2020 Season - Week #11

 New England Patriots @ HOUSTON TEXANS

HOUSTON - The skid continued for the Houston Texans as they lost their 4th game in a row, falling to the New England Patriots 38-14.  The Texans (2-8) had no answer for Deshaun Watson and the Patriots (6-4) all afternoon.  New England marched up and down the field in the first half and scored touchdowns on their first five possessions putting the game out of reach before half time. 

"Man, I just felt this extra motivation today, like Houston wronged me in some way I can't put into words.  Not sure what it is, but I'm just happy with my performance today." Watson said after the game.

For Houston, expect a shuffling with defensive play calling duties.  Early indications are pointing to head coach David Shaw getting more involved with his defense and he could commandeer the responsibility.  Something needs to change for Houston as they have only two turnovers to their name the entire season and are on pace to break the dubious record for fewest in a season.

Looking to the future, the Texans are sitting in the third spot for next year's NFL Draft.  If this holds they are likely out of the running for Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields, making their decision a little more interesting for their fan base.

Houston has a short week as they take on the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Thanksgiving day.

GREEN BAY PACKERS @ Indianapolis Colts

INDIANAPOLIS - The Green Bay Packers beat the Indianapolis Colts 41-25 Sunday afternoon in a game that was closer than the final score indicates.  The Packers (6-3-1) clearly looked like the better team but an early pick six and a couple of timely sacks by the Colts (6-4) kept the score close until the 4th quarter.

The Packers have had two giant question marks in their season up to this point; red zone offense and getting defensive stops.  Today they answered both.  Aaron Rodgers was electric and clearly more aggressive than he's been most of the season, throwing for for 351 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception.  He threw the passes his team needed and it resulted in points.

Defensively, the Packers looked like a completely different team, forcing five turnovers by Philip Rivers (4 interceptions and a fumble lost).  Josey Jewell, who had two of the interceptions said after the game, "Coach made some shifts and ultimately it paid off.  I got my butt chewed after last week and knew I needed to play better.  Glad I could help my team."

Green Bay is currently the 6 seed in the NFC and will look to improve their position Sunday night as they host the Chicago Bears.

2020 Season - Week #10

 HOUSTON TEXANS @ Cleveland Browns

CLEVELAND - The skid continued for the Houston Texans as they were blown out on the road by the Cleveland Browns 43-10.  The Browns (4-5) kept their playoff hopes alive as they dominated every aspect of the game putting up 448 yards of total offense.

Houston (2-7) continued to look like a team in full rebuild mode.  Quarterback Andy Dalton's return to the lineup did not go as planned.  Dalton only amassed 192 yards with two interceptions on the day.  "I struggled today, no question." Dalton said, " I feel like I let the team down.  I'll look at the tape and learn."

The bright spot on the day for the Texans?  Le'Veon Bell looked like the 2017 version of himself, rushing 16 times for 108 yards and a touchdown along with five catches for 36 yards.  "I know we have a long ways to go but I trust this organization.  I'm here for the long haul.  GM TH brought me in to be a cornerstone.  I plan to see this through." Bell said after the game.

Fans have to be happy at this point Houston kept their top-five draft hopes alive.  Things don't get any easier either with the New England Patriots coming to town next week.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ GREEN BAY PACKERS

GREEN BAY - The Green Bay Packers played in their third straight overtime game this week and now have one of each possible outcome to show for it with a 33-27 win over the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars.  After a loss two weeks ago to Minnesota and a tie last week to San Francisco, the Packers (5-3-1) finally got the result they were looking for this time around in OT.

Things look bleak early as Jacksonville (5-4) rushed out to a 14-0 lead through one quarter.  The Green Bay defense struggled to get off the field and it seemed as though it was going to be a long afternoon.  However, after strip sack of quarterback Gardner Minshew, the Pack were right back in it as they got on the board with a field goal.

Jacksonville stalled for a majority of the second quarter and Green Bay climbed back into the game, heading to half time down 17-10.  That's when the fireworks started and NFL fans were treated to the game of the day.  The Packers made it down the field midway through the third quarter and were presented with a 3rd and goal to go opportunity.  Red zone offense has been an Achilles heel for the home team and it looked like the O would stall again.  Aaron Rodgers had other plans as he called his own number on a read option.  The Jaguars looked ready, but Rodgers viciously stiff-armed rookie corner Daniel Thomas to the ground and walked into the end zone tying the game at 17.  "Wasn't going to be denied on that one." Rodgers said.

Garnder Minshew answered on the next drive, picking apart the Green Bay defense like he did all day.  Before the Packers could blink, the Jaguars had retaken the lead 24-17 on Lamar Miller touchdown run.  A pair of field goals by both teams in the 4th quarter had the score at 27-20 Jacksonville with less than two minutes to go.  The game looked like it might be swinging back in Green Bay's favor after two huge catches by Justin Jefferson put the Pack within striking distance.  However, a poor decision by Rodgers to hold onto the ball too long gave Jacksonville an easy sack setting up a 4th and 24 with almost no time left.

This is when things got bonkers and Aaron Rodgers connected with Stefon Diggs for not only the first down, but a 47 yard touchdown, tying the game at 27.  Lambeau Field lost it and things headed to overtime.  "That's a little play we call PA Crossers.  We haven't run it in a couple of years, but the defense gave me the look and I just needed enough time for Stefon to clear the safety.  Luckily the time was there and the rest is history." Rodgers said.

You may have thought that things couldn't have gotten any crazier.  However, you'd be wrong as every news outlet in the country will be talking about what came next.  Jacksonville won the coin toss in overtime and Coach Doug Marrone seemingly forgetting how overtime in the NFL works, deferred to Green Bay who happily elected to receive. 

Green Bay didn't reward Marrone's Lambeau leap of faith though, as they marched down the field and scored on a Damien Williams rush from the one yard line winning the game.  The Packers rushed the field and the Jaguars coach looked genuinely confused on the sideline.   "I liked our chances on defense.  I thought we could get them in 2nd overtime if they scored." Marrone said after the game.  When explained the rules of overtime by a reporter, Marrone walked out of the interview and could be heard yelling obscenities down the hallway.

"I was genuinely shocked at the coin toss. " Defensive tackle Geno Atkins said, "Like, I thought they were joking or the refs were going to ask them if they were sure."

The mockery came swiftly online and on television.  "Are you serious?  That has to be the stupidest decision I've ever seen.  Did he think this was college football?  Doug, you're not at Syracuse any more!  My goodness!" Stephen A. Smith said.

Green Bay was happy to be the beneficiary and will look to keep rolling next week as the take on the Colts in Indianapolis.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ers @ New Orleans Saints

NEW ORLEANS - The San Francisco 49ers will head into their bye with a bad taste in their mouth after dropping a high profile match-up against the New Orleans Saints 21-3.  The 49ers (7-2-1) came out flat on their first offensive possession, turning the ball over on a Teddy Bridgewater interception.  Things didn't get much better from there as their next three trips to Saints territory resulted in a missed field goal, the clock running out on them before half, and a turnover on downs.

Bridgewater who has played like an MVP all season said after the game, "Just didn't have it today.  I know we'll be fine.  We still control our destiny.  No need to panic."

On the bright side, the San Francisco defense kept things close until the 4th quarter with constant pressure and tight coverage.  New Orleans (7-2) struggled to move the ball up the field most of the game.  However, the dam broke late and San Francisco was left with too little time to battle back.

The 49ers will reevaluate next week on bye.

2020 Season - Week #9

 GREEN BAY PACKERS @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ers

SANTA CLARA - In a game that seemed destined for ESPN Classic, Mother Nature had other plans as the Green Bay Packers (4-3-1) and San Francisco 49ers (7-1-1) played to a 24-24 tie.  The game started like a heavy-weight prize fight and ended like a middle school debate where everyone gets a trophy.

The winds were howling all night which made kicking field goals anything but given.  In fact, many felt like they were back in Candlestick Park when they felt the gusts.  The conditions forced both teams to reevaluate their special teams game plan as was evident when San Francisco tried a fake field goal deep in Green Bay territory late in the second quarter. The play failed and allowed the Packers to drive down and score a touchdown on a nifty catch and run by Clyde Edwards-Helaire as time ran out.  Green Bay headed into the half up 17-14.

After a defensive struggle in the 3rd quarter, Green Bay put a scoring drive together to start the 4th and go up 10.  San Francisco was undeterred and answered with a touchdown of their own on a Teddy Bridgewater pass to Julio Jones.  After a three and out by the Packers, the 49ers had just enough time to attempt a field goal for the tie.  Kicker Dan Bailey had to battle the wind, but was able to knock it down.

San Francisco won the coin toss but had to punt, giving Green Bay the opportunity to win.  Aaron Rodgers who was electric on the night throwing for 396 yards, was able to get his team to the 30 yard line setting up a winning field goal attempt.  However, Coach Eric Bieniemy, likely worried by the wind, opted for a fake field goal pass and back up quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's pass hit the turf giving the Niners one more chance.  Again they stalled and ultimately Green Bay wasn't left enough time to score.  The game was over and both team left the field unsure of how to feel about the outcome.

"I thought we had a better chance with the element of surprise than we did to make the kick in that wind." Bieniemy said after the game.

Kicker Jason Sanders didn't agree, "I could have made that kick."

Both teams will have a few extra days to regroup as San Francisco heads to New Orleans and Green Bay heads home to take on Jacksonville.

HOUSTON TEXANS @ Jacksonville Jaguars

JACKSONVILLE - The banged up Houston Texans couldn't muster enough offense in a 19-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Without starting quarterback Andy Dalton, the Texans (2-6, 1-2 AFC South) were forced to turn to former first round pick Josh Rosen.  The Jaguars (5-3, 3-1) defense did just enough to keep Rosen off balance and pull out the win.

Houston has shown grit all season and has remained competitive in games even with a roster lacking talent.  "Our guys fight every day," Coach David Shaw said, "Our defense has a bend, don't break mentality and the guys up front on offense give us a shot every game.  Our record doesn't reflect who we are."

The Texans will likely be looking at a top 10 draft pick in April and with multiple quarterbacks projected to be picked in that range, the attention of the fan base will be on who their next signal-caller might be.  GM TH has a big job ahead this offseason and all eyes in the 3GML will be on what he decides to do.

In the short-term, Houston heads to Cleveland to take on the Browns.

2020 Season - Week #8

 SAN FRANCISCO 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks

SEATTLE - The San Francisco 49ers continued their impressive winning streak agains division rival Seattle Sunday with a 41-20 win.  The Niners (7-1, 2-1 NFC West) won their 7th straight after dropping their season opener and showed no signs of slowing down.  Combine their dominance with the Seahawks (3-4, 0-1) inability to keep up and things were out of reach by half time.

"Defensively, this team has to get a lot better." Coach Pete Carroll said after the game.  "We didn't have an answer for [Teddy] Bridgewater all afternoon.  He did whatever he wanted."

Bridgewater showed poise after San Francisco fell down 7-0 early, cooly driving the offense down the field drive after drive.  "Winning here is extra special.  To take one from this team in their house? Man, that's awesome."  Bridgewater said.

The two headed monster of running backs Alvin Kamara and Phillip Lindsay made waves as well.  Lindsay put the team in short yardage situations most of the game and Lindsay showed his ability to catch passes out of the backfield when a 3rd down conversion was needed.

"I really like the dynamic of those two." Coach Kyle Shanahan said, "They both bring something unique to the game plan.  It's fun to build a strategy around them."

Up next for San Francisco is a Thursday night game against 3GML rival Green Bay.

Minnesota Vikings @ GREEN BAY PACKERS

GREEN BAY - The Packers (4-3, 1-2 NFC North) dropped a heartbreaker 30-24 in overtime to division rival Minnesota (6-1, 2-0).  The Green Bay offense was again in a funk and had 4 turnovers on the day (2 interceptions and 2 fumbles).  Things looked so bad that the kicker Jason Sanders had more touchdown passes (1 on a fake field goal) than the quarterback Aaron Rodgers (0). 

The game looked promising early when Royce Freeman broke things open with a long touchdown run, but after that the offense repeatedly stalled (or turned it over) and it was struggle from there.  To their credit, Green Bay did drive down and kick a field goal to tie it with a few seconds left on the clock to force overtime.  However, after winning the toss, the offense went 3 and out and punted back to Minnesota who drive down, scored and won the game.

Rumors are starting to swirl about play-calling duties in Green Bay now.  Don't expect any changes with the Packers set to take on San Francisco in a short week, but another poor performance and those rumors could get a lot louder.