Mid-Season MVP Race

1. Dak Prescott, QB New England

Of course the loss last night to the Bills stung and hurt his chances but he was ahead in this race by a long ways and you can’t discount what he had done in his other sims. He wasn’t even bad last night, not turning it over and still putting up a couple hundred yards. He’s leading the NFL in passing yards at this point in the season, managing the games well and picking up some with his feet. Last night he wasn’t the reason the Patriots lost, they lost to the Bills because they couldn’t run the ball or stop the run. Prescott is still in the lead through 8 weeks, but his gap has shrunk to virtually zero.

2. Lamar Jackson, QB New York

Jackson is hurt not by how he played last night, which was pretty well in a loss, with 2 TD 0 picks and a couple fumbles. He had an explosive run and made some big plays in the pass game when he was out there. This issue was he wasn’t out there much because his defense absolutely could not stop the Bears. Jackson is hurt more by the fact he didn’t play in a week 2 win over the Dolphins. He’s the MVP in the Madden Award center, leads the NFL in QBR, has won 3 player of the week awards, and has now run for 550 yards with 18TD and only 4 INT. The loss hurts, like they all do but he played well and helped his chances.

3. Todd Gurley, RB Buffalo

Has anyone been better lately in the league than Gurley? The quick answer is no. He’s been dominating games on the ground for the Bills. They had to have a ground attack to help when Rodgers went down, which doesn’t look like it’s hurt the Bills at all to this point, by the way, and he’s stepped up. He leads the 3GML in rushing, has run with power and decisiveness, and has slowly and surely gotten better each week. Gurley is making the case for his second 3GML MVP award.

4. Shaq Thompson, LB/S/DE Miami

There hasn’t been a more important player to the Dolphins and their scrappy 6-2 start than Thompson. He’s been everywhere for them defensively and his playmaking ability has kept them in games that they’ve been tight in. He’s forced turnovers, created sacks, chased backs and covered in the slot. There aren’t many guys in the league who can do what Thompson’s done through half a season.

5. Marshon Lattimore, CB New England

He’s been spectacular this season for the Pats. Three interceptions including 2 in the Red Zone this week created an expected 6.77 points for the Patriots, according to football Outsiders. He’s a star on the outside and right now is the defensive player of the year in the league. He needed to help slow down Brandin Cooks and Cooks was quiet throughout the entire game for the Patriots.

6. Tyreek Hill, WR New York

Hill has been ridiculous and is on pace for a 2000 yard season. He had close to another 100 yard game against the Bears and made a huge catch to set up a scoring drive. While he hasn’t been asked to return punts yet, if he keeps up even close to his pace throughout the rest of the season, it could be a historic year for the Jets wideout, as he could set records in both TD’s and yards in a season. 

7. Myles Garrett, DE Buffalo

Garrett’s impact is enormous for this team. He was quiet against the Patriots in the sim but it was the first game all year that Garrett didn’t dominate from the outset. He is so much better against the run than people give him credit for and he helped set the edge in holding the Patriots to -1 rushing yards in an entire game. He’s a huge part of the Bills success this year and he looks to be on the path to another stellar campaign.

To be honest there really aren’t any other players who are close to grabbing this award at this time. These are the 7 guys with the best shot to make it. At the Midway point the odds go like this. Per the MGM Grand Sports Book:

Prescott: 4:1

Jackson: 5:1

Gurley: 11:2

Thompson: 12:1

Lattimore: 12:1

Hill: 12:1

Garrett: 15:1

2018 Season: Week #8

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 7 @ BUFFALO BILLS 28 (MNF)

BUFFALO (NY) -- On a night when backup quarterback Josh McCown threw four interceptions, the Buffalo Bills (7-1, 1-0 AFC East) defense dominated the New England Patriots (7-1, 1-1) 28-7 to take over first place in the AFC. 

McCown rebounded with a trio of TD passes while HB Todd Gurley was steady with 105 rushing yards and a TD of his own.

"It's back to where it should be," Gurley said. "We don't plan on giving up this top spot again."

The Patriots looked out of sorts all night.

For a team that looked like world-beaters through seven weeks, this squad resembled a bumbling circus more than a Super Bowl contender.

The Pats finished with negative rushing yards and, despite winning the turnover battle by four, could muster only a garbage time TD to avoid a shutout.

Wideout Jermaine Kearse almost scored a safety for the Bills by inexplicably running a route the wrong way before correcting his mistake for an 11-yard loss.

"I just don't know man," Kearse said. "This is a wakeup call for sure."

New England will have no time to reset as they now face a strong Green Bay squad at home.

The Bills also take on an NFC North foe as they remain home to take on the Chicago Bears. 

NEW  YORK JETS 21 @ CHICAGO BEARS 23

CHICAGO (IL) -- On a night when the New York Jets (7-1) could have put themselves in sole possession of first place in the AFC, the team laid an egg at Chicago with an embarrassing 23-21 road loss.

The vaunted Jets defensive line was non-existent and All Pro Aaron Donald will have to endure yet another week of Albert Haynesworth comparisons for not producing at the $20 million level that his contract suggests.

"It's a long season," Donald said. "Nobody was complaining when we (were) undefeated, now we are trash? Come on."

Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen ran through the New York defense throughout while Mitchell Trubisky did just enough to keep his team on top.

"We had a tough go with our first two AFC East games," Trubisky said. "But it's nice to take out the so called 'Super Team.'"

To make matters worse: The Jets also lost HB David Johnson for the second consecutive year to a season-ending injury.

"I'm devastated," Johnson said. "I can't even talk to be honest."

The Jets will now head to Miami to try to recapture their early season magic against the Dolphins.

MIAMI DOLPHINS 33 @ HOUSTON TEXANS 16

HOUSTON (TX) -- With trade rumors swirling around their starting quarterback, the Miami Dolphins (6-2) held it together with a strong ground attack to stifle the Houston Texans 33-16 on the road. 

D'Onta Foreman and Kalen Ballage each rushed for over 100 yards, with Foreman closing with a career high 183 yards rushing.

"It was a strong day for our O-line," Foreman said. "I'm not trying to be negative here, but we only want guys who want to be here. We are a running team, if a change is made under center, whoever they bring in is going to understand we are a ground-and-pound team first."

Rookie defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick had another strong game with 13 tackles to boost his Defensive Rookie of the Year candidacy. 

The Dolphins will head home to take on the New York Jets next week in a crucial AFC East matchup.

New York Jets Trade QB Derek Carr to Miami Dolphins

MIAMI (FL) -- Rumors had been swirling that quarterback Derek Carr's time in New York was coming to an end. Many believed he'd be shipped across town to wear the blue and red for the Giants, but no one saw the 27-year old heading to South Beach.
Carr, who had been benched in favor of rookie Lamar Jackson, fetched the Jets a 2019 1st rounder, a 2021 2nd round pick (the Jets own), and a backup plan of Ryan Tannehill for the remainder of this season.
"I'm shocked," Carr said. "But I can't tell you I'm not excited. I want to give my all to the Dolphins franchise to show them their belief in me was warranted."
Early in his career, with the Oakland Raiders, Carr looked like a league MVP candidate. But after an injury-ravaged 2017 with his new team (the New York Jets) winning the Lombardi Trophy despite his lack of availability, Carr was on borrowed time.
"This is an impressive haul for New York and completely clears up their 2019 cap issues," one NFC Executive said. "This is a home-run for the Jets and an Incomplete for Miami who has too many holes to be giving up a 1st rounder in my opinion. If Carr gets back to 2015 form, it's a win, if not, it could set this team back a decade."
This trade will definitely be talked about for years to come and a true 'winner' of the deal will be determined looking down the line.
However, when the Jets head to Miami to take on Derek Carr and the Miami Dolphins next week, we will get our first bit of data as to who got better end of the deal in the short term.
"I plan on playing next week, absolutely," Carr said. "I will be ready. I will be out there. And our fans will catch a glimpse of what's in store for our franchise moving forward."

12 Players Who Will Determine a Champion

Now that we are almost halfway through the 2018 season, the 4th in 3GML history, there are some important players who will likely determine the rest of the season and some that have already had a gigantic impact. Here are the dozen players who will play the biggest role in the remainder of the year and will determine the 3GML universe.

1. Dak Prescott, QB New England

So far Prescott has been the hands down MVP of the league. He has two very solid simulated games, throws for a ton of yards and has helped with his feet as well. He was mediocre last year but skyrocketed up to the top of the charts for an undefeated team. If Prescott can continue to play at an All-League or MVP level the Patriots have a chance to hoist the Lombardi and make it 4 teams in 4 years from the AFC East.

2. Josh McCown, QB Buffalo

He’s not Aaron Rodgers, but with A-rod missing a few weeks McCown needs to be solid and not turn the football over during the next 3 simulated games. Through 2 weeks there has been no let down with McCown at the helm but the next 3 games could very well determine the season for the Bills in the tightly contested division. If McCown plays well enough to win at least 1, and especially if he plays well enough to win 2 or 3 the Bills will likely make the playoffs and they have as good of a chance as anyone of winning a championship if they get in.

3. Aaron Donald, DT New York

Maybe this should be Lamar Jackson who is on fire with 3 player of the week awards for an undefeated team, but Make no mistake, this team runs through the defense and the league leading scoring defense is on pace to break the NFL record for points allowed. The only way that’s possible though is if Aaron Donald begins to play like the superstar he is. Constantly double teamed and occasionally dropping into coverage means Donald’s production is way down. If he doesn’t produce like a superstar in the sims, the Jets, who are riding a 79 ranked rookie toward the promised land, won’t be winning the division let alone repeating as Champs.

4. Adam Gase, Coach Miami

So far though the sims, Gase hasn’t had the best game plans going in and despite valiant efforts from the team they have fallen short in two simulated games. They were too pass happy in a handful of cpu games and the throwing around of the football and slow starts may have cost them both sims. Not to mention the fake field goal that had no shot. If Gase can get back to Dolphins football there is a chance this team sneaks into the playoffs and knocks a top dog from the perch.

5. Marshon Lattimore, CB New England

This might come as a bit of a surprise that he’s this high but hear me out. Lattimore is a top 10 corner in the league and while there are maybe better defenders on his team he’s the most important. Right now there’s a huge case to be made that Tyreek Hill is the most dangerous madden player on the planet. Brandin Cooks has been dynamic for the Bills. Devante Parker has done nothing to stop being a top 10 fantasy wide receiver this season and Lattimore will have to try to slow them all down. While we are enamored with stopping the run, these madden teams run through their stud receivers. If Lattimore can hold them down, the Patriots will win the AFC East and likely the Super Bowl.

6. Lamar Jackson, QB New York

We’ve touched on him already but he hasn’t played in a simulated game yet. If he can play anything close to what he’s played like through his 5 normal starts the Jets will be ecstatic. The issues here in simulated games are his accuracy and turnovers. He’s a big play waiting to happen every time he touches it, but he has to learn to take the checkdown. If he does that in the sims, the Jets will dominate the division. If he tries to be a homerun hitter every time he touches the ball, the turnovers and losses could add up to an early exit.

7. Casey Heyward, CB Buffalo

As much as Lattimore needs to play well, so does Heyward, whose start to this season was an abject disaster. He’s improved over the past couple games but he goes into a matchup with Julio Jones this week and it’s a gigantic game. If he can even slow down Jones and Hill the Bills could at worst split those matchups before Rodgers returns. If he can’t and they have 3 losses by then, that might be too much to overcome even with a superstar coming back to the helm.

8. Mike Gesicki, TE Miami

I don’t actually think Tannehill is that important to the Dolphins but I do think getting production out of their offense can happen given the right circumstances. Tannehill has been fine at QB for them this season. He has two player of the week awards and his numbers are very solid. That said though one of the things this team needs is balance offensively and they get that through running and play action which is where the potential all league tight end Gesicki comes in. If he can continue to play well in the pass game, and make big strides as a run blocker, where so far in the games watched he’s been better than advertised, this team could make some noise.

9. Tavon Austin, RB/KR/WR Buffalo

He’s been great for them so far and he was awesome in a sim, but moving forward he’ll continue to have to carry a big load. Gurley has played well but now the team needs its ancillary players to make plays while Rodgers sits out. If he can keep making people miss and taking 5 yard gains and turning them into 20 the Bills could continue to put up points, and do what they do better than any team over the past 3.5 seasons, control the clock on offense.

10. Shaq Thompson, LB/DE Miami

Thompson has been all over the place for the Dolphins this year and with the absence of Jones in the back half of this defense Thompson has had to pick up the slack. The Dolphins need playmakers on a team that doesn’t have the same talent the other trio in the division has. If Thompson can keep playing sideline to sideline and making plays in the run and pass games then those splash plays could steal a few simulated wins. If he can’t get that done, there’s a shot that the Dolphins miss the playoffs for the first time in team history.

11. Andrew Norwell, G New England

While this division does post a bevy of ridiculous pass rushers on the edge in Garrett, Quinn, Bosa, Wake, Thompson among a half dozen others, its the interior domination of Donald and Atkins that is the scary thing. If the Patriots want to win the division and the championship they have to control the interior and doing so against two of the best interior disruptors has to be priority one. If Norwell and company can contain those guys it gives this team an excellent opportunity. Right now they have the best record at 7-0 with 2 simulated wins and a head to head victory over the Dolphins, they have the MVP, and they are relatively healthy. If Norwell can start their push by beating up on Atkins this week the Patriots will get a plaque.

12. David Johnson, RB New York

Hill has been the most dynamic offensive skill player in the league so far with 13 touchdowns through 7 games, but the most important moving forward will be 2017 MVP David Johnson. The jets have ran all over the place so far this season splitting carries with 4 players other than Johnson but to win, they want to ride DJ to a league title. If he can be the player he was before his injury last season the Jets can have a trio that can rival any in the league with Gronk, Hill, and Johnson. If he’s only mediocre and the team becomes one dimensional offensively, Lamar Jackson will have to play excellent football for 7 more simulated games as a rookie. It’s a tall order for any player, let alone one with 5 career starts.

Others receiving votes:

Jake Matthews, Ryan Tannehill, Tyreek Hill, Damon Harrison, Julio Jones, Hunter Henry, Minkah Fitzpatrick

2018 Season: Week #7 Power Rankings

As we head into Week #8, the 3GML staff writers want to handicap the field and review each team's progress thus far as we head into a slew of critical AFC East matchups.

#1: New England Patriots (7-0, 1-0 AFC East) NEXT: @ Buffalo
The conventional money is on the defending champions from New York, but Dak Prescott has looked every bit an MVP candidate and the Patriots' secondary has played lights out to give the team our top spot.
In a division where four out of the NFL's top five offenses live, the Pats own the #3 ranked offense and top passing attack.
But, despite all their offensive success, the New England secondary has truly shined.
With their own version of a 'No Fly Zone,' CBs Rashaan Melvin, Ronald Darby, and Marshon Lattimore each have three interceptions on the season. Opposing QBs have struggled to find many openings against the Patriots, often relying on dunk and dunk attacks.
Can Josh McCown and the Buffalo Bills surprise the Pats on Monday Night Football?

#2: New York Jets (7-0, 1-0 AFC East) NEXT: @ Chicago
Perhaps this ranking will offend Jets faithful, but rankings are often subjective, so this can easily change next week. Lamar Jackson has been the league's newest and brightest star with his electric runs and pinpoint passing accuracy. The rookie passer has completed 79% of his passes for an astounding 144.3 QBR to go along with 16 TDs and only 4 INT. The Louisville product also had 504 rushing yards and six TD runs to his ledger.
If Jackson can show up in the team's AFC East showdowns (he was held out of the Miami game in Week #2), Jackson can upend Dak in the MVP race.
Will the Jets reclaim the top spot with a win over the Chicago Bears this weekend?

#3: Buffalo Bills (6-1, 0-0 AFC East) NEXT: vs New England
An early season blemish against the Los Angeles Chargers and the loss of Aaron Rodgers have hung over this team like a dark cloud most of the season. However, with a victory over the unbeaten New England Patriots Monday, the Bills will shoot up these rankings.
Todd Gurley quietly leads the AFC East with 555 yards rushing and will continue to get a bulk of the work while Rodgers works to return.
The sensational Myles Garrett is tied for the division lead with 7.5 sacks. But that number does not truly tell the story of his dominance. Garrett has been unblockable throughout the season, causing many QBs to panic throughout games against the Bills.
Is it time for Buffalo to jump back into the AFC East championship race by upending the Pats on MNF?

#4: Miami Dolphins (5-2, 0-2 AFC East) NEXT: @ Houston
Everyone's pick for the cellar remains in our bottom spot for Week #7, but not for the team's lack of effort. Losses to the Patriots and Jets earlier in the season (on the road no less) are to be expected. The team has done enough to stay in games and to keep their playoff hopes alive in the loaded AFC East.
The Dolphins lead the NFL in turnover differential (+6) and sacks (30).
The team also is 31st against the pass and has struggled to find a consistent running game which has traditionally been a hallmark of the good Dolphins teams we've come to adore.
Can the Dolphins survive a road test at Houston to keep their slim playoff hopes alive?

2018 Season: Week #5

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 3 @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 31 (TNF)

FOXBORO (MA) -- The undefeated New England Patriots (5-0, 1-0 AFC East) continued their march toward the postseason with a 31-3 romp over the hapless Indianapolis Colts Thursday Night in Foxboro. 

QB Dak Prescott continued his torrid start to the season going 23-25, for 308 passing yards, with 3TD and an INT. 

"One week at a time," Prescott said. "We missed postseason last year, so we're not taking (anything) for granted."

A week after his strong performance against the Dolphins, Alex Collins seemed strong throughout until coughing up a late fumble.

"We can't have that," Bill Belichick said. "Look for a change there."

Indy was banged up in the secondary, and All-World wideout Julio Jones exposed the unit with 187 receiving yards to go along with 3TD.

The Patriots will now take on the Kansas City Chiefs from the AFC West. 

TENNESSEE TITANS 13 @ BUFFALO BILLS 37

BUFFALO (NY) -- Aaron Rodgers was on fire early, starting the game 11-14, for 218 yards and 2TD en route to his team's 37-13 triumph over the Tennessee Titans. But, early in the 3rd quarter, the walls came crashing down as rookie Rashaan Evans hit Rodgers low on a deep throw.

The Bills (4-1, 0-0) leader was carted off the field with torn knee cartilage, putting his season in doubt.

"I am confident I can come back from this," Rodgers said. "They better not consider IR. I'll be back, you watch."

The rest of the game must have seemed like a bad dream for the Bills Mafia, despite the final scoreline, with Josh McCown handing the ball off to Toddy Gurley (who had his best game of the season).

"It's rough," Sean McDermott said. "But we're battle tested. I'm confident our guys will take our frustrations out on the Texans next week."

There will be more on the Aaron Rodgers injury soon. 

DENVER BRONCOS 13 @ NEW YORK JETS 56

EAST RUTHERFORD (NJ) -- Call Skip Bayless. Text Stephen A. Smith. Tweet (or @ Someone) the following: Lamar Jackson is for real.

Jackson led his Jets (5-0, 1-0) to a runaway 56-13 romp over the hapless Denver Broncos Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

For the day, Jackson finished with 318 yards passing to go along with 2TD passes and an INT. Jackson also rushed for 44 yards.

"I'm hot," Jackson said. "Not in a cocky way, but it's rolling time - Gotta stay at it."

Defensive leader Kevin Byard turned around a Case Keenum pass 93 yards for a pick six to go along with the team's five sacks.

WR Tyreek Hill also scored a pair of TDs to run his season total to six.

New York will now take on a reeling Colts team back home at MetLife Stadium. 

MIAMI DOLPHINS 54 @ TENNESSEE TITANS 9

CINCINATTI (OH) -- A week after dropping a heartbreaker to the Patriots, the Miami Dolphins (3-2, 0-2) righted their ship for the time being with an emphatic 54-9 road win over the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Ryan Tannehill, who was named the AFC's Offensive Player of the Week after the game, finished 13-21, with 305 passing yards, and 4TD (no INT). 

Second year HB D'Onta Foreman, who was recently acquired from the New York Jets, was on fire with 154 rushing yards and a pair of TDs.

But, despite the team's fantasy-like output on offense, defense ruled the day for Miami.

The team's emotional leader, Reggie Ragland, finished with nine tackles, four sacks, and a safety on the day.

"I feel like we're back playing the Miami way," Ragland said. "We've dug ourselves a hole in the division. Gotta keep digging."

Like Tannehill, Ragland was named the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week as well.

Miami will now head back home to take on the Chicago Bears to try to keep pace in their loaded division.