2020 Season - Week #3

 SAN FRANCISCO 49ers @ New York Giants

NEW JERSEY - The San Francisco 49ers are probably a little sad to head home after another dominating performance in the Meadowlands this Sunday.  Playing in New Jersey in back-to-back weeks, the Niners (2-1) took care of the New York Giants (1-2) 36-7 a week after dismantling the Jets in the same stadium.

"Yeah, you could say we enjoyed our time here." said Alvin Kamara after the game.  Kamara was again effective on this field racking up 140 yards on 30 carries with 2 touchdowns for a total of 288 yards and 3 TDs in his two games here.

"Alvin had another monster game.  We were so effective running the ball with him we just didn't want to take it out of his hands.  He's probably going to need to ice up a bit after this one.  Looking forward to getting his running mate back I'm sure." Coach Kyle Shanahan after the game.

After a loss to open the season, the 49ers are making a statement with their domination.  One NFC scout said, "That was a really good team, against a team that, if this were European soccer, they'd be relegated to Morocco.  That was a whooping."

San Francisco will have to show they can beat better teams to keep themselves in good playoff standing in a tough NFC West.  That starts next week when they host the Philadelphia Eagles.

GREEN BAY PACKERS @ New Orleans Saints

NEW ORLEANS - In an absolute dog fight, the Green Bay Packers (2-1) outlasted the New Orleans Saints (2-1) by a score of 16-7.  In a game which was billed as a matchup featuring two great offenses, it was the defenses that set the tone, keeping things tight all day.  Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, two hall of fame quarterbacks, combined for zero touchdowns and two interceptions (one each) if that gives you any indication of what this game was like.

With the Saints driving late in the second quarter and threatening to go up 14-3 after moving into the red zone, the Packers defense made what ended up being the difference in the game.  Guarding wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, Casey Hayward deflected a Brees pass up into the air.  Safety Budda Baker was there to come down with the ball and returned it to the house for a 94 yard pick-six.

"Right place, right time.  Gotta give Casey credit for breaking it up.  We practice tip drill all the time in practice for plays just like that." Baker said after the game.

Green Bay will look to reignite their offense and push their wining streak to three next week against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night.

HOUSTON TEXANS @ Pittsburgh Steelers

PITTSBURGH - Riding high after a huge upset last week against the Baltimore Ravens, the Houston Texans (1-2) came out and had the football equivalent of a PBFU (post-birdie fudge up) in golf against the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1), dropping the game 34-6.

Houston's offense has had some key injuries this year and it showed against one of the NFL's best defenses.  Already without wide receiver Denzel Mims, the Texans added receiver Sterling Shepard, center Brandon Linder, and running back Raheem Mostert to their inactives before the game.

"We are banged up on offense, no doubt." Coach David Shaw said, "But that's no excuse.  This is the NFL and we have to do better."

Houston struggled to move the ball all day amassing 255 yards total on offense.  Their defense was on the field a lot as a result and Pittsburgh wore them down late.

The Texans tough schedule continues next week when they host the 3-0 Minnesota Vikings.

2020 Season - Week #2

SAN FRANCISCO 49ers @ New York Jets

NEW JERSEY - A week after dropping their opener the San Francisco 49ers bounced back in a big way with a 24-7 win over the New York Jets.  The 49ers (1-1) used a ground and pound attack to keep the Jets (1-1) offense off the field.  Alvin Kamara was a workhorse all afternoon to the tune of 148 yards on 30 carries with one touchdown.

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was efficient as well going 18 of 26 for 229 yards and a TD of his own.  "Felt good to get that first W.  Offense felt pretty good.  Have to keep things going man.  Can't let off the gas." Bridgewater said in his post game press conference. 

The score could have been even more one sided, but the Jets defense had some key stops on the day.  "Sloppy. Too many misses on 3rd and 4th down conversions.  We are going to have to play better if we expect to hang with our division." Coach Kyle Shanahan stated after the game.

San Francisco stays in the Garden State next week as they take on the New York Giants.

Baltimore Ravens @ HOUSTON TEXANS

HOUSTON - The Houston Texans (1-1) sent shock waves through the NFL Sunday afternoon with their surprising 13-6 upset of Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens (1-1).

Houston's defense was dynamic causing Jackson to feel uncomfortable all afternoon and coming up with multiple 3rd down stops. Defensive captain Zach Cunningham said, "Nobody said we could win this game.  We believed in ourselves and our game plan.  Lamar is a heck of a quarterback, but guys just stepped up on this D.  So proud of this unit."

Jackson struggled to get things going, only passing for 168 yards on the afternoon.

The Texans offense did just enough to give themselves a chance by committing no turnovers and using a late touchdown rush by Leonard Fournette to give them the lead for good.

Cam Newton was dynamic on the ground rushing 15 times for 90 yards and picking up multiple first downs when his team needed it the most.  "Gotta give them credit for their coverage today, not much was there.  I just saw daylight and ran."

After a complete rebuild with an expansion roster, the Texans have their first signature win and will look to continue things next week in Pittsburgh against a solid Steelers team.

Detroit Lions @ GREEN BAY PACKERS

GREEN BAY - In what was the most exciting of the 10 morning NFL games, the Green Bay Packers (1-1, 1-1 NFC North) used a late touchdown drive from Aaron Rodgers to beat the Detroit Lions (0-2, 0-2) by a score of 31-27.  

Trailing 27-24 after the Lions scored right outside the two-minute warning, Rodgers took the Packers offense 79 yards down the field and capped the drive with a 20 yard touchdown to Robert Foster in the back of the end zone.  

Rodgers put up massive numbers on the day throwing for 459 yards and 3 touchdowns on 47 attempts.  However, he also put his team in a bind with two key interceptions including a pick six right before the half.  "I have to be better.  I just got a little too aggressive trying to fit the ball in tight windows.  Glad we came out on top of this one."

When asked about his teams 47 pass attempts to 13 rush attempts, Coach Eric Bieniemy blamed himself for the imbalance.  "We have to establish the run.  I got away from it too early in the game and I think it put a lot of pressure on our defense to be on the field for so many minutes.  You can expect us to be more balanced next week."

Green Bay faces their toughest challenge yet as they head down to New Orleans to take on the 2-0 Saints in the Superdome.

2020 Season - Week #1

 2020 3GML SEASON

Week #1

HOUSTON TEXANS @ Kansas City Chiefs

KANSAS CITY - After a fast first quarter, the Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) outlasted the Houston Texans (0-1) 31-26 at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday Night. 

The expansion Texans rolled out their ground-and-pound attack with mixed results. HB Raheem Mostert dropped a sure touchdown early but bounced back with a strong game finishing with 81 total yards and TD.

“We’ll find our footing,” Mostert said. “That is a good team over there; If we see them again I think it’ll be different.”

Newly paid MLB Zach Cunningham played well all night with 7 tackles and strong coverage throughout.

“Fans are out there buying my jersey - I gotta represent,” Cunningham said. “We’re still getting to know each other - We’ll be alright.”

Recently acquired fan favorite Ryan Switzer scored a TD early in the 4th quarter while the game was still in reach. The slot receiver trended on Twitter for most of the night due to his electric run-after-the-catches and plucky disposition.

“I can’t really explain the love I receive, but I’ll take it,” Switzer said. “Hashtag...Thanks?”

The Texans face another tough test next week as they take on Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. 

GREEN BAY PACKERS @ Minnesota Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS - In a defensive struggle the Green Bay Packers (0-1, 0-1 NFC North) fell 17-21 against the Minnesota Vikings (1-0, 1-0).

Late in the 4th both Harrison Phillips and Casey Hayward came up with crucial plays to put the team in a position to potentially steal the game late. 

For most of the game reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers continued his strong play from a year ago against a tough NFC North opponent. But late in the 4th quarter Rodgers tried to fit a pass into a tight window and was picked off to end the game.

“Every day I get to put on this Green Bay Packers jersey is an honor,” Rodgers said. “Our sole job this year is to bring the Lombardi trophy home to Lambeau Field. We just didn’t get it done today.”

Rookie Justin Jefferson hauled in his first NFL TD after the break - The LSU product looks to be a keeper for the Pack.

“Great feeling to get on the field,” Jefferson said. “We just gotta keep grinding and get back at it.”

Budda Baker flew around the field all night to justify his new contract. The fourth year player is looking to step into a leadership role this year in Green Bay.

Green Bay will look to rebound next week against the Detroit Lions. 

Arizona Cardinals @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ers

SAN FRANCISCO - In a battle of dual threat quarterbacks, Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals (1-0, 1-0 NFC West) outlasted Teddy Bridgewater and the San Francisco 49ers (0-1, 0-1) with a 28-24 win.  Murray was electric and used his legs to do the most damage including the go ahead touchdown late in the fourth.

San Francisco was able to move the ball most of the day but a critical interception by Bridgewater when the 49ers were trying to go ahead late sealed the deal.

“I have to be better.  This was a battle between two great teams and we were going toe to toe all day.  We’ll get them back in their place later this year.”

Coach Kyle Shanahan, however, was not happy with his team’s defensive effort.  

“Deandre Hopkins was allowed to do whatever he wanted out there today.  I’ll have to look at the tape but there will be some words with our secondary in meetings this week.”

Bay Area talk radio will likely be debating a pair of Shanahan’s 4th down decisions Sunday afternoon.  Early in the game on a 4th and goal, the Niners went for it and came up empty.  Later, when many would have argued they should have gone for it, he kicked the field goal.

San Francisco will look to bounce back in New York against the Jets next week.