NFL:
In the NFL, the New York Giants built a lead and held onto it last night, dominating the Washington Redskins and clinching a 32-21 victory. New York fell apart in the fourth quarter of losses to Dallas and Atlanta. This time, the Giants stayed in front late in the game against the injury-plagued Redskins. Eli Manning was efficient, finishing 23 of 31 for 279 yards.
On Sunday at 1 p.m. Jacksonville is in Foxboro to take on New England, Philadelphia is in the Meadowlands to face the Jets, and Buffalo will see the Dolphins in Miami at 4:25 p.m.
New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, wide receiver Eric Decker and running back Chris Ivory are all uncertain to play on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles because of injuries. Revis strained his groin during Monday night's win at Indianapolis. Decker sprained his left knee against the Colts and hasn't practiced since. Ivory is dealing with a quadriceps injury after straining his groin last week.
The NFL says it would only put a full-time franchise in London if all operational issues are worked out and the league is sure the team would be competitive. Mark Waller, NFL executive vice president of its international division, says there is no time frame for possibly placing a team in London, adding that a decision will come "when we're ready." The NFL has played 11 regular-season games in London since 2007. Wembley Stadium will host three more games this season, starting with the Miami Dolphins against the New York Jets on Oct. 4.
MLB:
In baseball, the Kansas City Royals are the first American League team to wrap up a playoff berth beating Seattle 10-4. Meanwhile, the Yankees beat the White Sox 3-2 to put them just three games back from the AL East leading Blue Jays, Tampa Bay doubled up Boston 4-2, Texas topped Oakland 8-1, and Cleveland bested Minnesota 6-3.
In the National League, The New York Mets own a magic number of three for winning the NL East following their 6-4 win at Cincinnati. And in interleague play Baltimore edged Washington 5-4 which gives the Mets a 7 ½ game lead in the NL East. The Dodgers topped Arizona 6-3, Pittsburgh beat Colorado 5-4, Miami won against Philadelphia 1-0, St. Louis bested Milwaukee 7-3, and it was San Diego over San Francisco 5-4.
New Red Sox president Dave Dombrowski has promoted 39-year old Mike Hazen to general manager. Hazen's promotion from assistant GM is the first big move by Dombrowski since he took over in August. The Red Sox have been last in the AL East for the past two seasons.
NHL:
In NHL preseason play, Boston edged the Rangers in a shootout 4-3, Washington skated past Montreal in a shootout 4-3, St. Louis blanked Dallas 6-0, Detroit beat Pittsburgh 6-1, Calgary beat Colorado 1-0, and Minnesota won against Columbus 5-2.
The lawyer of a woman accusing Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane of sexual assault abruptly quit the case Thursday night, saying he's no longer comfortable representing the woman because of how her mother reported finding an evidence bag they believed once held the woman's rape kit. Thomas Eoannou told reporters on Thursday night that he doesn't believe the story he was told about how the bag was found. Eoannou says he confirmed with prosecutors investigating the case that the bag is authentic. But he says he doesn't know what evidence the bag contained.
The reversal comes after police said Wednesday that the rape kit and the bag itself were handled properly. Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita planned a news conference Friday to talk about the case. Eoannou previously said that the folded up paper bag was found by the woman's mother in between her storm door and her front door. Eoannou says he's still confident in the woman's allegations against Kane.
WNBA:
The Seattle Storm won the WNBA draft lottery for the second consecutive year last night, and with it the right to pick UConn star Breanna Stewart. The 6-foot-4 forward, who can play all five spots on the floor, has led the Huskies to three consecutive national titles and has been the national player of the year for two consecutive seasons. She's the consensus choice to be the top selection in the April draft.
NBA:
Jason Richardson is calling it a career after 13 years in the NBA. The 34-year-old swingman signed with the Atlanta Hawks in August after playing in just 19 games with the Philadelphia 76ers last season because of a knee injury. Richardson also played with Golden State, Phoenix, Orlando and Charlotte.
The NBA is adding additional rest days to its NBA Finals schedule, putting two days in between every game where travel is necessary. Continuing one of Commissioner Adam Silver's goals of finding extra time off for players, the 2016 finals will begin June 2 and would end June 19 if a Game 7 is necessary. The latest change moves Game 3 and Game 5 back a day. Last year, there was only one off day when teams changed cities, and they played again the night after arriving.
UN:
David Beckham is urging world leaders to put children at the center of the ambitious set of global initiatives that will be adopted Friday at the United Nations. The English soccer star is a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. He said Thursday he wants a "world where children can grow up safe from war, violence, poverty and preventable disease — a world where every child has a fair chance."
Beckham joined the U.N. chief in speaking a day before a record number of heads of state and government gather at the U.N. to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals. Its aim is to eliminate poverty and hunger over the next 15 years. The U.N. says nearly 6 million children under 5 die every year from mostly preventable causes.
PGA:
Henrik Stenson shot a 7-under 63 to take the lead after the first round of the Tour Championship. The Swede is one of five golfers that can wrap up the $10 million FedEx Cup bonus is he wins the final event of the four-tournament playoff series. He holds a two shot lead over Paul Casey, with Rory McIlory and Zach Johnson three back. The others that can claim the FedEx Cup title with a win this week are Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson. Spieth finished with a 68, Day and Fowler shot 69s, and Watson posted a 70.
NCAA:
University of Texas regents have approved a financial settlement with former athletic director Steve Patterson. He resigned under pressure on Sept. 15 after 22 months on the job. Patterson had a guaranteed contract through 2019 worth at least $1.4 million per year. The settlement is expected to be worth less than that.
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