>>Giants’ Spagnuolo Names Manning Starting QB
(East Rutherford, NJ) — The New York Giants are turning back to Eli Manning at quarterback. Interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo [[ spag-NO-lo ]] says Manning will start Sunday against Dallas at MetLife Stadium. Spagnuolo took over after head coach Ben McAdoo and GM Jerry Reese were fired on Monday. Manning was benched last Sunday by McAdoo in favor of Geno Smith, ending a streak of 210 consecutive starts.
>>Cavaliers Get Past Kings For 13th Straight Win
(Cleveland, OH) — LeBron James guided the Cavaliers to their 13th straight win as they got past the Kings 101-95 in Cleveland. James nailed a three-pointer with 15 seconds left to close out the game and finished with 32 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Kevin Love added 18 points and 13 boards for the Cavs, whose 13-game winning streak tied the franchise record.
>>Bulls Blow Big Lead, Drop 10th Straight To Pacers
(Indianapolis, IN) — The Bulls took a 14-point lead into the fourth quarter, but couldn’t close out the Pacers in a 98-96 loss at Indiana. Kris Dunn had 18 points for Chicago, which was outscored 29-to-13 in the final frame. Lauri Markkanen missed a three at the end as the Bulls lost their 10th straight to fall to 3-and-20. They visit Charlotte tomorrow.
>>Blackhawks Waxed In Washington
(Washington, DC) — The Blackhawks fell behind 3-0 in the first period and never recovered in a 6-2 loss to the Capitals at Washington. Lance Bouma and Jonathan Toews [[ Taves ]] lit the lamp for Chicago, which suffered its fifth straight setback. The Blackhawks will begin a three-game homestand with the Sabres tomorrow.
>>Bears Practicing For Bengals
(Lake Forest, IL) — The Bears are back on the practice field today as they get ready for Sunday’s game against the Bengals in Cincinnati. Chicago has lost five in-a-row and is last in the NFC North at 3-and-9. Their only road win of the season came was a Week Six overtime victory at Baltimore. The Bengals are 5-and-7 on the season.
>>Former Colts HC Meyer Dies
(Undated) — Former Colts head coach and Purdue football player Ron Meyer is dead at the age of 76. Meyer passed away Tuesday in the Austin area due to an aortic aneurysm. Meyer was a walk-on football player for the Boilermakers and Colts head coach from 1986 through 1991. Meyer was the AFC Coach of the Year in 1987, guiding the Colts to a 9-and-6 record and a playoff berth. Meyer also coached at SMU, UNLV, and for the New England Patriots.
>>Illinois Slips Past Austin Peay
(Champaign, IL) — Illinois used a strong second half to slip past Austin Peay 64-57 at the State Farm Center. Michael Finke had 17 points and eight rebounds for the Fighting Illini, who trailed by two at the break before outscoring the Governors 38-to-29 in the second half. Illinois is 7-and-3 on the season. The Illini play at UNLV on Saturday.
>>Washington Upsets Second-Ranked Kansas
(Kansas City, MO) — Washington knocked Kansas from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 74-65 upset at the Sprint Center in Kansas City. Matisse Thybulle [[ muh-TEESE THY-bull ]] led the Huskies with 19 points, while Jaylen Nowell finished with 17. Noah Dickerson contributed 13 points and 14 rebounds as Washington improved to 7-and-2. LaGerald Vick paced the Jayhawks with a career-best 28 points.
>>NFL Commissioner Goodell Signs Extension
(Undated) — NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is signing a contract extension to remain in his position through 2024. ESPN reports the five-year deal is expected pay Goodell about 40-million-dollars per year. Goodell has served as commissioner of the league since 2006, earning more than 200-million-dollars over that time.
>>Steelers’ Shazier Transferred To Pittsburgh Hospital
(Pittsburgh, PA) — Injured Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier is back in Pittsburgh. He’s been transferred from University of Cincinnati Medical Center to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for treatment and further testing on his spinal injury. Shazier was hurt during Monday’s win at Cincinnati while making a tackle on Bengals wide receiver Josh Malone in the first quarter.