A Sports Filled Weekend It Was

Only one team has beaten the Dallas Cowboys and that team has done it twice.

The New York Giants opened the season with a win over the Boys, who then went on an 11-game winning streak. But the Giants’ defense stifled the Cowboys on a chilly Sunday night in East Rutherford, N.J., and Odell Beckham Jr.’s 61-yard catch-and-run made the difference in a 10-7 decision.

The Cowboys (11-2) are still the only NFL team to clinch a playoff berth. The Giants (9-4) helped themselves in the wild-card race. The Washington Redskins (7-5-1) are also still in that chase after beating the Philadelphia Eagles 27-22.

The Detroit Lions picked up their ninth victory and their eighth in come-from-behind style, knocking off the Chicago Bears 20-17. The Lions (9-4) could struggle down the stretch, though, with quarterback Matthew Stafford saying he can play through a dislocated finger (and torn tendons) on his throwing hand.

Other Streaks

The Buffalo Bills, 6-7 after getting slapped 27-20 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, appear ready to extend their streak of non-playoff seasons to 16. Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell set a club record with 236 rushing yards and scored three touchdowns. Many reports circulating Sunday night indicated coach Rex Ryan would not be around next week, much less next season…The Cleveland Browns’ losing streak (this season) was extended to 13 games by the Cincinnati Bengals, who trounced them 23-10. And the San Francisco 49ers blew a 14-0 lead at home and fell 23-17 in overtime to the New York Jets, giving the Niners a 12-game losing streak.

College Football

Army also ended a streak, beating Navy Saturday 21-17 to win this iconic game for the first time in 15 years…Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson won the Heisman Trophy, finishing ahead of Clemson QB Deshaun Watson and three others.

Elsewhere
The Seattle Sounders, who did not muster a shot on goal in 120 minutes of play, defeated Toronto FC on penalty kicks 5-4 to win the MLS Cup in brutally cold conditions in Toronto…No. 3 North Carolina nipped Tennessee 73-71 on Sunday. No. 12 St. Mary’s easily handled UC Irvine 84-53.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman