McCarthy defends key decisions as loss eliminates Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy watches play against the Cleveland Browns in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)Mike McCarthy will take lingering questions about game management into the offseason rather than the momentum of a four-game winning streak to finish a difficult first season as coach of the Dallas Cowboys. McCarthy didn't challenge a catch that set up a 50-yard field goal by New York's Graham Gano when it appeared the ground aided Dante Pettis' 10-yard grab in the Giants' 23-19 victory Sunday. A reversal would have forced New York to punt, and the Cowboys could have gone ahead with a field goal in the final two minutes. As it turned out, a finishing four-game winning streak wouldn't have been enough to get Dallas in the playoffs.
Torrid Ravens get jump on Giants, roll to easy 27-13 victory
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson looks to throw a pass against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)BALTIMORE โ Lamar Jackson directed four scoring drives during the decisive first half, and the surging Baltimore Ravens beat the New York Giants 27-13 Sunday to gain control of their own fate in the AFC playoff chase. Baltimore's fourth straight victory, combined with Pittsburgh's win over Indianapolis, lifted the Ravens past the Colts in the AFC wild-card hunt. With a victory in Cincinnati next week, the Ravens (10-5) will earn a playoff berth for the third year in a row. The Giants (5-10) lost their third straight and were left with only a miniscule chance of making the postseason.
Mayfield, Browns move closer to playoffs, top Giants 20-6
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates with teammate Austin Hooper (81) after they connect for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. โ Baker Mayfield led two 95-yard touchdown drives and the Cleveland Browns moved closer to ending their 17-year playoff drought with a 20-6 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday night. Mayfield was sharp all night, helping the Browns (10-4) bounce back from a 47-42 loss to Baltimore last Monday night. The win got the Browns closer to clinching their first playoff spot since 2002, the NFLโs longest drought. New York's opening drive stalled at the 8 after McCoy's throw to Evan Engram fell incomplete in the end zone. It could've worked, too: Kicker Graham Gano was wide open in the end zone.
Washington has virus case, 3 other teams add to COVID list
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams announced they will hold their team meetings from home Wednesday after an unidentified player tested positive for coronavirus Tuesday night. Washington also placed injured defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis on the list after announcing a positive test. The Raiders put Ferrell and Joyner on the list Tuesday, joining linebacker Cory Littleton, who tested positive last week, and right tackle Trent Brown, who tested positive last month. Los Angeles center Brian Allen was the first NFL player to confirm he had tested positive for coronavirus back in April. A person with direct knowledge of the situation said the player who tested positive did not travel with Washington for its game at Detroit last weekend.
Despite 1 win each, Eagles, Giants have first place in sight
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz (11) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens' Jihad Ward (53) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)PHILADELPHIA โ Itโs Week 7, the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants each have one win and both teams are right in the mix for first place. The victory total will increase after the Eagles (1-4-1) and Giants (1-5) meet Thursday night, unless they tie. The Giants are coming off their first win under coach Joe Judge. But Elliott has hit all of his field goals under 50 yards this season and 89.9% in his career.
Prescott, Cowboys set for 1st visit from Garrett with Giants
ARLINGTON, Texas โ Dak Prescott will see his former coach on the other sideline for the first time when Jason Garrett and the New York Giants visit the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are far from out of the picture in the woeful NFC East, which Philadelphia leads entering the weekend at 1-2-1. Defensive back Logan Ryan grew up in New Jersey and he said rooting against the Cowboys was the norm. It was poor.โTD DROUGHTThe Giants are last in the league with 47 points scored, their fewest through four games since 1996. โThey score 10 billion points a game I think, or something like that,โ he said.