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.
