2021 3GML Season - Week #14

 San Francisco 49ers @ Cincinnati Bengals

CINCINNATI - The San Francisco 49ers dropped their third straight game Sunday, this time 28-14 to the Cincinnati Bengals.  San Francisco (8-5) looked out of sorts offensively all day with Justin Fields taking six sacks on the afternoon.  The Niners found themselves in 2nd or 3rd and long most of the day and didn't find the end zone until the 4th quarter.

"Terrible performance," Coach Kyle Shanahan said. "Guys will be held accountable and we will get better."

San Francisco is hoping this season isn't deja vu all over again after rushing out to a 7-1 record last year only to falter down the stretch and miss the playoffs.

The 49ers will try to snap their losing streak next week when they return home to host the Atlanta Falcons.

Seattle Seahawks @ Houston Texans

HOUSTON - The Seattle Seahawks dominated the Houston Texans 51-23 Sunday in a game where Houston was down multiple starters due to injury.  The Texans (8-5) struggled to stop the powerful Seahawks offense and couldn't move the ball enough to keep up.  It was a lop-sided affair and Houston will likely burn the tape.

Houston will look to get healthy and take advantage of an awful Jacksonville team next week.

Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY - The Green Bay Packers clinched the NFC North Division with a 29-10 win over their oldest rival, the Chicago Bears.  Green Bay (9-4, 4-0 NFC North) controlled the clock most of the game and even though it wasn't pretty offensively, took care of business.  With the loss, Chicago (3-10, 2-2) slipped into last place in the division. 

"Man, it was awesome watching Aaron [Rodgers] have this moment last year," Tua Tagovailoa said. "But for that to be me on the field this year means a lot.  We have the same goal this year, win the Super Bowl.  This is just the first step."

Green Bay will now turn its attention to seeding and will look to improve their ranking next week at the Baltimore Ravens.

2021 3GML Season - Week #13

Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans

HOUSTON - The Houston Texans pulled into a tie for first place in the AFC South after their 19-14 win over the Indianapolis Colts (4-9, 2-3 AFC South).  Houston (8-4, 3-1) dominated the time of passion as their offense put up 436 total yards of offense including 300 yards passing.

"You look at the stat sheet and we outplayed them in every facet of the game," Coach David Shaw said. "However, the only stat that matters is the final score and we didn't do a good enough job putting the football in the end zone."

Houston who looked committed to quarterback Andy Dalton during the week used a quick hook after three series and turned the keys over to Gardner Minshew.  That proved to be the right move as Minshew was electric, throwing for 287 yards and a touchdown.  

"My job is to provide a spark," Minshew said.  "I'm going 110% every time I step on the field."

The Texans are right in the thick of the AFC playoff hunt now and will turn their attention to the Seattle Seahawks next week.

San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks

SEATTLE - A furious comeback by the San Francisco 49ers fell just short as the 49ers dropped one Sunday 41-30 to the Seattle Seahawks.  Seattle (8-4, 2-2 NFC West) came out firing on all cylinders as the Russell Wilson to D.K. Metcalf combination helped the Seahawks put up 35 points in the first half.

San Francisco (8-4, 3-2) was once again down starting quarterback Justin Fields but backup Jordan Love found his grove in the second half and found a way to get the Niners back in the game.  Love ended up with 383 yards passing, 3 touchdowns, and an interception on the day.  His favorite target CeeDee Lamb had a breakout game catching 12 passes for 202 yards and 2 touchdowns.

"Doesn't matter without the win," Lamb said. "Dang, I hate the Seahawks."

San Francisco split the season series with Seattle and the two teams are deadlocked at the top of the division at 8-4.  The race should be a tight one down the stretch, but some good news is on the way as San Francisco believe Fields will be back in the lineup next week when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals.

New York Giants @ Miami Dolphins

MIAMI - The disappointing season continued for Miami (5-8) as they lost their second game of the year in overtime, this time 26-20 to the New York Giants.  The Giants (7-5) were able to hang 17 points on the Dolphins in the 4th quarter including the game tying touchdown with 27 seconds left in the game.  They won the coin flip in overtime and rode the momentum down the field to victory.

"This one stings," Coach Hines Ward said. "We are still technically in the hunt down two games with four to go."

Miami finally gets it bye next week and will look to get healthy before the home stretch.

2021 3GML Season - Week # 12

 Minnesota Vikings @ San Francisco 49ers

SAN FRANCISCO - The injuries finally caught up the the San Francisco 49ers (8-3) as they dropped their game Sunday to the Minnesota Vikings 32-30.  Minnesota (4-7) used a furious 4th quarter where they scored 19 points to put away a hot San Francisco team that was just undermanned.  The Niners were down starting quarterback Justin Fields, all pro running back Alvin Kamara, and young star receiver CeeDee Lamb in this one and it showed.

Backup quarterback Jordan Love played admirable in place of Fields, throwing for 225 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

"No excuses," Love said. "We expect to win every time we step on the field.

Defensively, San Francisco didn't have an answer for running back Dalvin Cook who shredded the 49er defense at the worst times including a 97 yard touchdown run right before the half.

The Niners will look to get healthy and back on track next week when they take on division rival Seattle.

New York Jets @ Houston Texans

HOUSTON - The Houston Texans (7-4) held on in a nail-bitter to defeat the New York Jets 31-24.  Up 17 in the fourth quarter, things starting getting a little too close for Houston's liking when Zach Wilson found Jaylen Waddle for a 64 yard touchdown pass and followed it up a field goal a little later in the quarter to make it a one score game.  After another Houston punt, the Jets looked poised to tie things up but stalled out in the red zone sealing a Texans win.

For the Jets (3-8), Waddle was out of this world, amassing 271 yards and three touchdowns.  Nothing Houston threw at him could slow him down.

"That stings a bit,"  Coach David Shaw said. "I'm not sure how two rookies like he and Zach Wilson ended up on this roster."

For the Texans, the pass rush returned after a multi-week absence and both Clelin Ferrell and Melvin Ingram had two quarterback sacks.

"Felt good to finally get one in this uniform." Ingram said after being traded by Pittsburgh earlier in the season.

Houston currently sits in the 8th seed and just outside the playoffs if the season ended today.  They will look to continue their playoff push next week agains fellow AFC South foe Indianapolis.

Los Angeles Rams @ Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY - The Los Angeles Rams fell flat losing 30-10 to the Green Bay Packers Sunday after hyping up their all-star roster heading into the game.  The Rams, who were pre-season darlings by the media, have now fallen to 4-7 on the year and currently reside in last place in the NFC West.

It was the Packers (8-4) in this one who looked like the contender with a sharp defensive performance holding Los Angeles to 282 yards and 10 points.

"Locking in at the right time," Defensive back and team captain Casey Hayward said. "We know this defense can hang with anyone.  It's just a matter of showing it each week."

Green Bay heads into their bye week with a comfortable 3.5 game lead in the NFC North.

Carolina Panthers @ Miami Dolphins

MIAMI - The Achilles heel of the Miami Dolphins all season has been the health of their amazing wide receiver trio, Julio Jones, Allen Robinson, and Corey Davis.  It has been a rarity that all three have been on the field at the same time.  That weakness reared its ugly head three-fold Sunday with all three players missing the game due to injury. 

Miami (5-7) paid for it with a disappointing 34-3 loss to the visiting Carolina Panthers.  The Dolphins only gained 197 yards on the day and running back James Conner was their leading receiver with five catches for 31 yards.

The good news for Miami is that no one seems to be pulling away in the AFC East.  Both Buffalo and New England lost, keeping the Dolphins only one game out of the division lead with six weeks left.

The Dolphins have one more game next week against the New York Giants before they finally get their week 14 bye.

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.