2022 3GML Season - Week 3

 San Francisco 49ers @ Denver Broncos

DENVER - The San Francisco 49ers overcame a shaky passing attack to stay undefeated and upset the Denver Broncos 34-21 at Mile High.  Denver (1-2) looked to be in the driver seat early when Rasul Douglas intercepted Justin Fields and took it back for an early touchdown.  However, the 49ers (3-0) didn't rattle and used a strong run game and defense to take control, scoring 17 unanswered before halftime.  From there, they held on and still remain in the driver's seat in the NFC West.

Justin Fields looked human for the first time this year, throwing two interceptions and only amassing 239 yards in air.  However, his legs kept the chains moving and at the end of the day, it was enough.

"I'll look at the tape and see where I can get better.  It's easier to go back and look at your mistakes after a win." Fields said.

San Francisco heads home next week to host the Los Angeles Rams.

Green Bay Packers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers blew a 17-0 lead against the Green Bay Packers, losing 20-17 in overtime.  Tampa Bay (2-1) came out hot and Tom Brady was on-point as the Buccaneers built an early lead.  However, the Packers (3-0) defense, led by second-year corner Patrick Surtain II kept the game from getting away.  Surtain II was elite, allowing zero receptions with multiple pass break ups and two interceptions.

"Patrick is a top corner in the league." Coach Matt LaFleur said. "Watch the tape, then watch it again slowly.  All-Pro out there."

With the game still within striking distance, running back James Robinson moved the chains and scored early in the 3rd quarter to get Green Bay back on track.  After tying things up late in the 4th, Green Bay lost the coin toss in overtime.  With Brady and the offense moving the ball, things look dire for the Pack.  However, Quinnen Williams broke through the line for a huge sack and got his team the ball back.  From there, the offense was able to move the ball into range for Jason Sanders who kicked the winning field goal.

Green Bay will try to stay undefeated next week agains the New York Football Giants.

Houston Texans @ Chicago Bears

CHICAGO - The Houston Texans created quarterback controversy once again after seemingly settling the issue last week.  Malik Willis started against the Chicago Bears (0-3) after playing the majority of the game in week two.  This time, however, he struggled in hurricane-like conditions throwing two back-breaking interceptions; one for a pick six and the other with his team on the one yard line looking to score.

Coach David Shaw had seen enough and turned to Gardner Minshew the last two and a half quarters.  Minshew was much better and got the Texans (2-1) back into the game.  The Texans defense was able to shut down a rudderless Bears offense, used multiple turnovers of their own, and walk out with a 27-24 victory.  

Those thinking Minshew earned the starting job himself, were reminded this isn't going to be so cut and dry as Minshew threw his own pick six keeping the Bears in the game.  It appears the Texans may have to play the hot hand each week moving forward even if that hand is lukewarm.

Houston will need a better performance at the position next week as they face the 3-0 Los Angeles Chargers.

2022 3GML Season - Week 2

 Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers

SAN FRANCISCO - The San Francisco 49ers (2-0) took down their division rival Seattle 33-10 in their week two matchup.  Once again quarterback Justin Fields accounted for the majority of the 49ers offense with 109 yards rushing and 230 yards in the air.

Seattle (0-2) never got things going offensively against the mighty Niners defense, only amassing 190 yards of total offense.  Cam Newton threw three interceptions, one each to Thomas Graham, Derwin James, and C.J. Garner-Johnson and it was clear Seattle has a ways to go before they will be competing for division titles again.

San Francisco looks to stay hot against former division rival Russell Wilson and his new team, the Denver Broncos.

Houston Texans @ Denver Broncos

DENVER - The defending Super Bowl champions got back on track with a week two win on the road in Denver.  Houston (1-1) looked very much in trouble offensively throughout the first half as both Malik Willis and Gardner Minshew struggled to move the ball.  However, a superb effort from the Texans defense led by Travis Gibson, kept the Broncos (1-1) to only 10 points.  

Gibson had perhaps the play of the game on Denver's first drive.  With the Broncos looking ready to score on a third and goal, Gibson took the ball out of running back Javonte William's arms and secured it for the Texans.

"I've never seen anything like it," said defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.  "He just stole the ball like it was basketball or something.  It never hit the ground.  That was a grown man play right there."

After a fiery speech from David Shaw at half time, the Texans scored 17 unanswered points in the 3rd quarter and never looked back, winning 24-10.

After a week of speculation, the world got the first glimpse of a Malik Willis led offense.  Willis started the game and played roughly 90% of the snaps.  In his time under center, Willis showed the raw talent that led the Texans selecting him in the 2nd round.  However, he also showed there will be some growing pains as he learns to play the position in the NFL.  Houston will take the bumps in the road as the flashes they saw Sunday should give them hope for the future.

Willis will continue his journey next week against the Chicago Bears who just lost Trey Lance for the season with a broken ankle.

Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY - The oldest rivalry in the NFL lived up to its hype in a thrilling Sunday night game between the Bears and Packers.  Tied 24-24 with under two minutes to go, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa led the Packers (2-0) down the field and running back James Robinson punched in the winning touchdown giving Green Bay the 31-24 victory.

For the Bears (0-2), it was a disappointing loss both on the field and for their season as quarterback Trey Lance was carted off the field with a broken ankle and will need season-ending surgery.

For the Packers, the offense seems to be clicking and stopping the three-headed monster of Stefon Diggs, Justin Jefferson, and Amon-Ra St. Brown will be a tall order for any defense.  The Packers arguably have three of the top ten receivers in the league on their roster and can drop back to pass in confidence knowing at least one will always get open.  The Bears struggled to stop this trio and had to pick their poison on defense all night.

Green Bay is at the top looking down on three 0-2 teams in their division.  The cushion will be nice as they face a tall order next week with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

2022 3GML Season - Week 1

 San Francisco 49ers @ Chicago Bears

CHICAGO - The defending NFC champions picked up where they left off last year with a complete annihilation of the Chicago Bears (0-1).  San Francisco (1-0) weathered the literal and figurative storms early and walked away with a 36-7 victory at Soldier Field.

With pounding rain and strong winds creating difficult field conditions, 49er quarterback Justin Fields threw an interception on his first pass attempt, setting up Chicago's only scoring drive.  However, after the early mistake, Fields locked in and the 49ers looked every part of NFC contender they have been predicted to be.  Fields used his arm (20-27, 232 yds, 2 TDs, INT) and legs (15 rushes, 120 yds) to keep the ball moving while the San Francisco defense kept the Bears offense in disarray.  Trey Lance finished with an abysmal 41.5 quarterback rating (13-29, 135 yds, TD, 2 INT) for the Bears.

The narrative all week has been about the quarterbacks  Early rumors in the 2021 NFL Draft had San Francisco debating between Trey Lance and Justin Fields.  GM CD ultimately selected Fields while Lance fell to Chicago.  In the first matchup between the two first round picks, Fields justified his selection, while Lance had Bears fans wondering if they missed on another first round quarterback.

San Francisco heads back west for their home opener next week as they take on division rival Seattle.

Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS - The Green Bay Packers (1-0) used a major second half adjustment to score 38 unanswered  points and roll the Minnesota Vikings 38-10.  The Vikings (0-1) looked ready to run away with things early, forcing three interceptions by Tua Tagovailoa and a fumble by Amon Ra St. Brown.  However, the Minnesota offense was only able to muster 10 points, and as a result, Green Bay was never out of it.

A steady diet of running the ball with James Robinson (96 yds, TD) allowed Tagovailoa to find his groove and the Packers scored touchdowns on their next four drives.

"Happy to be back out there," Robinson said referencing his season ending with an Achilles tear last year.  "We knew with this team, we're never out of it."

Not to be forgotten was the stellar play of the Green Bay defense who kept the Pack in the game despite the early turnovers.  The Vikings were held to 157 total yards of offense on the day thanks in large part to Patrick Surtain II who prevented Kirk Cousins from finding his number one option most of the afternoon.  When Minnesota looked to finally be moving the ball, Surtain shut things down again with a pick-six to put the game out of reach.

The Packers head home to take on another division foe in the Chicago Bears Sunday night.

Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans

HOUSTON - The defending Super Bowl Champions quest to repeat got off to a rough start as the Houston Texans (0-1) fell 20-7 to the Indianapolis Colts (1-0).  The Texans offense could never really get things going as they alternated between Gardner Minshew and Malik Willis at quarterback.  The two QB system worked wonders for coach David Shaw last year but wasn't effective this game.

Quarterback Matt Ryan impressed in his new uniform, throwing for 214 yards and a touchdown on a 83% completion percentage.  The Texans defense just could get Ryan and company off the field when they needed.

Rumors are already swirling of a shakeup with play calling duties after the Texans offense struggled all game.  With an elite slate of AFC teams, the urgency for Houston to not fall behind early is real. One popular rumor is that Coach David Shaw will take control of the offense from OC Pep Hamilton and let Hamilton focus on developing the young QB Willis.  No official word yet on a change, but it will likely be the focus of Shaw's media session next week.

Houston will look to bounce back next week when they travel to Denver to take on the Broncos.