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|
DAL |
NYG |
Prescott throws 3 TDs as Cowboys spoil Eli's return
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) The Dallas Cowboys needed a big win to stay in the playoff hunt and they got it with the big play in spoiling Steve Spagnuolo's debut as New York interim coach and the return of quarterback Eli Manning to the Giants' starting lineup.
Dak Prescott threw two of his three touchdown passes, including a go-ahead 20-yarder to Giants' nemesis Jason Witten, and linebacker Sean Lee set up a touchdown run by Rod Smith as the Cowboys scored three times in a 4:41 span late in the fourth quarter to beat the still reeling Giants 30-10 on Sunday.
''To me, the biggest part of this game was the finish,'' Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. ''That's always a huge emphasis for us, finishing plays, finishing drives and ultimately finishing the game.''
The Cowboys (7-6) did just that in keeping their slim playoff hopes alive.
The biggest play might have been Prescott's 54-yard third down pass play to Cole Beasley. Witten scored on the next play to break a 10-all tie with 7:38 to play and it seemed to take the air out of the Giants (2-11).
''We know what we got to do,'' Beasley said. ''We can't play that way. We have to focus on Dallas Cowboy football, taking it one at a time. You can't think ahead. We could win all of them and not get in.''
After a punt, Rod Smith scored on an 81-yard pass play on third down with 4:08 to play and he closed out the scoring with 2:57 to play with his run on a play that looked as if no one on the Giants wanted to tackle him.
''We knew we needed a play. Guys aren't panicking,'' Beasley said. ''I wouldn't say we were desperate. When you're desperate, you start reaching a little bit, maybe start trying too hard. You have to stay within the system and stay within the game and keep playing and eventually have faith that those things will happen.''
Prescott, who was 20 of 30 for a career-high 332 yards also threw a 50-yard scoring pass to Dez Bryant as the Cowboys stayed in the playoff hunt with three games left in the regular season. Dan Bailey added a 21-yard field goal as the Cowboys finished with 454 yards.
Manning, who got a standing ovation taking the field, threw a 1-yard TD pass to Rhett Ellison late in the second quarter that gave New York a brief 10-3 lead. Aldrick Rosas had a 39-yard field goal. Manning finished 31 of 46 for 228 yards with a touchdown and two late interceptions.
''Nothing's easy, but we hung in there and have played tough,'' Manning said. ''Dallas made a couple big plays, and we didn't.''
The game capped a hectic week for the Giants that started Monday with the firing of second-year coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese and saw Spagnuolo promoted from defensive coordinator to interim coach. He coached the St. Louis Rams from 2009-11.
The moves came with the Giants spiraling out of control in a season where much was expected following their first playoff appearance since 2011.
Fans were also upset with the benching of Manning days earlier in a loss to Oakland, a decision that ended the two-time Super Bowl MVP's streak of 210 consecutive starts.
''I'm really proud of the men in that locker room. I told them that,'' Spagnuolo said. ''After all we went through this week, I thought the way we came out and the way we played for three and a half quarters was something we could be proud of. We do have to figure out a way in the fourth quarter when it gets down to gut-wrenching time to make a play or two.''
Losing close games has been a theme for the Giants this season, and it happened again despite all the changes.
''We knew the situation that they were in,'' Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul said. ''We knew that they had to come and get this win to keep the run going for the playoffs and we just couldn't execute and finish right.''
Bailey, who usually never misses a field goal against the Giants, had a 53-yarder hit the right upright in the second quarter and he was wide right from 50 in the third.
The first half ended 10-all with both teams having long opening drives that ended in field goals and then getting late touchdowns passes.
Manning found Ellison from a yard out to cap a 68-yard drive and Prescott drove the Cowboys 75 yards in four plays with Bryant breaking a tackle and scoring from 50.
UP NEXT
Cowboy: at Oakland on Sunday night.
Giants: host Philadelphia on Sunday.
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Copyright 2017 by AP. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of AP is strictly prohibited.
D. Prescott
4 QB 332 PaYds, 3 PaTDs, 13 RuYds |
32
FPTS
|
|
E. Manning
10 QB 228 PaYds, PaTD, 2 INTs |
11
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
D. PrescottÂ
4 QB
32 FPTS
|
D. Prescott | 20/30 | 332 | 3 | 0 | 32 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
A. MorrisÂ
46 RB
8 FPTS
|
A. Morris | 19 | 62 | 0 | 9 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. SmithÂ
45 RB
27 FPTS
|
R. Smith | 6 | 47 | 1 | 15 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. PrescottÂ
4 QB
32 FPTS
|
D. Prescott | 6 | 13 | 0 | 8 | 32 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
R. SmithÂ
45 RB
27 FPTS
|
R. Smith | 5 | 5 | 113 | 1 | 81 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. BryantÂ
88 WR
13 FPTS
|
D. Bryant | 5 | 3 | 73 | 1 | 50 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. BeasleyÂ
11 WR
5 FPTS
|
C. Beasley | 5 | 3 | 59 | 0 | 54 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Te. WilliamsÂ
83 WR
2 FPTS
|
Te. Williams | 6 | 3 | 25 | 0 | 10 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. MorrisÂ
46 RB
8 FPTS
|
A. Morris | 3 | 3 | 23 | 0 | 11 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. WittenÂ
82 TE
8 FPTS
|
J. Witten | 2 | 1 | 20 | 1 | 20 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. HannaÂ
84 TE
1 FPTS
|
J. Hanna | 1 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. SmithÂ
41 FB
0 FPTS
|
K. Smith | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
N. BrownÂ
85 WR
0 FPTS
|
N. Brown | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
A. HitchensÂ
59 MLB
|
A. Hitchens | 10-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. LeeÂ
50 MLB
|
S. Lee | 10-8 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. HeathÂ
38 SS
|
J. Heath | 7-3 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. LewisÂ
27 CB
|
J. Lewis | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. LawrenceÂ
90 DE
|
D. Lawrence | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. AshÂ
76 NT
|
R. Ash | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. MayowaÂ
93 DE
|
B. Mayowa | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. SmithÂ
54 OLB
|
J. Smith | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
X. WoodsÂ
25 SS
|
X. Woods | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. JonesÂ
31 FS
|
B. Jones | 2-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. AwuzieÂ
33 CB
|
C. Awuzie | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. CrawfordÂ
98 DE
|
T. Crawford | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. JonesÂ
58 DE
|
D. Jones | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. CharltonÂ
97 DE
|
T. Charlton | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. WilsonÂ
57 OLB
|
D. Wilson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. BrownÂ
30 CB
|
A. Brown | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. FrazierÂ
35 SS
|
K. Frazier | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. BenwikereÂ
23 DB
|
B. Benwikere | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
D. BaileyÂ
5 K
6 FPTS
|
D. Bailey | 1/3 | 21 | 3/4 | 6 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
C. JonesÂ
6 P
|
C. Jones | 4 | 47.5 | 1 | 58 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
R. SwitzerÂ
10 WR
0 FPTS
|
R. Switzer | 2 | 25.0 | 28 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
R. Switzer 10 WR
0 FPTS
|
R. Switzer | 2 | 8.5 | 10 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Beasley 11 WR
5 FPTS
|
C. Beasley | 2 | 9.5 | 15 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
E. ManningÂ
10 QB
11 FPTS
|
E. Manning | 31/46 | 228 | 1 | 2 | 11 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
W. GallmanÂ
22 RB
9 FPTS
|
W. Gallman | 12 | 59 | 0 | 13 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
O. DarkwaÂ
26 RB
3 FPTS
|
O. Darkwa | 10 | 29 | 0 | 6 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. VereenÂ
34 RB
4 FPTS
|
S. Vereen | 6 | 23 | 0 | 9 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. ShepardÂ
87 WR
1 FPTS
|
S. Shepard | 1 | -9 | 0 | -9 | 1 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
E. EngramÂ
88 TE
5 FPTS
|
E. Engram | 7 | 4 | 54 | 0 | 35 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. LewisÂ
18 WR
4 FPTS
|
R. Lewis | 11 | 7 | 46 | 0 | 16 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
W. GallmanÂ
22 RB
9 FPTS
|
W. Gallman | 9 | 7 | 40 | 0 | 8 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. VereenÂ
34 RB
4 FPTS
|
S. Vereen | 4 | 3 | 24 | 0 | 10 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. EllisonÂ
85 TE
8 FPTS
|
R. Ellison | 5 | 4 | 20 | 1 | 8 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. ShepardÂ
87 WR
1 FPTS
|
S. Shepard | 3 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 11 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
O. DarkwaÂ
26 RB
3 FPTS
|
O. Darkwa | 3 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 9 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. PoweÂ
80 WR
1 FPTS
|
D. Powe | 4 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
L. CollinsÂ
21 SS
|
L. Collins | 6-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. MunsonÂ
46 MLB
|
C. Munson | 5-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. SheppardÂ
47 LB
|
K. Sheppard | 5-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. HarrisonÂ
98 DT
|
D. Harrison | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. KennardÂ
59 OLB
|
D. Kennard | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. ThompsonÂ
27 FS
|
D. Thompson | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. TomlinsonÂ
94 DT
|
D. Tomlinson | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. CockrellÂ
37 DB
|
R. Cockrell | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. DixonÂ
25 DB
|
B. Dixon | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Pierre-PaulÂ
90 DE
|
J. Pierre-Paul | 2-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. WynnÂ
72 DE
|
K. Wynn | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BromleyÂ
96 DT
|
J. Bromley | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. MorrisÂ
23 DB
|
D. Morris | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Rodgers-CromartieÂ
41 CB
|
D. Rodgers-Cromartie | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. ThomasÂ
99 NT
|
R. Thomas | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
O. VernonÂ
54 DE
|
O. Vernon | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
A. RosasÂ
2 K
4 FPTS
|
A. Rosas | 1/1 | 39 | 1/1 | 4 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
B. WingÂ
9 P
|
B. Wing | 8 | 43.4 | 3 | 55 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
K. RaymondÂ
83 WR
0 FPTS
|
K. Raymond | 3 | 16.0 | 18 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. VereenÂ
34 RB
4 FPTS
|
S. Vereen | 1 | 20.0 | 20 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
K. Raymond 83 WR
0 FPTS
|
K. Raymond | 1 | -3.0 | -3 | 0 |