2020 Season - Week #7

 SAN FRANCISCO 49ers @ New England Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, MA - San Francisco's win streak hit six games as the 49ers (6-1) held on late against Deshaun Watson and the New England Patriots (4-2).  The game between the one-loss teams lived up to the hype, but it was the 49ers who added to the W column with a 34-31 win.

In a back and forth game, it came down to the 4th quarter after things were tied 20-20 through three quarters of play.  This is when Teddy Bridgewater decided to cement himself as 3GML MVP frontrunner, leading the offense on two impressive drives for touchdowns.  They proved to be the deciding factor in the game after a last gasp comeback bid by the Patriots came up short.  "Man, I let out a big exhale there when the clock hit zero.  That was a tough game against a tough opponent.  We knew they were never out of it until time ran out."  Bridgewater said.

The Niners quarterback was electric accounting for all four of his team's touchdowns.  Bridgewater's final stat line? 20 of 26 for 219 yards passing with two TDs thrown AND nine rushes for 68 yards with two more rushing touchdowns.  Right now, the man is doing it all and things are looking up for the team from the Bay.

The road doesn't get any easier, though, as San Francisco heads to the Pacific Northwest to take on their division rival, the Seattle Seahawks.

GREEN BAY PACKERS @ HOUSTON TEXANS

HOUSTON - In a game between two teams in two very different spots, the win now Green Bay Packers (4-2) took out the rebuilding Houston Texans (2-5) 29-14 in Houston.  The game looked as though it might be close early after Houston answered an opening drive touchdown by the Packers with a Ryan Switzer touchdown of their own to knot things up a 7-7.  The gritty slot receiver is making a name for himself in Houston and is definitely the leader in the clubhouse for the coveted 3GML Orson Charles award.

However, the highlights ended there for the Texans as Green Bay marched up and down the field the rest of the afternoon punting only once.  Houston struggled to pressure quarterback Aaron Rodgers all day and he had plenty of time to find open receivers down field.  Rodgers finished the afternoon with 290 yards passing and two touchdowns.  "I honestly feel pretty good after this one.  Didn't take too many hits so I think I can skip the ice bath and head straight for the scotch tonight." Rodgers said with a grin.

Defensively the Green Bay defense held Houston to 179 total yards on offense and was very effective in keeping the Texans out of the red zone.  Safety Budda Baker continued to shine defensively and was all over the field on the afternoon finishing with 12 tackles including one for a loss.  "We're starting to gel as a unit.  I like where we are."  Baker said.

Houston will rest up on their bye next week while Green Bay has a major test as they take on rival Minnesota who they trail by one game in the division.

2020 Season - Week #6

Los Angeles Rams @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ers

SAN FRANCISCO - In what may have been the most exciting game of the year so far, the San Francisco 49ers (5-1, 1-1 NFC West) fought back to beat the visiting Los Angeles Rams (3-3, 0-1) by a score of 24-23.

The game looked like it was about to get away from San Francisco early as they found themselves down 14-0 and in danger of giving the ball back to the Rams after getting stuck in a 3rd and 10 in their own territory.  Los Angeles had a miscommunication in their secondary and next thing you know, Julio Jones was walking into the end zone for a 75-yard touchdown making in 14-7.  "I don't find myself that wide open very often.  I just wanted to make sure I didn't drop it." Jones said.

After a Rams field goal made it 17-7, the 49ers doubled up with a field goal to end the half and a touchdown to open the 3rd making it even at 17.  San Francisco looked to be in trouble as Los Angeles drove deep into their territory twice late.  However, both times, the defensive front came through and held the Rams to field goals making it 23-17.  After one final defensive stand, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater got the ball back with a chance to execute the two-minute drill and win the game.  Not only did he march the offense down the field, but he punctuated the drive himself scrambling 15 yards for the go-ahead TD.  After a Hail Mary try by Jared Goff failed, San Francisco found itself the last team standing with a division win.

"Proud of the effort today."  Bridgewater said.  "These guys never gave up and always believed we could win.  Division games always carry a little extra importance, so to get this one felt really good."

San Francisco heads to the Eastern Time Zone to take on the New England Patriots next week.

GREEN BAY PACKERS @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

TAMPA BAY - The Green Bay Packers got back on track against Tom Brady and the new look Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-16.  The Packers (3-2) looked to be off to another sluggish offensive start, not picking up a first down until mid way through the 2nd quarter.  However, things picked up when Rodgers found Stefon Diggs for a TD right before the half.

Green Bay came out of the locker room after the half and looked like a different team.  Aaron Rodgers picked apart the Tampa Bay (3-3) defense the rest of the day, spreading the ball around to his multiple weapons. JuJu Smith-Schuster had multiple 3rd down catches as well as a touchdown on the day.  "Man, that felt good.  We went back to our roots of throwing the ball a bit more," Smith-Schuster said after the game.

The Pack will stay on the road next week when they take on the Houston Texans in what will be the first matchup of former AFC East GMs SD and TH since they left their respective teams this offseason.

HOUSTON TEXANS @ Tennessee Titans

TENNESSEE - The Andy Dalton era started with a bang in Houston as the Texans (2-4, 1-1 AFC South) beat the Tennessee Titans 36-27.  The Titans (1-5, 0-2) rushed out to a 21-3 lead early in the second quarter and things looked bleak.  That's when Jaleel Johnson and the Texans D buckled down and gave their offense a change.  Johnson was all over the place on the afternoon and his energy was contagious.

Once the Houston D slowed Derrick Henry and the Titans offense, Dalton settled down and moved the Texans down the field, battling back to a 21-16 half time deficit.  In the second half, Raheem Mostert broke out and it was Tennessee who were on their heels.  Mostert who rushed for 158 yards and a TD, gave the Texans the lead late in the third and they never looked back.  "Had a good game.  Got to give the O line credit.  They busted their butts today."  Mostert said.

Tennessee tried to threaten later but a Zach Cunningham pick six put an end to that and the game was essentially over.

As for the new QB, Dalton did just enough throwing for 220 yards and TD (although he had 200 more passing yards and 3 TDs called back on penalties in the game).  "Felt good man.  We switched up the game plan when I took over and I felt like it went pretty well." Dalton said.

Houston takes on the Packers next week in what will likely be a good one.

Breaking News: Houston Texans Trade Cam Newton to Washington Football Team

 HOUSTON - In an absolute shocker, the Houston Texans traded starting quarterback Cam Newton to the Washington Football Team for a 2nd and 4th round pick.  The Texans also sent a 6th rounder to Washington.  Houston is sitting at 1-4 in their first year of a roster overhaul and likely read the writing on the wall regarding the team's outlook this season.

GM TH said in his press conference, "We want to thank Cam for coming in and being the leader he was for our young guys.  He will be missed in the locker room and Washington is getting a hell of a football player.  However, we have a long term goal of winning titles here and I had to balance the future of this ball club against our odds for the rest of this season."

For what it's worth, this is the second time GM TH has traded the star quarterback away.  Back in 2015, while GM of the New York Jets, TH traded Newton for a slew of picks after the quarterback struggled with fumble issues.  Newton couldn't be reached for comment but posted the emoji eyes on his instagram account.

His agent James "Bus" Cook, however, didn't hold back regarding his client being dealt mid-season. "Obviously, this GM thinks my client is just a commodity that can be signed and dealt for draft picks.  We came here despite what happened in New York and Cam proved he belonged.  If he [TH] wants to operate this way, maybe he should go into the stock market business."

Houston wasn't done dealing either.  The Texans also sent Bradley McDougald and DJ Fluker to the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers respectively for draft capital.

Now the focus turns to what Houston can do the rest of this season.  While 1-4 isn't great, the Texans are still only two games back in the division.  Andy Dalton will be the starter the rest of the way.

2020 Season - Week #5

 Miami Dolphins @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ers

SAN FRANCISCO - The Miami Dolphins (0-5) never got off the bus mentally in a 37-10 drubbing by the San Francisco 49ers (4-1).  The Dolphins were down for the count before the 1st quarter even ended with interceptions by Ryan Fitzpatrick on their first three possessions including a pick six by 49ers cornerback Marshon Lattimore.  "Like the roll this defense is on.  Everyone is stepping up.  Don't sleep on us."  Lattimore said.

The interceptions gave San Francisco a short field to work with and their rushing attack did the rest.  Phillip Lindsay was a welcome sight for this offense after a foot injury sidelined him for the past three weeks.  Lindsay rushed for 71 yards and a TD. "Glad to be back.  Alvin [Kamara] was a workhorse these past few weeks and this team appreciated that, but it's a long season and we need to two-headed attack." He said after the game.

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was everything his team needed as well.  Due to the large early lead, San Francisco only threw the ball 20 times in the game, but that didn't mean Bridgewater wasn't a big part of the offense.  In fact he was their leading rusher, running 12 times for 113 yards and a TD.  "My legs were needed more than my arm today.  Doesn't matter to me as long as we get the W." Bridgewater said.

San Francisco's red hot start will be tested the next seven games as they enter one of the toughest stretches in any NFL schedule with games against the Rams, Patriots, Seahawks, Packers, Saints, Rams, and Bills.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ HOUSTON TEXANS

HOUSTON - The Houston Texans (1-4, 0-1 AFC South) dropped a heart-breaker 22-14 to the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2, 2-1) Sunday.  Pundits weren't sure what to expect from this team after their expansion draft, but it looks like they may be a year or two away from being able to compete.

GM TH said after the game, "It's disappointing, but not unexpected.  I love the fire our team is playing with every week.  These guys compete, but we definitely have some holes on our roster.  You combine that with some of the injuries we've had and we know this team has a ways to go before we're ready to win division titles."

When asked about balancing this year versus long term success the GM said, "Great question.  My job is to set this football team up for success so if that means picking up the phone and trying to improve our future, I'm going to do that."

An unnamed official familiar with the Texans front office said, "Yeah, it's a fire sale now.  Anything not tied down is for sale."

Houston fans will have to decide if they are rooting for Ws or draft order next week when the Texans take on the Tennessee Titans.

2020 Season - Week #4

 Philadelphia Eagles @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ers

SAN FRANCISCO - Defense was the name of the game Sunday by the bay as the San Francisco 49ers (3-1) defeated the Philadelphia Eagles (1-3) by a score of 10-6.  Both teams struggled to move the ball all day but it was San Francisco with the lone touchdown (a rush by quarterback Teddy Bridgewater) that proved to be the difference.

Safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson stepped up huge when his team needed him and finished with six tackles (one for a loss), a sack, and an interception off quarterback Carson Wentz.  "This is who we are.  This our identity.  Defense.  We keep us in games.  Expect more of this for sure."  Gardner-Johnson said.

To his point, during San Francisco's current three game winning streak, the defense has held their opponents to seven points or less in each game.  Philadelphia threatened a few times in this one, but each time the 49ers defense kept its opponent out of the end zone.

San Francisco will look to keep rolling next week as they take on the Miami Dolphins at home.

Minnesota Vikings @ HOUSTON TEXANS

HOUSTON - The Houston Texans dropped a tough one to the Minnesota Vikings (4-0) Sunday 23-7.  Houston (1-3) struggled on offense all day and ended the game with no touchdowns or field goals.  Their lone score came on a strip sack by Bobby McCain that was returned by Cre'Von LeBlanc for a touchdown.

Coach David Shaw said after the game, "We have to be better on offense.  I was not happy with what I saw out there."

When asked about quarterback Cam Newton's performance (16-27 for 161 yards and three fumbles) and what it meant for next week, Shaw replied, "Next question."

In fact, Texans beat reporters have already heard rumblings that a change at quarterback could be on the horizon.  It was unclear if that meant next week or if Newton would be given another shot.

Regardless, with reliable veteran Andy Dalton in the quarterbacks room, there is bound to be chatter all week as the Texans get ready to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Atlanta Falcons @ GREEN BAY PACKERS

GREEN BAY - The Green Bay Packer offense once again struggled in a 20-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons (2-2) on Monday Night Football.  The Packers (2-2) only amassed 233 total yards on offense as they struggled to get things going all night.

Play calling seemed questionable at best as the offense never found its rhythm.  "I tried to be more balanced these past two weeks and it obviously hasn't worked out great.  We have the greatest quarterback in the league and you can expect to see more from his right arm moving forward." Eric Beiniemy said in his presser.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire continues to be a bright spot for the Packers with his grit and determination to fight for extra yards.  In fact, there were many times he moved the chains by making men miss and falling forward.  "Just trying to do whatever I can to help this team win games.  I feel like we're about to break out." He said.

Green Bay heads into its bye next week and will try to regroup after their tough loss.