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No preseason, no problem: NFL rookies shine in strange year

No preseason, no problem: NFL rookies shine in strange year

Young and Jefferson made the Pro Bowl, and surely more rookies would have joined them as alternates at the league’s now-canceled all-star game. “It’s crazy unusual for a rookie, I think, to have the type of leadership that Chase has, genuine leadership,” Washington quarterback Alex Smith said. “I think a lot of young guys, especially high picks, I think you feel pressure to do it some way or somehow. “Talk about a rookie coming in, starting every game and just being focused,” Browns Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio said of Wills. “We’re growing and we’re starting to get a hang of the game,” said Dolphins right tackle Robert Hunt, a second-round pick and one of six Miami rookies starting on offense.

Cowboys beat Eagles 37-17, stay alive with Washington loss

Cowboys beat Eagles 37-17, stay alive with Washington loss

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) and wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) celebrate a touchdown catch by Lamb in the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 27. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)ARLINGTON, Texas – Andy Dalton threw for 377 yards and three touchdowns, two to Michael Gallup, and the Dallas Cowboys stayed alive in the playoff race with a 37-17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Dallas can overtake Washington (6-9) with a win at the New York Giants and a Washington loss to the Eagles on the final weekend of the regular season. The Giants (5-10) can get in by beating the Cowboys if Washington loses. UP NEXTPhiladelphia has Dallas' fate in its hands at home against Washington in the regular-season finale.

Plenty of reasons for scoring's record-setting pace in NFL

Plenty of reasons for scoring's record-setting pace in NFL

The top mark in NFL history through nine weeks was 24 ppg in 2018. That has eliminated the need for silent counts for road teams, making life much easier for offenses. Road teams are 67-65-1 this season, marking the first time since 1983 (68-57-1) that they had a winning record through nine weeks. From 2010-19, home teams outscored road teams by 2.0 points per game. FLAG FOOTBALL: From the crackdown on hits against defenseless receivers to the protections in place for quarterbacks, NFL rules always seem to tilt toward the offense.

Column: Another grim chapter for Atlanta's sports history

Column: Another grim chapter for Atlanta's sports history

Dallas Cowboys cornerback C.J. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)ATLANTA – As the ball spun slowly along the turf at Jerry’s World, the black-clad players backing away like it was a live grenade, Atlanta’s grim sports history flooded the consciousness. There was never any doubt a Dallas player would fall on the onside kick before the Falcons did. There was never any doubt the game-winning kick would almost perfectly split the uprights, handing a team from Atlanta an almost unfathomable defeat. The Falcons led 20-0 in the first quarter after Dallas fumbled the ball away three times.

Cowboys' rally stuns Falcons 40-39 in McCarthy's home debut

Cowboys' rally stuns Falcons 40-39 in McCarthy's home debut

Dallas Cowboys' Chris Jones (6) and others celebrate with kicker Greg Zuerlein (2) after Zuerlein kicked a field goal to help the Cowboys to a 40-39 win against the Atlanta Falcons in an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)ARLINGTON, Texas – One gamble after another failed for coach Mike McCarthy in his home debut with the Dallas Cowboys. Greg Zuerlein kicked a 46-yard field goal as time expired, and the Cowboys overcame four fumbles and a 20-point deficit in the first quarter to beat the Atlanta Falcons 40-39 on Sunday. The Falcons pushed the lead to 39-24 on Younghoe Koo's fourth field goal with just under eight minutes left. Calvin Ridley was the leader for the Falcons this week with 109 yards and two touchdowns.

Rams open SoFi Stadium in style with 20-17 win over Cowboys

Rams open SoFi Stadium in style with 20-17 win over Cowboys

Dak Prescott passed for 266 yards and a touchdown, but Dallas managed three points on its six drives in the second half. The opening of Rams owner Stan Kroenke's $5 billion stadium project was a historic night for the Los Angeles area, albeit one that should have been much more festive. Elliott tied it early in the second quarter with a 19-yard TD catch during which he ran through most of the Los Angeles defense. Van Jefferson's first career reception was a beautiful 31-yard grab in the second quarter, but it was the promising Rams rookie's only reception. Right tackle Cam Erving and tight end Blake Jarwin both didn't return from knee injuries in the second quarter.

No. 5 Oklahoma still Big 12 favorite with inexperienced QB

No. 5 Oklahoma still Big 12 favorite with inexperienced QB

The Sooners are still considered the overwhelming favorite to win their sixth consecutive Big 12 crown overall because nobody has dethroned them with Riley there. Purdy last year set school records with 3,982 yards and 27 TDs passing, leading the Big 12 with 306.3 yards per game. Conference play begins Sept. 26, the start of an 11-week stretch for nine league games before the Big 12 title game Dec. 12 or Dec. 19, if an extra week is needed. Since this is only TCU's ninth season in the league, Patterson technically isn't the longest-tenured Big 12 coach. Former Oklahoma State quarterback Mike Gundy is in his 16th season as head coach for his alma mater.

Cowboys' Prescott has eye on present without long-term deal

Cowboys' Prescott has eye on present without long-term deal

Dak Prescott stuck with his virtual hiatus trying to get a long-term contract that never came during the offseason. Im not a guy that looks at my future to be honest, Prescott said Wednesday, two days before the first practice of training camp for the Cowboys. He was an almost instant star with the Cowboys, winning 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year as a fourth-round pick who replaced injured 10-year starter Tony Romo during his first preseason. The Cowboys made the hotel available to their players, and Prescott estimated 90% of them had essentially agreed to create their own bubble. The Cowboys cleared their COVID-19 reserve list early this week by activating WR Jon'Vea Johnson and CB Saivion Smith.

Hurts, No. 10 Oklahoma rally to beat No. 12 Baylor 34-31

Hurts, No. 10 Oklahoma rally to beat No. 12 Baylor 34-31

Baylor quarterback Charlie Brewer (12) passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Waco, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. When it was all over, Hurts and coach Lincoln Riley were sharing a joyous embrace and the No. 12 Baylor on Saturday night that ended the Bears’ bid for an undefeated season. Oklahoma erased a three-touchdown halftime deficit and tied the game at 31-all on Hurts’ 2-yard TD pass to Willis. That was after the Sooners had opened the second half with Stogner’s second TD catch, a 3-yarder that made it 31-17.