Eddy Pineiro Defends Jake Moody After Winning Special Teams Award
The San Francisco 49ers just keep on finding ways to win, and in Week 5, they did so against the high-powered Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football, despite missing a slew of key players thanks to injuries. Eddy Pineiro nailed a game-winning field goal in overtime, handing the Niners their fourth win of the season.
After replacing Jake Moody as the 49ers’ kicker early in the season, Pineiro has helped stabilize the position for the NFC West frontrunner. Pineiro’s efforts in San Francisco’s latest win helped him earn the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week Award, and after receiving this honor, he sent a message to Moody.
Eddy Pineiro Issues Supportive Message to Jake Moody
After enjoying a strong rookie season with the 49ers in 2023, Moody fell apart down the stretch in 2024, and after missing a pair of field goals in the team’s season-opening win against the Seattle Seahawks, he was released by the team. That led to Pineiro getting signed, and he’s been nearly perfect since taking over for Moody.
In four games, Pineiro has made all 11 of his field goal attempts, while also hitting six of his seven extra point attempts. In Week 5, Pineiro hit all four of his field goals (including the aforementioned game-winner) and two extra points, which helped him earn the player of the week award.
Ever since arriving in San Francisco, folks have been consistently comparing Pineiro to Moody. That’s simply not a discussion that Pineiro wants to be a part of, and after winning this award, he sent an encouraging message to Moody, who has since latched on with the Chicago Bears, which is one of Pineiro’s former teams.
“I’m just tired of everybody talking about Jake Moody,” Pineiro admitted on Wednesday. “I talked to him the other day, and he’s a great kicker. I messaged him the other day, and he’s gonna do well in this league. He just had a bad stint here. Sometimes you just need a fresh start, and he’s got my support. He’s gonna do well.”
49ers Looking to Continue Winning Ways in Week 6
Pineiro’s strong performance has just been one thing that has gone the 49ers’ way amid their siege of injuries. Even without a handful of key players, such as Brock Purdy, George Kittle, Jauan Jennings, and Ricky Pearsall, San Fran’s rag-tag offense managed to score enough points to prevail against the Rams. And even with these injury questions lingering, it seems unwise to bet against them moving forward.
The issue for the Niners is that they have another tough matchup on their slate in Week 6, as they will be taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are also 4-1 through five games. The Bucs have endured similar injury woes as the Niners, but they are in a better spot heading into this game. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, and San Fran will look to continue to defy the odds by picking up their fifth win of the year.
Bo Nix: 'In the NFL, Every Mistake Could Be Fatal – I Never Underestimate Any Opponent!'
As the Denver Broncos prepare for their upcoming matchup against the New York Jets, quarterback Bo Nix is reinforcing a key lesson that every NFL player must internalize:
"When I step onto the field, I know that every team has players capable of changing the game," Nix said. "If you don’t respect your opponent and prepare thoroughly, you’ll find yourself making mistakes that could lead to failure. The NFL is unforgiving — one wrong move can turn the tide of an entire game."
This mindset exemplifies what it takes to succeed in the NFL, where talent is abundant and the margin for error is razor-thin. While some may consider teams with losing records to be "easy wins," Nix refuses to fall into that trap. He emphasizes that every team in the league has playmakers capable of creating game-changing moments, regardless of their record or status.
His perspective comes at a crucial time for the Broncos, who are riding high on a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. With the Jets next on their schedule, Nix understands that momentum can quickly shift if the team lets its guard down.
"I don't take anything for granted," Nix continued. "I know how quickly things can go wrong if we don’t prepare the right way. No matter who we face, I treat every game as if it’s the most important one. That's how we ensure we never let our guard down."
Nix’s mentality as a leader is a reflection of his growth as a quarterback. It’s this unwavering focus on preparation and respect for every opponent that has allowed him to become a steady force for the Broncos. By instilling this attitude in his teammates, he fosters a culture of consistency and determination, ensuring the team remains focused no matter the challenge.
As the Broncos continue to chase their playoff dreams, Nix’s emphasis on preparation and mental toughness will play a pivotal role. His leadership extends beyond just his ability to make plays on the field — it’s his mentality that sets the tone for his team.
In the NFL, where anything can happen in a split second, Bo Nix’s philosophy could very well be the difference-maker for the Broncos as they strive for greatness.
