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.
