2022 3GML Season - Week 18

Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY - The Green Bay Packers didn't miss a beat without their starting quarterback, as back up rookie Sam Howell lead the team to a dominating 38-6 victory.  The win keeps the Packers (11-5-1) hot as the playoffs approach and the only question now is whether or not Tua Tagovailoa will be back in time for the wild card round next week.

Offensively in this one, James Robinson had his best game of the year, rushing for 130 yards and two touchdowns.

"With Tua out, I knew the game plan would be a little more run heavy.  I was ready."  Robinson said.

Defensively, the Packers held a pitiful Detroit offense to six points and look ready to avoid a repeat of last year where they gave up 52 points to the Seahawks in the first round.

"We'll play anyone," Cornerback Patrick Surtain said.  "We ready."

Green Bay now will host Washington in the wild card round next week.

Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers

SANTA CLARA - The San Francisco 49ers lost a tough one at home 27-17 to the Arizona Cardinals.  With the loss, the 49ers (12-5) fall out of the NFC number one seed and now will play as the three seed in the wild card round next week.  It was death by a thousand paper cuts as the Case Keenum-led Cardinal offense ate up the clock and moved the ball in small chunks all afternoon.

"Have to be better," Coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game.  We controlled our own destiny and didn't get it done.  We have to regroup now and be ready to make our run.  We're in the dance and that's all that matters now."

The 49ers will turn around and play Arizona again next week in the wild card round.

Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts

INDIANAPOLIS - The Houston Texans (11-6) lost against the Indianapolis Colts 22-17.  In a tight back and forth affair, it was the Colts who came out on top.  Brandin Cooks was once again excellent for the Texans with 139 yards and two touchdowns.

"Wasn't good enough again.  Just like last week where I played well and we still lost,'' Cooks said. "Gotta turn this thing around."

The loss didn't hurt the Texans playoff seeding as they remain number two and will host the seven-seed Denver Broncos next week.

2022 3GML Season - Week 17

San Francisco 49ers @ Las Vegas Raiders

LAS VEGAS - The San Francisco 49ers kept rolling as they took down the Las Vegas Raiders 24-6 Sunday.  With the win, the Niners move to 12-4 and look hot as the playoffs approach.  However, with no clear winner of the NFC's number one seed heading to week 18, look for San Francisco to keep playing for something when they take the field next week.

In this one, the 49ers followed their successful script of solid defense and timely Justin Fields runs. Fields, who is a virtual lock for MVP, ran for 90 more yards and wasn't asked to pass much.

"Feeling good right now," Fields said.  "I know I can help this team with my legs and I understand my role."

San Francisco finishes its regular season next week against the Arizona Cardinals.

Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY - The heart attacks continued as the Green Bay Packers (10-5-1) squeaked out another close win, this time 29-28 against the Minnesota Vikings.  Receiver Amon Ra St. Brown was electric out of the slot for the Packers, amassing 123 yards receiving.

"This offense still has more to show people," St. Brown said.  "Just wait."

The win gives Green Bay ten on the year and they'll look to make it eleven next week when they host the Detroit Lions.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans

HOUSTON - The Houston Texans (11-5) lost a heartbreaker 32-31 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the most heartbreaking way.  Down the one point with less than a minute left, quarterback Gardner Minshew led his team down the field only to run the ball and let time expire rather than throw it away and let his kicker attempt one for the win.

The loss was crippling for Houston as dropping one to a team like Jacksonville in this fashion right before the playoffs is likely to impact player morale.

Houston will try to now finish strong in its regular season finale next week on the road against the Indianapolis Colts.

2022 3GML Season - Week 16

Washington Commanders @ San Francisco 49ers

SANTA CLARA - The San Francisco 49ers cooled off the Washington Commanders Sunday with an exciting 34-20 win.  With the Niners up seven, the Commanders had a chance to tie the game, but safety Marcus Williams had other plans and intercepted Taylor Heinicke to return it for a touchdown sealing the win for San Francisco (11-4).

The Niners now travel to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders.

Green Bay Packers @ Miami Dolphins

MIAMI - Facing their former quarterback, the Green Bay Packers couldn't overcome Aaron Rodgers stellar play and fell 31-23 to the Miami Dolphins.  Rodgers who likely had extra motivation to beat the team was outstanding, throwing zero interceptions and taking zero sacks on the day.  

A silver lining for the Packers (9-5-1) was finally having huge games from both of their all-pro receivers.   Stefon Diggs and Justin Jefferson both had over 90 yards receiving on the afternoon.  Green Bay will need more of this if they are going to make a run in the playoffs.

The loss likely knocks Green Bay out of the hunt for the number one seed in the NFC, but we'll see if they continue to play their starters down the stretch.  They next return home to host the Minnesota Vikings.

Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans

TENNESSEE - The Houston Texans (11-4) claimed the AFC South Division title for the 2nd consecutive year with their 17-10 win over the Tennessee Titans.  The Titans down a large number of key players including quarterback Ryan Tannehill, couldn't muster much offense against the mighty Texans D.  

Houston will look to keep in the hunt for the AFC's number one seed next week as they host the Jacksonville Jaguars.

2022 3GML Season - Week 15

Los Angeles Rams @ Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY - The Green Bay Packers won back to back games for the first time since week 4 as they easily handled the banged up Rams.  Their 37-3 win combined with Minnesota's loss clinches the NFC North for the Packers for the 3rd consecutive year.

Green Bay (9-4-1) played an error free game and forced multiple turnovers on the night.  Patrick Surtain II had two interceptions including one for a touchdown, while Haason Reddick had three sacks on the night.

"Man, he's always just there," Surtain said of Reddick.  "Like you look up and he's just there making a play."

Green Bay will look to keep rolling next week as they travel to take on former Packer and two-time 3GML MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Dolphins.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Houston Texans

HOUSTON - Banged up and slow out of the gates, the Houston Texans fell 45-21 to the white-hot Kanas City Chiefs.  The loss will give the Texans some questions as their defense, which has been strong all year, looked flummoxed trying to stop Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.

Houston (10-4) will now turn its attention to the AFC South as their last three games are all against division opponents.  Tennessee and Indianapolis are lurking and the Texans will have work to do if they want to host a playoff game in January.  Up first, the Tennessee Titans.

San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks

SEATTLE - The San Francisco 49ers clinched the NFC West title for the 2nd consecutive year after taking down the Seattle Seahawks 30-20 Thursday night.  With the win, the Niners will host a home playoff game as they begin their quest of getting back to the Super Bowl.

As for the game itself, the San Francisco run game combined with a great defensive effort was more than enough to keep the Seahawks at bay.  It was an omen of what was to come, Seattle fumbled the opening kickoff, giving the 49ers great field position.  Even though it resulted in a field goal, it set the tone and San Francisco never looked back.  

Alvin Kamara had a pair of touchdowns offensively and was happy to be back in the playoffs.

"Great game.  We need to celebrate this one," Kamara said. "Thinking of hitting the strip in Vegas."

San Francisco now turns it attention to playoff seeding as it hosts the NFC leading Washington Commanders.

2022 3GML Season - Week 14

 Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ San Francisco 49ers

SANTA CLARA - Tampa Bay's defense proved too much an obstacle for the San Francisco 49ers Sunday as the Buccaneers ground their way to a 23-13 victory.  That, combined with a 49ers (9-4) defense which was running on reserves and couldn't get the stops they needed, led to a long afternoon.

Vita Vea was a game wrecker for Tampa and the normal rush attach from Justin Fields and company was neutralized as a result.  The loss was a tough one for the Niners as the playoff picture starts to become clearer.  San Francisco was in the hunt for the one seed, but will need a little more help down the stretch now.  On the bright side, the division feels like it's all but wrapped up with both Los Angeles and Arizona losing their quarterbacks for the season.

The quest to get back on track begins next week as the 49ers travel to take on division rival Seattle.

Houston Texans @ Dallas Cowboys

DALLAS - In a stunner, the Houston Texans walloped the Dallas Cowboys 35-23.  In what was billed as a marquee matchup, the Texans left little doubt who was the better team.  While the score was close in the end, the game was not, as the Cowboys scored a couple late garbage-time touchdowns to make it respectable.  With the win, Houston moves to 10-3 and stays in contention for number seed in the AFC.

In the game, Jerome Baker scored two defensive touchdowns on scoop and scores.

"Right place, right time man," Baker said.  "Love helping my team win."

Houston will try to keep rolling next week against the Kansas City Chiefs.

2022 3GML Season - Week 13

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears

CHICAGO - The Green Bay Packers used defense and special teams to beat their rival Chicago 36-6 Sunday at Soldier Field.  The Bears, who are in full rebuild mode and starting a backup quarterback didn't present much of a challenge to the NFC North leading Packers (8-4-1).

The Bears (2-11) stating PJ Walker struggled to move the ball all day.  This allowed Green Bay to have excellent field position and use a balanced run and pass game to put things away early.  Even though they probably didn't need the extra points, the defense gave them some with Patrick Surtain collecting his league leading 8th interception and taking it back for a touchdown.

Green Bay maintains a comfortable division lead and will look to rest up before the final stretch next week on their bye.

Cleveland Browns @ Houston Texans

HOUSTON - The Houston Texans spoiled quarterback Deshaun Watson's return to the Browns from suspension with a 26-23 win.  Houston (9-3), the current AFC one seed, looked awful offensively all game. As usual though, the defense was superb and kept the Texans in the game early.  

With not much going well for Houston and the Browns (7-5) up 16-12 in the 4th quarter, things changed quickly with the Texans defense taking matters in to their own hands.  Cornerback Mike Hilton intercepted Watson and took it back for a touchdown giving Houston the lead.  On the very next possession, Watson was sacked by Azeez Ojulari causing a fumble.  The ball was scooped up and ran back by Melvin Ingram for another Texan TD, putting the game out of reach.

"Some times your offense wins game, sometimes it's the defense," Hilton said.  "It's a team effort here."

Houston will look to get their offense clicking again next week as they take on the other team from Texas, the Cowboys.

Miami Dolphins @ San Francisco 49ers

SANTA CLARA - Down multiple starters and battling torrential rain, the San Francisco 49ers found a way to get the 24-17 win over the visiting Miami Dolphins (6-6).  Justin Fields once again ran the Niners (9-3) to victory with 139 yards on the ground. It was Fields’ 8th 100 yard rushing game this season, bringing his season total to 1193 yards.

San Francisco has a comfortable three game lead in their division, but is fighting the injury bug in their locker room.  The cushion may be needed as they limp across the finish line.  Their goal now is to win the division and get healthy in time for a home playoff game.

All their injuries to the defense will be tested next week at they host Tom Brady and that Tampa Bay Buccaneers.