NFL:
On Monday Night Football, the New York Giants forged a three-way tie atop the NFC East by beating the Miami Dolphins 31-24 last night. Odell Beckham made two touchdown catches, including an 84-yard reception to break a fourth-quarter tie. New York's Eli Manning went 27 for 31 for 337 yards and four scores. His passer rating of 151.5 was his highest since 2009.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton won't need surgery on his broken thumb, giving him a chance to play again this season. Dalton broke the thumb on his passing hand during Sunday's loss to the Steelers. It's still unclear how many games he'll miss. Former Alabama QB AJ McCarron will serve as the Bengals signal-caller while Dalton recovers.
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick sounds like he's ready to hold a bake sale for the league if that's what it needs to put cameras on NFL sidelines and end zones. Asked about using replay on a sideline catch by James White in the third quarter of Sunday night's game against Houston, Belichick said he didn't see an angle that gave him an answer.
NFL – Flex:
The Giants' Monday night win over Miami means they will play on Sunday night in two weeks.
The NFL announced earlier Monday that its Dec. 27 prime-time matchup would hinge on the result of the game between New York and the Dolphins. The Giants' visit to Minnesota in Week 16 now shifts into "Sunday Night Football" on NBC under the league's flexible scheduling policy.
New York is in a three-way tie for first place in the NFC East. The Vikings are currently a game out of first in the NFC North.
The Steelers-Ravens game originally scheduled for prime time Dec. 27 moves to 1 p.m. EST. The Colts-Dolphins matchup that day switches from CBS to Fox, and Jaguars-Saints will start at 4:05 p.m. EST instead of 1 p.m.
The NFL can move more appealing matchups to Sunday night starting with Week 11. It also now has the ability to "cross-flex" afternoon games from one network to the other.
MLB:
Rob Manfred has become the latest baseball commissioner to say no to Pete Rose.
Manfred has informed Rose that his application for reinstatement to baseball has been denied. In a lengthy statement the commissioner said that he had his staff conduct a thorough investigation of Rose and his history of gambling. Manfred says he doubts that Rose has a "scope of his violations."
Manfred said in a letter sent to Rose that baseball's all-time base hit king hasn't been completely honest about his gambling on baseball and that he continues to bet on games.
The commissioner said his ruling has no bearing on whether or not Rose is ever considered for the Hall of Fame, adding that, "any debate over Mr. Rose's eligibility for the Hall of Fame is one that must take place in a different forum."
Rose initially was banned by commissioner Bart Giamatti in 1989, a decision that has been continued by commissioners Fay Vincent, Bud Selig and Manfred.
MLB-Transactions:
The San Francisco Giants have landed another free-agent starting pitcher.
Johnny Cueto and the Giants have agreed to a six-year contract, pending a physical. The Giants say the deal contains a team option for 2022, although Cueto can opt out after the 2017 season and become a free agent again.
The 29-year-old right-hander was 11-13 with a 3.44 ERA in 32 starts for Cincinnati and Kansas City, which acquired him in a trade July 26.
The signing comes after the Giants locked up free-agent hurler Jeff Samardzija (sah-MAHR'-juh) earlier this month.
In other Hot Stove League updates:
— The revamped Seattle Mariners have signed right-handed reliever Steve Cishek (SEE'-chehk) to a two-year contract with the opportunity to end up as the team's closer.
— The Chicago Cubs and pitcher Trevor Cahill have finalized a $4.25 million, one-year contract.
— Right-hander Yusmeiro Petit has wrapped up terms on a one-year, $3 million contract with the Washington Nationals.
NHL:
In the NHL, Edmonton topped Boston in overtime 3-2, Buffalo skated by Detroit 2-1, Ottawa beat Los Angeles 5-3, Washington won against Pittsburgh 4-1, and it was Tampa Bay over Columbus 2-1.
The New York Rangers have placed slumping veteran forward Jarret Stoll on waivers. Stoll has just one goal and two assists in 29 games, and had gone 18 games without a point. Stoll is a 13-season NHL veteran. He won two Stanley Cup titles with the Los Angeles Kings before signing with the Rangers in free agency last summer.
HOCKEY-SONMOR OBIT:
Former Minnesota North Stars and University of Minnesota hockey coach Glen Sonmor has died at 86. Ex-North Stars general manager Lou Nanne says Sonmor died today at a nursing home in Ontario after battling Alzheimer's disease. Sonmor coached the Minnesota Gophers from 1966-71, and also was behind the bench for the WHA's Minnesota Fighting Saints before guiding the North Stars to the 1981 Stanley Cup finals.
NBA - Hall of Fame:
In the NBA, Orlando topped Brooklyn 105-82, Chicago beat Philadelphia 115-96, Denver defeated Houston 114-108, Indiana won against Toronto 106-90, the Clippers bested Detroit in overtime 105-103, Miami beat Atlanta 100-88, Memphis trumped Washington 112-95, Dallas beat Phoenix 104-94, San Antonio defeated Utah 114-81, and it was Portland over New Orleans 105-101.
Basketball players will now be eligible for the Hall of Fame four years after they retire. That's one of the new rules for the Springfield, Massachusetts, shrine. The previous requirement was that a player be retired for five full seasons. Because of the enshrinement calendar, that meant players would be out of the game for six years before they could be inducted.
NCAA:
In college men's basketball, Hartford held off Sacred Heart 80-71 last night. Pancake Thomas scored 17 points with 10 rebounds and four assists for Hartford. Cane Broome and Jordan Allen had 15 points apiece for Sacred Heart.
In college women's basketball, Number 21 Arizona State beat Hartford 60-29 last night. Katie Hempen made three 3-pointers and scored 11 points for Arizona State. Deanna Mayza made five of Hartford's 10 field goals and finished with 14 points. The Hawks were limited to 13 percent shooting in the first half on only two field goals.
Meanwhile No. 13 Duke beat UMass 70-46.
Off to its best start in 12 years, Miami enters The Associated Press women's basketball poll at Number 23. With most teams having a light schedule for exams, there wasn't any change near the top of the poll this week. UConn, South Carolina, Notre Dame, Baylor and Texas are the first five teams.
Golf:
The 2022 Ryder Cup has been awarded to an Italian city for the first time, specifically Rome. Italy beat rivals from Germany, Spain and Austria for the hosting rights to the 44th edition of the biennial competition between Europe and the U.S. This will mark the third time the Ryder Cup has been staged in continental Europe, after Valderrama in Spain in 1997 and Le Golf National in Paris in 2018.
Sports Illustrated:
For the first time in more than 30 years a woman has been named the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year. It's Serena Williams, who won three Grand Slams this year.
Legal:
A legislative committee probing the state's $75 million deal with Curt Schilling's failed video game company 38 Studios is expected to consider reissuing a subpoena for the former Boston Red Sox pitcher.
The House Oversight Committee requested the subpoena. Democratic House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello issued it. It commands Schilling to testify before the committee Tuesday afternoon. Mattiello's spokesman said Monday a constable hasn't been able to serve it. Schilling lives in Massachusetts. The committee plans to discuss reissuing it Tuesday.
It's also considering requesting subpoenas for attorney Michael Corso, who did work for 38 Studios, and former House Finance Chairman Steven Costantino. They declined to appear voluntarily. Corso's attorney says the committee chairwoman misunderstands Corso's involvement and he doubts he'll subject Corso to her questioning. Costantino couldn't be reached for comment.
Daily Fantasy Sports:
A new poll shows two-thirds of New York voters agree with state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman that daily fantasy sports games constitute gambling and are illegal in the state.
The Siena College poll of 822 registered voters found 66 percent agree with Schneiderman while 34 percent believe the games are mainly skill-based and legal. Schneiderman has sued market dominators DraftKings and FanDuel to stop them from taking New Yorkers' entry fees.
The companies estimate they have 2.5 million to 3.5 million players in New York who choose teams of athletes and can win depending on how they perform collectively. The Siena poll has a margin of error of four percentage points.
©2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.