SAN FRANCISCO 49ers @ Los Angeles Rams
LOS ANGELES - The San Francisco 49ers lost their second game in a row Sunday, falling to the Los Angeles Rams 23-16. After rattling off seven wins in a row, the Niners (7-3-1, 2-2 NFC West) have gone winless their last three games (0-2-1).
"Our offense just seems a little out of sync." Coach Kyle Shanahan said, "We have to do a better job of getting started. We took three quarters to get out of first gear."
Alvin Kamara, who was garnering MVP talk early in the season, only touched the ball 10 times (5 carries and 5 receptions). He appeared visibly frustrated after the game. "Man, I want to help. I know I can help. It's just frustrating sometimes." Kamara said.
The loss muddies the water a bit for the Niners playoff seeding hopes. The number one seed and bye is still attainable but the team likely will need some help getting there. The road doesn't get easier as San Francisco hosts the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football next week.
HOUSTON TEXANS @ Detroit Lions
DETROIT - The Houston Texans stayed in the hunt for the top pick in next years draft after falling 28-21 to the Detroit Lions. In what was a matchup of two 2-8 teams, it was the Lions (3-8) that came out on top in the end.
Things were not going Houston's way early, including some questionable clock management before half time that left points on the board. However, gritty 4th quarter play by Andy Dalton and company got the Texans (2-9) back into it. Trailing by 14 with seven minutes to go, Houston marched down the field and scored on a Ryan Switzer touchdown reception to cut the lead in half. Detroit ran a fair amount of time off the clock but had to punt it back to the Texans with 57 seconds left. Dalton got his offense to the 50 yard line with 18 seconds left but, when his team needed him most, threw an interception to end the game.
"That's on me man. I was trying to get us a little closer so we had a shot at the end zone but it was the wrong throw." Dalton said after the game.
Houston will continue on next week as they host the division-leading Indianapolis Colts.
Chicago Bears @ GREEN BAY PACKERS
GREEN BAY - The Green Bay Packers won their third game in a row in blow-out fashion, dismantling the Chicago Bears 59-10. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was otherworldly, throwing for 503 yards, 6 touchdowns, rushing for another touchdown and finishing with a perfect quarterback rating of 158.3. "I felt locked-in today. The reads were easy and receivers were open. I have to give Coach Bieniemy credit for bringing in Matt [LaFluer] earlier this season. That tandem has been able to do wonders with our offense these past few weeks."
Rodgers is right as Green Bay (7-3-1, 2-2 NFC North) has been on a tear of late, scoring 133 points (44.3/game) during the last three wins. Stefon Diggs has been unleashed in the new offensive scheme and went off for nine catches, 181 yards and three touchdowns. Diggs now leads the entire league in receiving yards. "Blessed. I have the greatest quarterback in the league throwing me the ball. Did you guys see that last one? I looked back and thought Aaron was down, next thing I know the ball is coming my way in the end zone." Diggs said, referring to a 51 yard touchdown pass where Rodgers avoided a sack by Roquan Smith to thrown the bomb.
The loss moved the Bears (5-6. 1-2) down the ladder in the NFC North while getting Green Bay within a game of the outright division lead. The Packers will look to keep rolling next week as they host the Philadelphia Eagles at Lambeau Field.
