fill-in starter for San Francisco, has had 142 receiving yards in each of his last two games.
www.nytimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Reunited ex-Patriots teammates Mac Jones and Kendrick Bourne having fun with 49ers www.nytimes.com/athletic/672... ⤵️
49ers’ George Kittle had torn hamstring but will return for Sunday night game www.nytimes.com/athletic/672... ⤵️
49ers’ George Kittle had torn hamstring but will return for Sunday night game
The San Francisco tight end could have played last week but wanted to wait until the injury to his right leg was completely healed.
www.nytimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 11:37 PM
49ers’ George Kittle had torn hamstring but will return for Sunday night game www.nytimes.com/athletic/672... ⤵️