Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Junior connected for an 84-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to give the Giants a 31-24 win over the Dolphins in Miami on “Monday Night Football.” It was Beckham’s second score of the game. Manning completed 27-of-31 passes for 337 yards and four touchdowns as New York put themselves in a three-way tie for first in the NFC East at 6-and-7.
The Patriots are AFC East champions once again. With the Dolphins loss on “Monday Night Football” to the Giants, New England clinched a seventh straight division championship. At 11-and-2, the Pats are the top-seed in the AFC in front of the 10-and-3 Bengals and Broncos.
The Bulls outscored the 76ers by 22 in the third quarter en route to a 115-96 win at the United Center. Chicago trailed by five at halftime, but used a 34-12 third quarter to pull out their third straight win. Jimmy Butler netted 23 points to pace the Bulls, while Tony Snell had 16 points and 11 rebounds. The Bulls continue their five-game homestand tomorrow against Memphis.
Major League Baseball will not be reinstating Cincinnati Reds legend Pete Rose. Commissioner Rob Manfred has chosen to leave Rose’s lifetime ban from the sport in place. The all-time hit king was banned for betting on baseball while managing the Reds in the 1980’s.
The Cardinals appear to be out of the running for any marquee free agents left on the open market. After outfielder Jason Heyward signed with the Cubs last week, Cards GM John Mozeliak [[ mo-ZAY-lack ]] says Stephen Piscotty is likely to take over in right field next season.
The Cubs have finalized a one-year, 4.25-million-dollar contract with pitcher Trevor Cahill. The deal could pay him as much as 7.5-million-dollars based on starts. Cahill went 1-and-0 with a 2.12 ERA in 11 relief appearances for the Cubs last season.
The San Francisco Giants are landing another big time free-agent starting pitcher. The team has agreed to a six-year contract with right-hander Johnny Cueto [[ KWAY-toh ]]. CBSSports.com reports the deal is worth 130-million-dollars, while CSN Bay Area reports it contains an opt-out clause after two years.
Michigan State remains number-one in this week’s “USA Today” Top-25 Coaches’ College Basketball Poll. Iowa State is still second, while Oklahoma jumped up five spots to third. Kentucky is fourth followed by Kansas.