2021 3GML Season - Week #11

 Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS - The Green Bay Packers got right against division rival Minnesota with a 35-0 blowout win.  The Packers (7-4, 3-0 NFC North) put some distance between them and the Vikings (3-7, 1-1) in the NFC North and put the rest of the division on notice.

Offensively, Stefon Diggs was outstanding with 12 catches for 250 yards and three touchdowns.

"Tua and I had a nice connection in practice this week," Diggs said. "We were able to just look at each other today and know what was going to be open."

Defensively, the Packers got back on track after struggling to stop Seattle last week.  The Packers defense had two interceptions (one each from Patrick Surtain and Damontae Kazee) and held Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota offense to under 250 total yards.

Green Bay has one more game next week against the Los Angeles Rams before they finally get some rest on their bye.

Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans

TENNESSEE - The Tennessee Titans walked it off Sunday after blowing a 14 point lead late to the Houston Texans.  Down 24-10 with eight minutes left, the Texans drove down the field and scored with four minutes remaining.  On the ensuring Tennessee drive, Ryan Tannehill threw a terrible interception to Mike Hilton.

Andy Dalton used the short field and tied things up at 24 with a touchdown pass to Deshaun Jackson.  However, the Texans left 1:40 on the clock and the Titans did just enough to get within field goal range.  A 47-yarder later and the Titans walked off the field winners 27-24.

With the loss the Texans (6-4, 2-1 AFC South) ceded first place to the Titans (7-4, 3-1) in the AFC South.

"Tough loss," David Shaw said after the game. "Hard to drop division games.  The conditions were not favorable today.  Good thing we have one more against these guys at our place."

Houston gets a little easier game next week when they welcome the hapless New York Jets.

San Francisco 49ers @ Jacksonville Jaguars

JACKSONVILLE - The San Francisco 49ers (8-2) rode their dominant run game to an easy 39-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-10) Sunday afternoon.  Defensive Tackle Bilal Nichols reestablished himself as Orson Charles frontrunner with a four sack performance.  Offensively, Phillip Lindsay, once again filling in for the injured Alvin Kamara, carried 30 times for 182 yards and two touchdowns.

"Good team win," Lindsay said. "We're staying hot in spite of the injuries we've sustained."

In addition to Kamara, the 49ers have been playing without edge rusher Bradley Chubb and safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.  To make matters worse, receiver CeeDee Lamb sustained a concussion in the game and quarterback Justin Fields had to exit late after taking a hit to the ribs.

"Next man up," Coach Kyle Shanahan said. "Good teams are able to ride the storm and find ways to win.  I expect us to do just that."

San Francisco heads home to take on the Minnesota Vikings fresh off their 35-0 loss to the Packers.

Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets

NEW YORK - The Dolphins kept their postseason hopes alive with a 41-35 overtime victory over division rival New York (3-7, 0-4 AFC East).  Miami (5-6, 2-2) rode a stellar performance from Jalen Hurts (415 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INT) to victory.  The Dolphins were down both Allen Robinson and Julio Jones in this one, so Hurts turned to Corey Davis and George Kittle to keep the chains moving.

"Find ways to win," Hurts said. "That's the bottom line."

Miami will try to get back to .500 when they host the Carolina Panthers at home next week.

2021 3GML Season - Week #10

 Seattle Seahawks @ Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY - The Seattle Seahawks snapped their eight game losing streak at Lambeau Field with a thrilling 28-23 win over the Packers.  Green Bay (6-4) had an opportunity to walk off the field winners but a 4th and goal pass to N'Keal Harry was broken up by Xavien Howard and Seattle (6-3) held on.  The loss was Green Bay's third in a row and the Packers are no longer locks to run away with the division.

"We've got to get right," Stefon Diggs said.  "This team knows how to win.  We've just got to find that spark again."

The defending champion Packers are no stranger to adversity after battling back to take the NFC North title in week 17 last season after a slow start.  We'll see if they can lean on that experience to right the ship next week against the team they stole the division from in 2020; Minnesota.

Los Angeles Rams @ San Francisco 49ers

SAN FRANCISCO - Phillip Lindsay made fantasy owners happy filling in for the injured Alvin Kamara.  Lindsay led the 49ers offensive attack en route to a San Francisco 23-13 win over the visiting Los Angeles Rams.  The Colorado product rushed 25 times for 117 yards and a touchdown and kept the Rams defense on the field much longer than they wanted.

"Happy to carry the load for a week," Lindsay said. "Alvin had some heavy lifting earlier this season so I'm glad I could follow his footsteps."

San Francisco (7-2, 3-1 NFC West) is hitting their stride midway through the season in a very competitive NFC West.  As things stand, the Niners are the 2-seed in the NFC and have a one game lead over the Seattle Seahawks who they beat earlier this season.

San Francisco takes on the winless Jaguars next week.

Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins

MIAMI - The disappointing season for Miami continues as the Dolphins dropped another game, this time 31-24 to the Baltimore Ravens (6-3).  Miami (4-6) found themselves down 31-3 entering the 4th quarter before rattling off 21 points to make this one respectable.  But for a team that had Super Bowl or bust aspirations, the wheels are starting to fall off.

Miami will see if they can get things on track next week as they take on the struggling New York Jets.

2021 3GML Season - Week #9

 Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers

SAN FRANCISCO - The San Francisco 49ers cooled off the red hot Arizona Cardinals 33-16 Sunday in Levi's Stadium.  Arizona (5-4, 2-1 NFC West) was down it's star quarterback Kyler Murray and go-to receiver DeAndre Hopkins.  San Francisco (6-2, 2-1) took advantage and used a stellar performance by Justin Fields (323 yds passing, 23 yds rushing, 2 TD) to take control of the NFC West.

The 49ers next host the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football in another NFC West contest.

Houston Texans @ Miami Dolphins

MIAMI - The Houston Texans took advantage the rudder-less Miami Dolphins, winning 31-23.  Miami (4-5) jumped out to a 10-0 lead early, but Houston came storming back and turned the tide.  The play of the game had to be a forced fumble by Benardrick McKinney on a 4th quarter kickoff that gave Houston the ball back after going up four.  The Texans (6-3) punched it in and Miami couldn't recover.

For Houston, the two headed monster of  Marlon Mack and Michael Carter dictated the flow of the game.  Mack finished with 75 yards on 14 carries with a touchdown, while Carter had 95 yards on 9 carries and a touchdown of his own.

For Miami, Jalen Hurts came back to earth on this one only throwing for 181 yards and two interceptions. However, he did rush for 118 yards and a touchdown.  DJ Reed added another interception to his league leading total, bringing him to six.

Houston rests up on their bye next week while Miami will look to get back on track hosting the Ravens on Thursday Night Football.

Green Bay Packers @ Kansas City Chiefs

KANSAS CITY - The Green Bay Packers laid their second egg in a row, getting blown out 45-22 against the potent Kansas City Chiefs.  Things started right where they left off last week in Arizona as the Pack (6-3) allowed the opening kick off to be returned 101 yards by Jerick McKinnon for a touchdown.

Kansas City (8-1) then went on to score two more touchdowns in the first quarter making it 21-0 and Green Bay never stood a chance.  The lone bright spot for Green Bay had to be running back Damien Williams rushing for 181 yards as he filled in for the injured James Robinson.

Green Bay will be happy to return home next week after four of their last five have been on the road.  They take on Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks.

2021 3GML Season - Week #8

 Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals

PHOENIX - The Green Bay Packers (6-2) forgot to show up Thursday night and found themselves on the wrong side of a 41-6 blowout against the Arizona Cardinals (5-3).  Arizona's defense gave Green Bay and its quarterback Tua Tagovailoa fits on the day.  Tagovailoa finished with just 93 yards passing and threw four interceptions.

"Have to be better," Tagovailoa said. "Unacceptable."

Kyler Murray was unstoppable most of the game, throwing for 276 yards and 2 touchdowns while rushing for 89 yards on 14 carries.

The one bright spot for the Pack was the stellar play of cornerback Patrick Surtain II who had three pass breakups and an interception.

Green Bay will look to right the ship next week in Kansas City.

Los Angeles Rams @ Houston Texans

HOUSTON - The Houston Texans (5-3) got stuck in neutral Sunday against the visiting Rams, losing 24-10.  Houston looked great on the opening drive, scoring on a Marlon Mack run to make it 7-0 early.  Things deteriorated from there will the Texans offensive line giving up six sacks to the dominant Rams defensive line.

Los Angeles (3-5) moved the ball just enough against the Texans stingy defense to keep their playoff hopes alive.

"Love this team man," wide receiver DeSean Jackson said. "I'm looking forward to being here for this run."

Houston, now losers of two straight find themselves at a crossroads.

"Well we have to win football games to accomplish our goals," David Shaw said. "I have confidence in this locker room.  We'll get this sorted out."

Houston will look to turn things around against the 4-4 Miami Dolphins next week.

Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills

BUFFALO - Miami dropped their season series against division rival Buffalo 26-21 in upstate New York Sunday.  The Dolphins (4-4, 1-2 AFC East), who have been snakebitten by injuries, were down both receivers Julio Jones and Corey Davis in this one.  As a result, the Miami offense struggled against the dominant Bills defense and only made things close at the very end.

Buffalo (3-4, 2-0) leaned heavily on receiver Devante Adams in this one as the Fresno State product picked up crucial third down after third down.

"Happy to play with a quarterback like Josh [Allen]," Adams said. "He's growing into a star in this league."

Miami, who had Super Bowl or bust aspirations to start the season, now find themselves at 4-4 and wondering about their future.  GM EP stepped away from the team after the game and is rumored to be retiring.  However, the 2021 Dolphins have his finger prints all over their makeup and the remainder of this season will still be a part of his legacy.

The Dolphins host rival Houston next week in South Beach.

San Francisco 49ers @ Chicago Bears

CHICAGO - The San Francisco 49ers held on late to down the Chicago Bears 19-14 Sunday at Soldier Field.  San Francisco (5-2) rode Justin Fields' legs to victory against a stingy Bears defense.  Fields rushed 10 times for 93 yards and a TD to keep the Niners in sole possession of first place in the NFC West.

"This team was in this exact spot last year and didn't make the playoffs," Fields said. "I'm here now to make sure that doesn't happen again."

Fields was referring the San Francisco's 7-1 start to the season last year before some untimely injuries led to a 9-6-1finish and a missed postseason.  Coach Kyle Shanahan was not concerned about last year and is looking forward.

"That was a different team," Shanahan said. "We have our goals right in front of us.  It's our job to go get them."

Chicago (1-7) struggled offensively all game under Matt Nagy's play calling.  Things changed in the 4th quarter when technical difficulties led to communication being cutoff from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.  Garoppolo called plays the remainder of the game and things got interesting with Chicago scoring to make is 19-14 with five minutes to go.  After San Francisco stalled, the Bears looked to be poised to score and win the game with little time left on the clock.  However, Kemoko Turay had other plans and sacked Garappolo in the red zone ending any real chance for a Bears victory.

San Francisco has a big divisional game next week as they host the red hot 5-3 Arizona Cardinals.