Tuesday Evening Kicker: 2021 Week 3 Recap

And then there was one. Just one team remains unbeaten in this early part of the 2021 schedule. The Blitz used a fourth-quarter comeback to beat Russia and earn their first victory. Jamaica knocked off the previously unbeaten Kamikazes. The Crabs hit a minor detour in their quest for the first overall pick. And three other games finished in blowouts.

Can’t catch the Squirrels! Switzerland wins big division game against Ukraine

Switzerland Squirrels 186.1, Ukraine Grainers 140.22 — There’s a new big dog in town, at least through the first three weeks of the season. The league’s highest-scoring team, Switzerland, stretched their unbeaten record to 3-0, already accumulating more victories than they’ve had in the past two years combined. In the process, the Squirrels have beaten division rival Ukraine and have taken a strong 2-game lead in the North Division. Once again, receiver Cooper Kupp blew up the scoreboard with another strong performance, scoring 36.1 in this one. Quarterback Tom Brady had another solid outing leading the way with 36.65. Running back Aaron Jones notched 21.4 points while receiver Adam Thielen added 21.25. For the Grainers, they were doomed from the start when yet another running back succumbed to injury. Christian McCaffrey left the game early and finished with just 7.4 points. Leading the way in the loss, however, were Jalen Hurts (26.42), Saquon Barkley (24.6) and Chris Godwin (23.55), who was recently acquired from Christmas Island. Next Week: Switzerland will try to make it four in a row when they face Turkey. Ukraine will look to get back on track against Russia.

Big 4th quarter brings Blitz back to life

Bangkok Blitz 164.63, Russia Renegades 160.12 — Scoring the most optimal points through three weeks is of little comfort to the Blitz if they don’t have the victories to show for it. After falling behind early against Russia in this one, Dak Prescott scored 24.58 points to help lead a fourth-quarter comeback and propel the Blitz to their first victory. Receiver D.J. Moore tallied 26.7 points in the victory. Running back Austin Ekeler added 24.9 and Antonio Gibson finished with 19.8. For the Renegades, Justin Jefferson led the charge with 33.55 points in the loss. Rookie Najee Harris tallied 31 points while Lamar Jackson added 22.77 and Calvin Ridley finished with 18.35. Next Week: Bangkok will try to put two together when they face division rival Egypt. Russia looks to rebound against North foe Ukraine.

Jerks bring down the planes, hand Nagasaki first loss

Jamaica Jerks 170.18, Nagasaki Kamikazes 160.68 — The Kamikazes offense cooled down in Week 3 and the defense just didn’t have an answer for Jamaica, as the Jerks scored a huge victory. No Dalvin Cook? No problem. Replacement Alexander Mattison tallied 28.3 points in his stead. Receivers Mike Evans (24.6) and Keenan Allen (24.5) were instrumental in the victory as well. Joe Burrow added 20.93 points. For the Kamikazes, Ja’Marr Chase (25.25), Derrick Henry (25), Chase Claypool (24.85), Kyler Murray (24.83) and Travis Kelce (22.65) all put up solid performances. So, what went wrong? Robert Woods (10), Pittsburgh Steelers (6.5), Younghoe Koo (6), and A.J. Brown (1) all put up duds. Next Week: Jamaica looks to keep the momentum rolling when they take on San Juan in a tough West matchup. Nagasaki will try to accept the freebie from East rival Christmas Island.

Whoops! Crabs pound the Wookiees in East Division action

Christmas Island Crabs 179.98, Wake Island Wookiees 133.98 — Christmas Island wasn’t just going to coast to a winless record in 2021 in their quest for the first overall pick. Teams don’t have to have the worst record anymore to secure that prize, so pounding the Wookiees into submission and scoring the third-most points in the league this week was just a slight detour. All this came after the Crabs traded arguably their best player in Chris Godwin, too. Raise your hand if you expected this: Sam Darnold led the way with 30.58 points, receiver Emmanuel Sanders tallied 30.4 points (yes, in the year 2021), Christian Kirk woke up from the dead to score 21.9 points, and running back Giovani Bernard tallied 20.1. And then, yeah, it helped to get big scores from George Kittle (21.55) and Mark Andrews (19.65). For the Wookiees, Matthew Stafford had to do all the heavy lifting with 34.38 points. Running back James Robinson tallied 28.4 points and the Denver Broncos added 17.1. Unfortunately, four players scored less than 5 points in the loss, including the electric T.J. Hockenson (3.5). Next Week: Christmas Island will look to get back to its losing ways when they face East rival Nagasaki. Wake Island will try to wake up when they face Ecuador.

Allen picks apart the Ewoks; Scorpions earn West Division victory

San Juan Scorpions 188.58, Ecuador Ewoks 152.52 — Quarterback Josh Allen blew up for 43.63 points on 5 touchdowns in a big West Division victory over Ecuador. Receiver D.K. Metcalf racked up 27.95 points and running back Alvin Kamara tallied 25.6. Justin Tucker’s 19.7 points, including his 6.6-point long-range missile, helped propel the Scorpions as well. The Ewoks finally got a big game out of running back Ezekiel Elliott, who tallied 30 points in the loss. Brandin Cooks had another solid outing with 26.15 points while Ryan Tannehill finished with 25.67. Next Week: San Juan faces another divisional opponent in Jamaica. Ecuador will look to rebound against the Wookiees.

Pharaoh Phlop: Egypt offense stalls as Turkey knocks off South rival

Turkey Jerky 154.08, Egypt Pharaohs 112.47 — The Pharaohs had six players score in single-digits this week, including a 0.75-point effort from tight end Eric Ebron (gotta love those tight ends!) as the Pharaohs rolled over and buried themselves in a South Division battle with Turkey. The Jerky were led by Davante Adams with 40.2 points. D’Andre Swift tallied 26.5 points and the Philadelphia Eagles added 20.95. The Pharaohs got 28.72 points from Patrick Mahomes and 22.9 from Jakobi Meyers. Next Week: Turkey faces the red hot Squirrels. Egypt has another tough South matchup against Bangkok.