Seahawks beat Cowboys 21-12 in playoff elimination game

By SCHUYLER DIXON
AP Pro Football Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – Russell Wilson didn't have to do much to keep alive Seattle's hopes for a sixth straight trip to the playoffs, despite the return of star Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott from a six-game suspension.

Justin Coleman put the Seahawks in front for good with a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown , and Seattle beat the Cowboys 21-12 in a playoff elimination game Sunday.

Dak Prescott threw two interceptions and the Dallas offense didn't score a touchdown despite the reunion with his backfield mate, the one he shared a remarkable rookie season with a year ago when Cowboys had an NFC-best 13 wins.

Now Dallas (8-7) is eliminated from the postseason with the end of its three-game winning streak, and the Seahawks (9-6) still have life after Wilson threw for two touchdowns despite a career-low 93 yards passing.

"In these situations where it truly is a must-win game, we don't have to make anything up," receiver Doug Baldwin said. "We're well-prepared for it. The process that we've gone through the whole season really helped us today."

Coleman gave Seattle a 14-9 lead in the third quarter when he reached down to catch Prescott's badly overthrown pass to Elliott and ran untouched 30 yards for a touchdown.

It was the fourth pick-six of the season for Prescott, who threw just four interceptions last season when he was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He has 13 interceptions for the season.

The Seahawks were eliminated in the NFC West race by the Los Angeles Rams' 27-23 win at Tennessee. But they can still make the postseason with some help despite gaining just 136 total yards - their fewest since getting 135 in a 14-9 win over the St. Louis Rams in 2013.

Seattle's first two offensive touchdowns were set up by pass interference penalties in the end zone. The first was a 3-yarder to Jimmy Graham, the second a 6-yarder to Baldwin after running plays backed up the Seahawks both times.

The Cowboys, who lost their first three without Elliott before the winning streak, didn't take it easy on last year's NFL rushing leader after his six-week layoff, giving him 15 carries for 73 yards in the first half.

The longest carry was a 9-yarder as he averaged 4.7 per carry. Elliott, who was suspended on domestic violence allegations, finished with 97 yards on 24 carries.

But Dallas didn't give Elliott the ball with a first down at the Seattle 3 when trailing by nine points midway through the fourth quarter. After a Prescott run, a holding penalty on a pass play and the third sack of Prescott, Dan Bailey missed a 34-yarder.

Bailey, who had two 51-yarders among his four kicks, missed again in the closing seconds.

"It's hard to get over," said Prescott, who was 21 of 34 for 182 yards. "I'm sure I'll get over it at some point. But right now's not the time. Didn't play well enough for us to win. Simple as that."

Dallas receiver Dez Bryant dropped the first pass of the game and was caught on camera on the sideline yelling at former Cowboys receiver Miles Austin, now a staff member. Soon after, he fumbled after making a catch , setting up Wilson's scoring toss to Graham.

Wilson saved that scoring chance by recovering a fumble on a bad handoff on the previous play.

"I didn't have time to sense anything," Wilson said. "The year on the line right there, with the ball on the ground. Whoever takes it, so I just leaped to get that ball."

Bryant had another ball go off his hands on a throw behind him, and the tipped ball was intercepted by K.J. Wright to wipe out one of several promising Dallas scoring chances.

"I'm a little numb because the way we started, the good feeling, the uptick we had with Zeke coming back," owner Jerry Jones said. "All of that, I thought that would rule the day today."

MIMICKING ZEKE

Coleman repeated an Elliott antic from last season, when the Dallas running back jumped into a jumbo Salvation Army red kettle after a touchdown on Thanksgiving. Coleman got the same penalty, too - a 15-yarder for unsportsmanlike conduct.

WAY BACK

The Seahawks had 2 yards passing at halftime thanks in part to DeMarcus Lawrence's 22-yard sack of Wilson in the first half. Lawrence overpowered Germain Ifedi, forced Wilson to backtrack after he tried scrambling to his right and tackled Wilson as he tried to run away from him at the Seattle 8.

GRAHAM MILESTONE

Graham's second-quarter touchdown made him the first NFL tight end with at least 10 scoring catches in a season for two franchises. He did it three times with New Orleans and has 69 career TDs.

INJURIES

Cowboys: Five-time Pro Bowl LT Tyron Smith started despite a right knee injury that kept him out of practice most of the week. He came out after the first series, replaced by Byron Bell.

UP NEXT

Seahawks: Home against Arizona next Sunday.

Cowboys: At Philadelphia next Sunday.

Cowboys emerge with win over Raiders -- barely

OAKLAND, Calif. -- When Dan Bailey kicked a tiebreaking 19-yard field goal with 1:44 left on Sunday, giving Dallas a 20-17 lead, the Cowboys knew they had more work to do against the Oakland Raiders.

It was that kind of crazy, back-and-forth game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, and it has been that kind of season for the Cowboys.

The Raiders quickly drove to the Dallas 8-yard line, taking advantage of a 55-yard pass-interference penalty. Then on third-and-3 from the 8, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr fumbled while diving for the right pylon and taking a hit from Cowboys safety Jeff Heath at the end of a scramble. The ball went into the end zone and out for a touchback.

Dallas took over with 31 seconds left and ran out the clock for a 20-17 victory.

"There was a lot of emotion in that game, and it happened fast," Cowboys tight end Jason Witten said. "We know where we're at. Our season is on the line as far as going to the playoffs. It's good to see us find a way to get the result that we did.

"Unbelievable play by Jeff Heath. There's something about this football team. Good to get lucky and see the football gods help you out a bit. I've certainly been on the other end of it over the course of my years."

The Cowboys (8-6) improved their slim hopes for an NFC wild-card playoff berth. They moved into a tie with the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks, a half-game behind the Atlanta Falcons (8-5) for the conference's second wild-card spot.

"We know where we are," Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said. "Our backs are against the wall. We got to win. That's what this team's about. We're excited."

Despite the loss, the Raiders (6-8) are still barely alive in AFC wild-card race.

"I left it all out there," Carr said of his diving attempt to score. "I'm just trying to win for my teammates. No excuse. I have to hold onto the ball. You know, the fight our team played with today, that was familiar. That looked like us."

One play before Carr's fumble, Heath made an acrobatic breakup of Carr's pass to wide receiver Michael Crabtree in the end zone.

Then on the decisive play, Heath helped knock the ball out of Carr's left hand a foot or so before the goal line.

"These games are won and lost on these kinds of drives," Heath said. "The key in a drive like that is to just stay calm, use your technique and see what happens. But you try not to be frantic."

Prescott completed 18 of 27 passes for 212 yards and no touchdowns with two interceptions. He carried six times for 32 yards and one score.

Carr completed 21 of 38 passes for 171 yards and two scores with no interceptions. Oakland cornerback Sean Smith had two interceptions.

"It was a gritty effort back and forth," Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said. "Really, really believed that we were going to pull it out and I'd be sitting up here with a big smile. But I'm proud of the guys, the way they fought."

On the winning drive, the Cowboys faced fourth-and-1 at their 39 with 5:09 left. Prescott got the first down by less than an inch on a 1-yard sneak.

Three plays later from the Oakland 45, Prescott hit Dez Bryant for 40 yards down the right sideline, giving the Cowboys first-and-goal from the 5, setting up Bailey's field goal.

The Raiders had 14 penalties for 105 yards, two of them nullifying touchdowns.

Cordarrelle Patterson's 100-yard kickoff return for an Oakland touchdown to open the second half was wiped away because of a holding call on Xavier Woodson-Luster. However, the Raiders drove 90 yards on 11 plays and cut Dallas' lead to 10-7 on Carr's 2-yard touchdown pass to Crabtree with 8:03 left in the third quarter.

On Dallas' ensuing drive, Smith made a diving interception along the sideline, got up and raced 22 yards for an apparent touchdown. After a video review, it was determined that Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley touched Smith while he was on the ground, nullifying the touchdown.

The Raiders settled for Giorgio Tavecchio's 39-yard field goal, making it 10-10 with 6:14 left in the third quarter.

Dallas moved back ahead 17-10 on Prescott's 5-yard touchdown run with 45 seconds left in the third quarter, capping a wild 11-play, 75-yard drive.

Punter Chris Jones ignited the scoring drive with a 24-yard run up the middle to the Dallas 48 on a fake punt.

Oakland pulled even at 17 on Carr's 2-yard touchdown pass to Crabtree with 10:35 left, capping a 10-play, 53-yard drive.

The Cowboys' opening drive of the game ended when Smith intercepted Prescott's pass in Oakland territory.

Dallas took a 3-0 lead on its next drive when Bailey kicked a 45-yard field goal with 4:56 left in the first quarter.

The Cowboys extended their lead to 10-0 on Rod Smith's 1-yard touchdown blast with 14:04 remaining in the first half.

The Raiders drove to the Cowboys' 11 late in the first half but came up empty. Carr's 11-yard touchdown pass to Jared Cook was nullified by an offensive pass-interference call on the tight end. Tavecchio missed a 39-yard field goal try on the final play of the half.

NOTES: Raiders RT Donald Penn left the game in the first quarter with a foot injury and did not return. ... Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott served the sixth and final game of his suspension for violating the NFL's personal-conduct policy. ... Raiders WR Amari Cooper (ankle) was inactive for the second time in the past three weeks. ... Cowboys starting CB Orlando Scandrick (back) and DT David Irving (concussion) were inactive. ... Raiders starting DE Mario Edwards (ankle) was inactive for the first time this season. ... Cowboys LT Tyron Smith sustained a knee injury in the third quarter and did not return.

Smith, Cowboys coast past Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Running back Rod Smith had an 81-yard touchdown reception and followed that with a 15-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter as the Dallas Cowboys manhandled the hapless New York Giants 30-10 on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Dak Prescott completed 20-of-30 passes for 332 yards and three touchdowns for the Cowboys (7-6).

Both teams exchanged field goals on their respective opening drives, with the Cowboys getting a 21-yarder from Dan Bailey and the Giants a 39-yarder from Aldrick Rosas.

The Cowboys had a chance to increase their lead, but Bailey's 53-yard field-goal attempt in the second quarter hit the right upright. It was Bailey's first missed attempt of the season and his first of two misses in this game.

The Giants (2-11), meanwhile, turned to their tight ends to help them break the 3-3 deadlock. Eli Manning, back under center after being benched last week for Geno Smith, connected with rookie Evan Engram for a 35-yard reception to the Cowboys' 21-yard line.

Fellow tight end Rhett Ellison finished off the successful drive with a 1-yard reception from Manning.

The Cowboys quickly answered by scoring on a four-play, 75-yard drive, which was capped by Prescott's 50-yard touchdown pass to Dez Bryant. The wideout was wide open after cornerback Brandon Dixon missed the tackle.

The Cowboys had another chance to break the tie and take the lead in the third quarter, but Bailey's second missed field-goal attempt, this one from 50 yards, sailed wide right.

The Cowboys finally broke the tie in the fourth quarter when Prescott connected with tight end Jason Witten on a 20-yard touchdown reception. On their ensuing drive, Prescott found Smith on an 81-yard touchdown to pad the Cowboys lead to 23-10, with Bailey missing the extra-point attempt.

"Rod just did a good job of beating his guy," said Prescott of Smith, who finished with five catches for 113 yards and 47 rushing yards on six carries.

"We know Rod's talent -- that's why we pushed him and have given him the ball so many times in the run game and the pass game and he's great. Check downs are going to get first downs, and in the run game he's been spectacular."

Added Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett: "He's just a good football player. He's taken advantage of his opportunities. Some of them short yardage or third down or at the end of the ball game. Certainly the touchdown was big -- the coverage they were playing dictated the ball would go there and he was ready for his chance and certainly took advantage of it."

Prescott, whose Cowboys have outscored opponents 111-95 in the fourth quarter, said the key was to keep their composure when things weren't clicking early on.

"We were feeling ourselves and staying with it and staying within the game and not getting overwhelmed that we weren't doing things well early," he said.

The Giants' defense, which had held firm through three quarters of the game, had no answers for the Cowboys in the fourth quarter.

In the game's final 15 minutes, Prescott completed 4-of-6 pass attempts for 158 of his 332 passing yards and two of his three touchdowns.

"For some reason we're still looking for answers to the fourth quarter," Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie said as he shook his head.

Said Giants interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo, "We do have to figure out a way in the fourth quarter when it gets down to gut wrenching time to make a play or two.

"Now I'm going to put a little bit of that on me -- I didn't like a couple of the calls I had in the fourth quarter that resulted in bad plays for us defensively. I don't want that to all be on the players."

Spagnuolo took over for the ousted Ben McAdoo last week and retained the defensive play-calling duties. He declined to mention which plays he would like to have back.

The Giants' offense didn't exactly help itself either in the second half. Three of Manning's 28 pass attempts in the game's final 30 minutes were dropped by his intended targets: wide receivers Roger Lewis and Sterling Shepard, and tight end Evan Engram. Those three dropped balls cost the Giants easy first-down conversions.

True to form, Manning chose to look at the glass as being half full.

"Obviously, I know those guys," Manning said. "I have a lot of respect for our receivers -- they work hard, they practice hard and they do everything we ask them to do. I understand drops are part of the game. They run the right routes and are in the right spot. I have confidence they'll make the next one and a couple of them made some outstanding plays for us today."

Smith, relieving starting running back Alfred Morris, recorded his 15-yard touchdown run to cap a three-play, 21-yard drive that took just 18 seconds.

NOTES: With the win, Dallas swept the season series with the Giants for the 21st time (the most against any opponent) and for the first time since the 2014 season. The win also snapped a two-game losing streak in games played on the Giants' home turf and improves the Cowboys' overall record this season to 4-1 against NFC East opponents. ... Giants TE Evan Engram's 35-yard reception extended his streak to eight games with at least one catch. ... Cowboys WR Cole Beasley's 54-yard fourth-quarter reception is a career long. ... Giants S Landon Collins suffered a left ankle injury in the fourth quarter. ... The Cowboys became the 12th NFL franchise to reach 500 wins in its history. The Cowboys reached that plateau in the second-fewest games played (879) behind only the Chicago Bears (863). ... The Cowboys visit the Oakland Raiders next Sunday night, while the Giants host the Philadelphia Eagles.

Hand it to Dak: Cowboys sans Elliott top Redskins 38-14

By SCHUYLER DIXON
Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Dak Prescott was getting X-rays on his swollen right hand when rookie Ryan Switzer scored his first career touchdown on an 83-yard punt return.

The extra time with the Dallas offense on the sideline kept Prescott from missing any plays, and last year's NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year led the Cowboys to their first win after three straight losses without suspended star running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Prescott threw two touchdown passes, including a franchise record-breaker to Dez Bryant , in the Cowboys' 38-14 victory over the Washington Redskins on Thursday night.

The injury happened in the second quarter when Prescott's right hand was hit by linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons just as he made an option pitch to Rod Smith. Thanks to Switzer's dash to the end zone, Prescott didn't miss a snap. He said the X-rays came back negative.

"I don't know if I've ever broken my hand," Prescott said. "I couldn't grip initially right after because the (hand) swelled up on me so bad. As I said, they wrapped it up, got the swelling down and I was fine."

Bryant's leaping 13-yard catch in the end zone was the 2014 All-Pro's first score in six games and 72nd of his career, one more than Hall of Famer Bob Hayes.

The Cowboys (6-6) never trailed despite a sluggish start to the offense, thanks to three first-half turnovers and four overall by the Redskins (5-7). Dallas kept it going after halftime with a 21-7 scoring edge after getting outscored 72-6 in the second half during the three-game skid.

Alfred Morris, Elliott's replacement during the six-game suspension for alleged domestic violence, had 127 yards rushing and a clinching touchdown.

The Cowboys forced NFL-leading Philadelphia to wait until at least Sunday to clinch the division title. But Dallas still faces a steep climb to playoff contention, and two more games without Elliott.

The Redskins had already been eliminated in the division race and are virtually out of the postseason picture after Kirk Cousins threw two interceptions and lost a fumble while throwing two touchdown passes.

Jamison Crowder let the pass go through his hands on Cousins' first interception and fumbled on a Dallas punt a few plays later in the Redskins' fourth straight loss to the Cowboys, the longest such streak in the series since 2003-04.

"It was just miscues," Cousins said. "A dropped ball here, we had a nice drive down the field the second drive, just a tough turnover, and then it was one thing after another that were just mistakes. They happen, and we have to correct them."

By the time the Redskins answered Switzer's punt return with a 75-yard drive that ended with Cousins' 20-yard scoring pass to Ryan Grant , Prescott was ready to return. He had been holding his right hand in his helmet once he returned to the sideline.

Rookie backup Cooper Rush had his helmet on when the Redskins punted.

"If we didn't have the return by Switz, Cooper Rush would have got in the ballgame at that point," coach Jason Garrett said. "We got the return, Dak was able to come back out."

Prescott only threw for 102 yards but didn't have a turnover after throwing five interceptions and losing three fumbles without a touchdown pass during the losing streak.

And the Cowboys looked more like the offense they have when Elliott is around, with Morris picking up big yardage on clock-killing drives with the Cowboys in front.

Cousins moved the Washington offense sporadically because he was consistently harassed behind a patchwork offensive line that had to shuffle some more because of injuries. Cousins, who was 26 of 37 for 251 yards, was replaced by Colt McCoy late in the fourth quarter.

SACKS ARE BACK

DeMarcus Lawrence, the NFL sacks leader most of the first half of the season, had two of Dallas' four sacks, ending a two-game drought for the entire team and extending his career high to 13 1/2. Cousins was hit hard by David Irving on a sack in the fourth quarter.

BRYANT'S IMPACT

Bryant still hasn't had a 100-yard game, his longest drought to start a season since his second year in 2011. But the 61-yard effort included a 24-yarder that set up his record-setting TD on the first play of the fourth quarter. "I was talking about that demeanor and that attitude that we carried," Prescott said. "I give him credit. He kind of brought it this week and pretty much tonight and you kind of felt it early."

MORE OL SHUFFLING

Redskins right tackle Morgan Moses didn't return after injuring an ankle in the first half, forcing Ty Nsekhe to that spot after he was a fill-in starter at left guard on a patchwork line that's been dealing with injuries all season.

Left tackle Trent Williams left the field briefly in the third quarter. He's been inactive three of the past six games because a knee injury that will require surgery. Washington was already missing center Chase Roullier because of a hand injury.

UP NEXT

Redskins: At Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 10.

Cowboys: At New York Giants on Dec. 10 to start a season-ending stretch of three of four on the road.

Rivers, Chargers beat fading Cowboys 28-6 on Thanksgiving

By SCHUYLER DIXON
Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Philip Rivers was more than comfortable on the Thanksgiving stage for the first time in his 14 NFL seasons.

Same with Keenan Allen, who didn't have to wait nearly that long.

Rivers threw for 434 yards and three touchdowns, Allen had a career-high 172 yards in his second straight huge game and the Los Angeles Chargers beat the fading Dallas Cowboys 28-6 on Thursday.

Desmond King returned an interception 90 yards for the punctuating touchdown. The Chargers (5-6) moved within 1 1/2 games of AFC West-leading Kansas City after starting 0-4 while the Chiefs won their first five.

"Playing on Thanksgiving was everything it was cranked up to be," said Rivers, who was 27 of 33 in his ninth career 400-yard game . "As a quarterback, you want to play well and throw it to your guys, and we did a lot today. But I'm more excited about our team."

The defending NFC East champion Cowboys (5-6) have lost three straight games by at least 20 points for the first time since 2004, all without suspended star running back Ezekiel Elliott in a damaging slide for their fading playoff hopes.

Dallas, playing its 50th Thanksgiving game, finally ended a touchdown drought at a team-record 10 quarters on Rod Smith's 2-yard run early in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys have been outscored 72-6 in the second half of the three losses.

Quarterback Dak Prescott has looked lost without Elliott, his backfield mate for a pair of remarkable rookie seasons that led the Cowboys to the best record in the NFC last season. Prescott had two interceptions, giving him five in two games after throwing just four a year ago.

Last year's NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year has nine picks for the season and the Cowboys already have twice as many losses as a year ago with Elliott only halfway through a six-game suspension for alleged domestic violence.

"The last thing I'm doing is pointing a finger and saying, 'We need this guy, we need that to happen,'" said Prescott, who was 20 of 27 for 179 yards in his third straight game without a TD pass. "I'm going to say we've just got to figure out what's going on and get out of this slump."

Rivers had seven completions of at least 22 yards, including Allen's 42-yard catch-and-run when he weaved through five defenders for a 22-6 lead.

Allen, in his fifth season, has two of his three biggest yardage games in the past two weeks. He had 11 catches and a score after 12 grabs for 159 yards and two TDs in a 54-24 win over Buffalo.

"When I first got here, he was a little heavy," first-year coach Anthony Lynn said. "I think once he got his weight down, you could see the run after catch, the quickness, all those things you see in a No. 1 receiver."

LA, with 500-plus total yards (515) for the first time in two years, overcame the loss of kicker Nick Novak to a back injury, the second straight game that Dallas' opposing kicker was injured and in the same game that Dallas' Dan Bailey returned after missing four games with a groin injury.

Just like last week in the Cowboys' blowout loss to division-leading Philadelphia, neither of the kickers mattered much with the Dallas offense sputtering and the defense not getting key stops.

Novak returned to make a 22-yard field goal after the injury, but left for good after missing an extra point . Punter Drew Kaser was 1 of 3 on extra points. The Chargers went for a fourth-and-13 in field goal range in a scoreless game early in the second quarter with Novak's status in doubt, coming up a yard short.

Four-time Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith returned for Dallas after missing two games with back and groin injuries, but the Cowboys lost 2014 All-Pro right guard Zack Martin to a concussion in the first half.

Austin Ekeler had a 38-yard catch to set up San Diego's first touchdown in the third quarter, and Tyrell Williams added a 31-yard grab before making a 27-yard scoring catch.

THANKSGIVING STREAK

LA has a Thanksgiving winning streak in Texas, because the Chargers' previous holiday showing was a 21-17 AFL win at Houston in 1969, the year before the merger. It was the longest gap (48 years) for a team between Thanksgiving games in NFL history.

WITTEN RECORD

Dallas tight end Jason Witten, already the Thanksgiving record-holder in catches, passed Detroit's Herman Moore for the most yards on the holiday. Witten now has 80 catches for 853 yards.

ANTHEM UPDATE

Chargers LT Russell Okung was the only player from either team with a display during the national anthem, raising his fist while he was a step behind teammates lined up on the sideline.

UP NEXT

Chargers: Browns on Dec. 3 in first of two straight home games.

Cowboys: Redskins next Thursday in last of three straight home games.

Wentz, Eagles roll over Cowboys 37-9 after losing kicker

By SCHUYLER DIXON
Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — No kicker, no problem for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Carson Wentz threw for two touchdowns and three 2-point conversions after Philadelphia lost kicker Jake Elliott to a head injury, and the Eagles all but wrapped up the NFC East with a 37-9 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.

The Eagles (9-1) outscored the Cowboys 30-0 in the second half while extending their winning streak to eight games, their longest since 2003-04 and tied with New Orleans for the best current run in the NFL.

Philadelphia leads the second-place and defending division champion Cowboys (5-5) by four games with six to play after handing Dallas its worst home loss at 8-year-old AT&T Stadium.

Dallas' Dak Prescott threw a career-high three interceptions and lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown in his second straight loss without star running back Ezekiel Elliott, serving a six-game suspension for alleged domestic violence.

Jake Elliott's injury wasn't a factor for nearly a half because the NFL-leading Eagles couldn't get in scoring position. They failed to get a first down on five straight first-half drives, starting with one at the Dallas 15 when Elliott missed a 34-yard attempt and soon after left the field.

Trailing 9-7 at halftime, Wentz led the Eagles on scoring drives of 75, 90 and 85 yards, the middle one boosted by Jay Ajayi's 71-yard run against his hometown team in his second game since getting traded by Miami.

"The biggest thing was sticking with the game plan," said Wentz, who is up to 25 touchdown passes with just five interceptions. "The big boys up front kind of came out angry. We ran the ball the second half really effectively."

Ajayi had 91 yards on seven carries and LeGarrette Blount added 57 on 13 carries, including a 30-yarder leading to the last offensive touchdown.

Eagles coach Doug Pederson declared at halftime that he would go for every fourth down and try 2-point conversions after every touchdown.

It came into play right away when Corey Clement scored on an 11-yard run to open the second half and ran in a screen pass behind three blockers for the 2-pointer.

The first fourth-down try was Wentz's 17-yard touchdown pass to Alshon Jeffery for a 29-9 lead. That 2-point pass failed. Torrey Smith had the other TD catch, an 11-yarder.

After Derek Barnett hit Prescott's leg and arm as he was throwing, Nigel Bradham picked up the loose ball and ran it 37 yards for a touchdown. Wentz's 2-point pass to Trey Burton provided the final margin.

"We got some nice 2-point conversions," said Wentz, who was 14 of 27 for 168 yards. "Now we've got to go back to the drawing board with our 2-point plays."

The Cowboys appeared to have fixed the problems of missing injured left tackle Tyron Smith and 2016 All-Pro linebacker Sean Lee from a week earlier, when they allowed eight sacks of Prescott along with three Atlanta scoring drives following Lee's injury in a 27-7 loss to the Falcons.

But after protecting Prescott fairly well before halftime, Dallas allowed three sacks and 180 of Philadelphia's season-high 215 yards rushing in the second half. Lee's replacement at weakside linebacker, Anthony Hitchens, left with a groin injury after halftime.

Prescott was 18 of 31 for 145 yards for a career-worst 30.4 passer rating before backup Cooper Rush took mop-up duty.

"It's no excuses," said Prescott, who teamed with Elliott in a remarkable rookie season that is now a distant memory with already two more losses and three more interceptions than Prescott had a year ago. Elliott won't be back until the final two games of the regular season.

"We're not saying injuries or any of that's bothering us. We're not saying it's the reason we're not winning is because of those guys."

NO RUST THIS TIME

The Eagles had a focus on being better following the bye after losing nine of 11 last season after a 3-0 start going into the break. Now Philadelphia will take a shot at the best record in the NFL with history on its side when starting this strong. The Eagles have two NFL championships (1949, 1960) and two trips to the Super Bowl (1980, 2004, both losses) following 9-1 starts.

SECOND-HALF MELTDOWNS

The Cowboys have been outscored 47-0 in the second half the past two weeks following a three-game winning streak that seemed to have Dallas back on track following an NFC-best 13-3 record last season.

"It would be pretty tough not to panic, but I don't think we are panicking," said running back Alfred Morris, who had 91 yards filling in for Ezekiel Elliott. "It's been two tough losses, ugly losses on top of that. But at the same time, I know the character of this team and the fight we have."

EMERGENCY KICKER

Linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill is the emergency kicker for the Eagles. But he completely missed the safety net on a practice try on the sidelines, sending the ball into the stands. He did reach the goal line with his first kickoff, though.

UP NEXT

Eagles: Home against Chicago next Sunday.

Cowboys: Los Angeles Chargers visiting for annual Thanksgiving game.

___

Corrects previous versions with Philadelphia kicker Jake Elliott, not Luke Elliott.

Elliott, Cowboys top improbable Hill TD to beat Chiefs 28-17

By SCHUYLER DIXON
Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys figured they were headed to halftime with a comfortable lead after his touchdown run before a what-just-happened score from Kansas City's Tyreek Hill, who surely will be on the short list for the play of the year in the NFL.

Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones wasn't even watching.

"I was eating my hot dog," Jones said. "Seriously, it was the kind of thing, we all know the momentum is the best thing you can do to be in the ballgame. This team had every right, every reason to get down. They did not. That's the thing I'm proud of today."

Dallas overcame Hill's weaving 56-yard score with the clock expired going into halftime, with Ezekiel Elliott scoring the go-ahead touchdown after another reprieve from his six-game suspension in the Cowboys' 28-17 victory over the Chiefs on Sunday.

Elliott's 2-yard plunge in the third quarter came after the Chiefs turned a 14-3 deficit into a 17-14 advantage, sparked by Hill's stunning catch and run through seven Dallas defenders inside their 25 trying to prevent the score.

"You've got to put that play behind you and move forward," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "Sometimes easier said than done. We felt like we gave them one."

Last year's NFL rushing champion as a rookie, Elliott had 93 yards, ending a streak of three straight 100-yard games but outgaining Kareem Hunt, this year's rushing leader in his first season entering the game.

Hunt matched a season low with nine carries, finishing with 37 yards as a club record-tying nine-game road winning streak ended for the Chiefs (6-3) in their third loss in four games since a 5-0 start.

Elliott got an emergency stay from a New York court Friday, stopping the suspension over alleged domestic violence for the third time. Another court hearing could be held this week.

With former quarterback Tony Romo calling his first Dallas game as lead analyst for CBS, Prescott had two touchdown passes to Cole Beasley and along with his fourth rushing TD this season in a third straight win for the Cowboys (5-3).

Terrance Williams had a career-high nine catches for 141 yards, including a 56-yarder from a scrambling Prescott to set up Prescott's 10-yard TD run with 13 seconds left in the first half.

Trailing 14-3, the Chiefs were at their 44 with 2 seconds left when the Cowboys used three linemen and a linebacker near the line of scrimmage and dropped everyone else back.

Hill caught an easy toss from Alex Smith at the Cowboys 42 and started toward the goal line with three blockers in front.

The speedy Hill motored around Orlando Scandrick at the 25, cut behind two blocks from Demarcus Robinson inside the 10 and sidestepped overpursuing linebacker Anthony Hitchens to finish the stunning TD.

Remarkably, it appeared Hill was untouched all the way, with only safety Xavier Woods getting close with an outstretched left arm. Fellow safety Byron Jones ripped off his helmet in frustration as Hill crossed the goal line.

"I knew it was going to be trouble," said running back Charcandrick West, who was on the field for the play. "The kid is something special. His Twitter name and Instagram is cheetah. That's what he is."

The Chiefs got the ball to start the second half with great field position after Byron Jones was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after Hill's score. Kansas City went in front on Travis Kelce's 2-yard scoring catch, which sparked a sack-race celebration with Hill and Robinson.

The Cowboys answered with drives of 75 and 87 yards that took more than 12 minutes combined. Beasley capped the latter with a 7-yard TD after a 6-yarder in the first half.

Prescott was 21 of 33 for 249 yards, with Beasley getting 24 yards receiving after spending part of the week in the concussion protocol. Dez Bryant had 73 yards.

FIRST PICK OF SEASON

Down by 11 for the second time, Kansas City's realistic hopes ended on Smith's first interception of the season on a fourth-down throw. It ended a streak of 293 passes without a pick for Smith, who was 25 of 34 for 263 yards and two TDs.

'WELCOME HOME 9'

On the Cowboys' video tribute to Romo, there was an inset shot of Romo watching the highlight tape as the crowd cheered, and he responded by applauding toward them as the video ended. When the giant board switched to a full shot of Romo, he shook his head briefly as if touched by the gesture as he was putting on his headset.

The franchise leader in passing yards and touchdowns lost the job last season when Prescott replaced him after a back injury and led the Cowboys to a club-record 11 straight wins. Romo took the CBS job rather than chase an elusive Super Bowl with another franchise.

BIG-PLAY HILL

Hill's TD was his ninth of at least 50 yards, leaving him one behind Hall of Famer Gale Sayers for the most such touchdowns in a player's first 25 games.

INJURIES

Chiefs: Defensive lineman Allen Bailey left in the third quarter and has a sprained knee ligament.

Cowboys: Bryant left with a sprained ankle in the third quarter, and defensive tackle Brian Price was helped off the field after a knee injury in the fourth quarter.

UP NEXT

Chiefs: Bye next week, at New York Giants on Nov. 19.

Cowboys: At Atlanta, with the defending NFC champs having lost four of their past five.

Elliott's 3 TDs, 219 yards lead Cowboys past 49ers 40-10

By JOSH DUBOW
Associated Press

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Ezekiel Elliott made the most of his legal reprieve, taking advantage of a legal ruling that put his suspension on hold and responding with the most productive game of his career.

Elliott gained 219 yards from scrimmage and tied a career high with three touchdowns just days after winning in court and the Dallas Cowboys beat the winless San Francisco 49ers 40-10 on Sunday.

"I put that aside when I get with these guys," Elliott said. "These guys do a good job of giving me something else to think about, keeping me up no matter what's going on out there. I'm just happy to be out here and be able to play with them and go and get another win."

Elliott was granted his second temporary restraining order Tuesday, putting his six-game suspension over domestic violence allegations on hold and then gave the Cowboys (3-3) a big boost on the field.

Elliott matched his season total of rushing touchdowns with two in the first quarter and then took a short pass from Dak Prescott 72 yards for another touchdownon Dallas' first possession of the second half to put the 49ers (0-7) away. Elliott ran for 147 yards on 26 carries to go with the big catch, setting a career high in scrimmage yards in a game.

"He went out there and just played the game," Prescott said. "He put everything behind him and stayed within himself, stayed within the game, stayed within each and every play and did what he does best."

That performance spoiled the starting debut of rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard , who was sacked five times, lost two fumbles and failed to lead the 49ers into the end zone until he scored on a run with the game out of hand in the fourth quarter.

Beathard finished 22 for 37 for 235 yards, but his fumble on a sack by DeMarcus Lawrence late in the first half ended a promising drive that went down to the 5.

"They brought a lot of pressure, which we hadn't seen them do much of," Beathard said. "I guess when you're a rookie, they try to see what you know and put you on your heels a little bit."

The 49ers, the first team ever to lose five straight games by three or fewer points , were never really close against the Cowboys.

MOMENTUM TURNER: The 49ers got off to a good start when they forced a three-and-out on the opening possession. But Trent Taylor fumbled the punt return , setting up Dallas at the 20. Elliott ran three straight times and scored his first TD of the gamefrom 1-yard out.

INJURED KICKER: The Cowboys lost kicker Dan Bailey to a right groin injury in the first half, forcing coach Jason Garrett to scramble a bit. Dallas went for the 2-point conversion following their first TD after Bailey's injury and couldn't convert. Safety Jeff Heath then made two of three extra points in the second half and performed well on kickoff duties in his first game kicking since high school. Heath is the first non-kicker or punter to make multiple extra points in a game since former Houston linebacker and current Packers GM Ted Thompson made four in 1980.

"I saw Morten Andersen go into the Hall of Fame in Canton. I don't know if he has anything on Jeff Heath," Cowboys tight end Jason Witten said. "The guy is a really special athlete. Those are big kicks. Guys were having a lot of fun with it, too."

BIG CATCHES: While Elliott delivered most of the big plays for Dallas, Witten added animpressive catch of his own in the second quarter. He pulled in Prescott's 18-yard pass to the end zone with one hand to put the Cowboys up 20-3. Dez Bryant then delivered a big TD catch of his own in the fourth quarter, tying Bob Hayes' franchise record with the 71st in his career.

HALFTIME TRIBUTE: Former San Francisco 49ers great Dwight Clark addressed the crowd in an emotional halftime ceremony. Clark announced earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.

The team brought in about 30 of Clark's former teammates, all wearing No. 87 jerseys, to honor him for his famous "Catch" that beat Dallas in the 1981 NFC title game and launched the 49ers dynasty.

Clark spoke haltingly to the crowd while describing the one wish he had for this day.

"I just want to see my teammates. And the 49ers heard that and flew all these players in so I could see them one more time," Clark said.

INJURIES

The 49ers lost RT Trent Brown to a concussion and LB Reuben Foster to a rib injury.

UP NEXT

Cowboys: Visit Washington on Sunday.

49ers: Visit Philadelphia on Sunday.

Gurley, Rams continue strong start, rally past Cowboys 35-30

By SCHUYLER DIXON
Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Todd Gurley can help make Jared Goff's second go-round in the NFL much more enjoyable than the first.

What better way for the Los Angeles Rams running back to show it than to lead a win over last year's dynamic rookie duo of Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott and 2016 NFL rushing leader Ezekiel Elliott?

Gurley scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 53-yard catch-and-run while generating 215 total yards, Greg Zuerlein kicked a career-high seven field goals and the Rams beat the Cowboys 35-30 on Sunday.

Gurley finished with 121 yards rushing and 94 receiving as the Rams overcame two first-half touchdowns from Elliott the day before a federal appeals court hearing related to the star running back's blocked six-game suspension over a domestic incident in Ohio.

"Me being able to step up takes a lot of stress off everybody, and we obviously have a lot of guys that can do a lot of things, just being able to have diversity on offense," Gurley said.

The Rams (3-1) rallied from 11 points down late in the first half and matched their start from a year ago, when they went 1-11 the rest of the way as Goff, the No. 1 overall pick, was sitting and later lost the first seven starts of his career.

Goff showed more poise in first-year coach Sean McVay's offense, throwing for 255 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He has seven TD passes and one interception this season.

The Cowboys (2-2) are already a loss shy of their total from last season when Prescott, the 135th pick in Goff's draft, was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year for the top-seeded team in the NFC.

And Prescott is already one interception away from last year's total of four after a play that was originally ruled a fumble was changed to a diving pick by linebacker Mark Barron at the Dallas 29. Zuerlein's sixth field gave the Rams 19 straight points and a 32-24 lead.

"We're not going to lose confidence," Prescott said. "We feel like we're getting better. Even in a loss, we're going to find a way to get better."

Dallas held the Rams to 131 yards in the first half, but the absence of All-Pro linebacker Sean Lee (hamstring) showed up after halftime. After punting on their first possession of the second half, the Rams scored five straight times, including Gurley's long TD catch.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, punted on their first three possessions of the second half after scoring on all four first-half drives. Prescott's interception came on the fourth possession after halftime against a defense led by former Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips.

"Just had little corrections we had to fix here and there," said All-Pro Aaron Donald, who had Prescott wrapped for a sack in the first half before losing his grip as Prescott ducked and spun away on an 18-yard throw to Dez Bryant. "Once we did that we were solid."

Prescott was 20 of 36 for 252 yards with three touchdowns, including a 10-yarder to Elliott. Bryant had five catches for a season-high 98 yards.

MINI-ME, MINI-ME TWO

Gurley had 30 touches: 23 carries and a team-high seven catches. Receiver Tavon Austin had six carries for 48 yards and at one point had 40 yards rushing to Gurley's 41. "Tavon, I guess he's the mini-running back now and I'm the mini-receiver," Gurley said.

SUB-100 AGAIN

Elliott had 85 yards on 21 carries for his third straight sub-100-yard game, matching the longest such streak from last season. Backup Alfred Morris had the longest Dallas run of the season and longest of his career, a 70-yarder to set up Elliott's second TD. The 1-yard plunge came after a review overturned a touchdown. Both times, Elliott took the ball to his mom in a field-level suite behind the end zone. Morris had 76 yards.

TRY, TRY AGAIN

Terrance Williams dropped a potential tying 2-point conversion pass on the third try midway through the fourth quarter after Prescott's 28-yard scoring toss to James Hanna got Dallas within 32-30. Center Travis Frederick was called for holding when Prescott ran in the first attempt. Dallas got another shot after a defensive holding call.

CAREER DAY

Zuerlein said he never before had more than five field goals in a game at any level. The sixth-year pro had five in a 22-7 win over Denver in November 2014. He had a 44-yarder on the final play of the first half, and the long was from 49.

UP NEXT:

Rams: Will be in first place for first meeting next Sunday with Seattle, winner of three NFC West titles in the past four seasons.

Cowboys: Green Bay returns to Arlington next Sunday after beating the top-seeded Cowboys on their home field in a divisional playoff last January.

___

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Giants open against Cowboys for third straight year

Stats, LLC

(TSX / STATS) -- In what is becoming a rite of September, the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys will face each other at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday night to open the season for the third straight year.

They split the previous two season openers, but it's difficult to put a value on how much winning the clash means. In 2015, the Cowboys won, but neither team went on to make the playoffs. Last season, the Giants won, then the Cowboys didn't lose again until December, when the Giants completed the season sweep with a home victory. No matter, Dallas still won the NFC East.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott both started as rookies for Dallas a year ago. They made their presence felt as Prescott passed for 3,667 yards and 23 touchdowns and Elliott led the NFL with 1,631 rushing yards.

But now the usual hype that surrounds training camp has been buried under a mountain of Elliott news as he and the NFL Players Association have battled the league in court over a six-game suspension. Elliott was suspended for violating the league's personal-conduct policy in relation to a domestic violence case.

The Elliott saga continued Tuesday as the NFL's arbitrator upheld the suspension. But Elliott will be allowed to play against the Giants on Sunday night because he filed a temporary restraining order against the league; the deadline for that decision is 6 p.m. ET Friday.

The NFL will allow Elliott to play Sunday and, theoretically, serve his suspension from Week 2 to Week 7. That would avoid giving either team a competitive advantage in Sunday night's Cowboys-Giants game.

"(Elliott) seems very focused, locked in on meetings, the walk-through," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett told the media on Wednesday. "We'll have a good practice today. He's done an excellent job in his preparation."

In New York, there are questions about whether the Giants' brightest star, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., will play. Beckham has been spotted riding a stationary bike and jogging, though not participating in full practices, this week. He injured his left ankle in a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns on Aug. 21.

On Wednesday, Beckham said there's a chance he'll play vs. the Cowboys, despite the fact that the Giants officially listed him as "did not practice."

"I wouldn't count it out," Beckham said. "My heart's just not gonna make this easy."

Even if Beckham doesn't play, Giants quarterback Eli Manning has plenty of weapons to use against the Dallas defense. New York added wide receiver Brandon Marshall and drafted tight end Evan Engram, boosting an offense that averaged 330 yards per game last season.

While the Giants have been coy about Beckham's status, coach Ben McAdoo struck a bold note as he emphasized his team's need to stop the Cowboys on the ground.

"All backs run the same when there's nowhere to run," McAdoo said, referring to the Cowboys' evolving situation at running back.

If anyone in the league can tough-talk a Cowboys team that averaged 376 yards per game last season, it's the Giants. New York held Dallas to 260 yards in defeating the Cowboys 10-7 in December. Furthermore, Cowboys star receiver Dez Bryant caught just two passes for 18 yards in two games against the Giants in 2016.

The Giants' secondary's success against Bryant has been a talking point this offseason. The Cowboys' receiver traded barbs with Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins on Twitter, adding intrigue to Sunday night's rematch.

All of it should make for a good show. But if the last two seasons have taught us anything, it's that the opening act can be deceiving.

Texans-Cowboys game canceled in wake of hurricane disaster

Thursday night's preseason game between the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium was canceled by the NFL on Wednesday to allow Texans players to return home to be reunited with their families after the catastrophic flooding in Houston.

The decision comes days after the game was moved from Houston's NRG Stadium to the Cowboys' stadium Arlington because of the massive flooding in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

The cancellation gives Texans players the opportunity to return to Houston sometime Wednesday.

"The Houston Texans have made the decision to travel back to Houston after local authorities have now found a safe route for the team to drive home today," the Texans said in a statement. "The fourth preseason game scheduled for Thursday night in Dallas will be canceled. At this time, the priority of our organization is getting our players, coaches and staff back home to be reunited with their families, many of whom have been evacuated from their homes and are currently sheltered. The team feels it is imperative to get back home to help the Houston community recover from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey."

Texans general manager Rick Smith later said the Week 1 game on Sept. 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars will be played as scheduled at NRG Stadium.

"Nothing has to happen. The game is at NRG. It's scheduled to be played in NRG, so it will be played in NRG," Smith said.

Smith said there were shouts of joy when he told the players the game was canceled and they were heading home, according to ESPN.

"I've been increasingly impressed with them as we've dealt with all the things we've had to deal with over the last couple of days," Smith said. "And the way they have been resilient, and the way they have maintained their focus during practice and being pros. But it was a shout of joy when we announced we were going home. I think everyone wants to get there."

Defensive end J.J. Watt described it as "subdued joy, because we're obviously extremely sensitive to the situation. But I think guys just want to see their wives, guys just want to see their kids, guys want to see their families. So it's going to be a very nice thing just to get back and be able to embrace their families and everybody can see that each other is safe. And then we can start that rebuilding process."

Smith said canceling the last preseason game was the "right thing to do" so the players and coaches can return to their families in Houston.

"We didn't have the option until today to get the team home safely," Smith told reporters outside the team's hotel, via the Houston Chronicle. "We have so many players distracted by what's been happening in Houston that it became increasingly difficult to ask them to play the game."

Hurricane Harvey hit Texas hard with some areas of Houston getting a record-setting 51 inches of rain. At least 10,000 people have been rescued from their homes with the death toll climbing to at least 30.

An estimated 30,000 to 40,000 homes have been destroyed in the Houston area as Hurricane Harvey, now a tropical storm, continues to batter the Gulf Coast with torrential rains and flooding.

The Texans have been in the Dallas area since early Sunday morning after flying directly from their preseason game in New Orleans on Saturday night. The team has been practicing this week at the Cowboys' facility in Frisco, Texas.

Tickets for the relocated game went on sale Tuesday night and more than 40,000 were sold with the proceeds going to the hurricane relief fund. The Dallas Morning News reported that fans who bought tickets can receive a refund or choose to have the money used as a donation to relief efforts.

"I think it's the right decision," Watt told reporters of the decision to cancel the game. "Everybody here is obviously most concerned about their families, their friends, the City of Houston back home. So I think it's extremely important that we get home as quickly as we possibly can. I know we're all very excited to get there and see our people, but also start helping."

Watt launched an online fundraising page Sunday by donating $100,000 out of his own pocket with an initial goal of raising $200,000 to raise money for flood relief in Houston. The online fundraiser passed $6 million on Wednesday afternoon.

"I've upped the goal to $10 million because, as you know, everything's bigger in Texas," Watt said. "The goal is to bring in the trucks, load them up and start delivering supplies with some of my teammates, hopefully, Sunday. It's not just the Houston area. We're going to Rockport and Victoria and others areas, too."

The Texans and team owner Bob McNair donated $1 million earlier this week to the United Way of Greater Houston's flood relief fund.

"Robert, Janice, Cal and Hannah McNair will make a donation equal to the money that would have been generated from ticket sales from Thursday's preseason game in Arlington to recovery and relief efforts," the Texans said in their statement Wednesday. "Fans that have purchased tickets to Thursday's game will have the option to donate the money to relief efforts or request a refund through Ticketmaster. Further details regarding refunds will be announced later.

"The Houston Texans sincerely appreciate the support shown by the Dallas Cowboys and our NFL family during this difficult time."

Henderson appointed to hear Elliott's appeal

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell appointed Harold Henderson to hear Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott's appeal, the league announced Wednesday.

The hearing is scheduled to take place on Aug. 29, according to NFL Network, which first reported Henderson would be the arbiter for Elliott's appeal hearing and confirmed by ESPN.

The NFL Players Association on Tuesday officially appealed the six-game suspension handed down to Elliott, who was suspended by the league on Friday following a 13-month investigation for violating the league's personal conduct policy after multiple domestic violence incidents.

Henderson has been an appeals officer since 2008. He was the arbiter for the appeal hearings of former Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy and then-Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. Henderson reduced Hardy's suspension for alleged domestic violence from 10 games to four in 2015 and upheld Peterson's indefinite suspension for child abuse in 2014.

Elliott's former girlfriend, Tiffany Thompson, accused him of domestic violence in Columbus, Ohio. Elliott, who was not arrested or charged in the case, has maintained his innocence all along.

The 22-year-old Elliott's appeal will focus on testimony given by Thompson to the NFL, according to documents obtained by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He is not required to be in attendance at the hearing, and can be involved through a conference call or teleconference.

According to the documents, Elliott will argue that Thompson made multiple threats to "ruin his career" and that text messages from Thompson encouraged a friend to lie to police about an alleged domestic assault in July 2016.

The NFL said in a statement Wednesday that it would be a "shameful" tactic to try to prove a defendant's innocence by discrediting an accuser.

"Over the past few days we've received multiple reports of the NFLPA spreading derogatory information to the media about the victim in Ezekiel Elliott discipline case," Joe Lockhart, the NFL's executive vice president of communications, said in a statement. "It's a common tactic to attempt to prove the innocence of the accused by discrediting the victim -- in this case Ms. Thompson -- when coming forward to report such abuse.

"Common or not, these tactics are shameful. Efforts to shame and blame victims are often what prevent people from coming forward to report violence and/or seek help in the first place."

The Columbus (Ohio) City Attorney's Office announced last September it would not pursue charges against Elliott because of "conflicting and inconsistent information."

Reporters asked Cowboys owner Jerry Jones about Elliott's suspension pending appeal following Tuesday's practice.

"I don't have anything to say about the appeal or anything about that issue today," Jones said, meeting with the media for the first time since the NFL's announcement. "But certainly I'll be visiting with you guys in the future, but right now today is just not the time for me to talk about it. I just really want to have my feet on the ground about it and just have it extremely well planned and thought out."

Jones, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 5, refused to comment on his emotions about Elliott's suspension.

"Certainly we have the interest in our team and the interest in Zeke in it's right place," Jones told reporters Tuesday. "That's all I've got to say, but I'm best (not) to comment on this thing when I have all of our thoughts and plans in place."

The suspension is scheduled to begin Sept. 2 and Elliott is eligible to return to the Cowboys' roster on Oct. 23, one day after the team's Week 7 road game against the San Francisco 49ers.

As a result of the suspension, the guarantees in the four-year, $24.956 million deal Elliott signed with Dallas in 2016 will be voided, according to ESPN. He reportedly will forfeit $559,192 in 2017 salary.

The second-year running is coming off a sensational rookie season in which he rushed for a Cowboys rookie-record 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Goff leads early TD drive, LA Rams hold off Cowboys 13-10

By GREG BEACHAM
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — With the Dallas Cowboys' playmaking stars all sitting this one out, Jared Goff and the Los Angeles Rams' more modest collection of offensive talent got just enough done to win their preseason opener.

Goff led the Rams on a touchdown drive in the opening minutes, and backup kicker Travis Coons made a tiebreaking 36-yard field goal with 6:11 left in Los Angeles' 13-10 victory Saturday night.

Goff completed 3 of 4 passes for 34 yards while playing eight snaps in the opener for the Rams, who need the No. 1 pick in last year's draft to take a big step forward this fall. Just winning any game at the Coliseum was a step for the Rams, who lost the final six home contests of their relocation season last fall.

"It's a good one to learn from, and I was happy with the win for us," Goff said.

The Rams punted after Goff's first three plays, but Josh Forrest recovered the Cowboys' muffed return. Robert Woods then caught Goff's pass and fumbled near the goal line moments later, but rookie Cooper Kupp recovered for a score.

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Los Angeles' offense put up 271 yards with Sean McVay calling the plays on his first day on the sideline as the youngest head coach in modern NFL history. While Sean Mannion played most of the game and passed for 144 yards, Goff used the night as a learning opportunity.

"I was trying to do my best to help Sean, and then just try to talk to guys, keep those guys encouraged," Goff said.

Dak Prescott, Dez Bryant and Ezekiel Elliott were among several starters sitting out for the Cowboys, who didn't manage a first down until the second quarter and got just nine first downs all game. Elliott was given a six-game suspension by the NFL on Friday for injuring his girlfriend in July 2016.

"We talked to the team about the situation and the importance of focusing on what we can control," Dallas coach Jason Garrett said of Elliott's troubles. "We can't control what the NFL does, and it's not my place to comment on whether I think it's justified. ... We suspected something like this might happen. We prepared our team accordingly by building it the right way."

Elliott and Prescott worked out on the Coliseum field before the game and then watched from the sideline in uniform. The Cowboys threw 41 passes in Elliott's absence, and Darren McFadden was their top ball-carrier with only six rushes.

BIG TIME RUSH

Rookie Cooper Rush threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to tight end Rico Gathers in the third quarter while completing his first eight passes for the Cowboys.

Kellen Moore went 8 for 17 in the first half for the Cowboys, but the offense perked up for Rush, the four-year starter at Central Michigan. Rush also caught the eye of Garrett during the Hall of Fame Game last week, and his exceptional touch on the TD throw to Gathers was undeniably impressive.

Rush went 9 of 11 for 104 yards. Gathers scored in his second straight game.

BUTTERFINGERS

The Rams hung in despite alarming ball security. Los Angeles fumbled six times, but recovered its own fumble four times before losing the last two. Rookie running back Justin Davis looked good while running for 70 yards in his college stadium, but he also fumbled twice.

BIG HIT

Dallas rookie Taco Charlton got his first sack, downing Mannion in the first quarter. The Michigan product took a bit of light criticism after a quiet debut in the Hall of Fame Game. "It looked like he was making some strides," Garrett said.

NEW GUY

Rams receiver Sammy Watkins watched from the sideline in sweats after arriving in LA earlier in the day. The Rams traded a second-round pick and cornerback E.J. Gaines to Buffalo for the playmaking wideout. Watkins got a big ovation when he appeared on the scoreboard. "He's obviously a weapon," Goff said. "His track record speaks for itself, what he's able to do."

COOOOOP

Kupp was busy in his first professional game, making two early catches for 35 yards and scoring LA's only touchdown while lining up all over McVay's formations. The Rams chose the prolific Eastern Washington product in the third round, hoping to add playmakers to the NFL's worst offense.

INJURY

Dallas tight end Connor Hamlett was taken off the field on a cart, and he left the locker room on crutches with his right foot in a walking boot.

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Cowboys RB Elliott suspended six games

Dallas Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott was suspended six games by the NFL on Friday for violating the league's personal conduct policy after multiple domestic violence incidents.

The six-game ban is the penalty for first-time offenders of the league's new domestic violent policy.

The suspension is scheduled to begin Sept. 2 and Elliott is eligible to return to the Cowboys' roster on Oct. 23, one day after the team's Week 7 road game against the San Francisco 49ers.

As a result of the suspension, the guarantees in the four-year, $24.956 million deal Elliott signed with Dallas in 2016 will be voided, per ESPN. Elliott will forfeit $559,192 in 2017 salary, according to salary cap website Spotrac.

In addition, Elliott will give up $240,000 per missed game in signing-bonus money if the suspension is upheld.

Elliott plans to appeal the suspension, his representatives said in a statement. Elliott has three business days to file notice of appeal, and a hearing must be scheduled within 10 days of receipt of the notice, according to Article 46 of the collective bargaining agreement, which governs appeal of commissioner discipline.

Elliott and his representatives disputed the NFL's conclusions and issued the following statement:

"We just learned of the NFL's decision to suspend Mr. Elliott for six games for allegedly engaging in 'physical force' against the accuser. Mr. Elliott and his team of representatives are extremely disappointed with the NFL's decision.

"Our offices have been engaged in this matter since last July and have worked hand in hand with the Columbus Prosecutor's office as well as the NFL with their respective investigations. Accordingly, we are fully aware of the full body of evidence that exists in connection with this matter.

"The NFL's findings are replete with factual inaccuracies and erroneous conclusions and it 'cherry picks' so-called evidence to support its conclusion while ignoring other critical evidence.

"For example, both the Columbus Prosecutor's office as well as the NFL investigators expressly concluded and conveyed to our office (and others) that the accuser was lying about an alleged July 22, 2016 incident whereby she accused Mr. Elliott of pulling her out of her car and assaulting her. An allegation that was ultimately undermined by her own friend's affidavit which stated that no such assault occurred. The affidavit also outlined the accuser's plan to orchestrate a story to police in order to corroborate her false allegation of assault. In addition, the NFL's own medical experts concluded that many of her injuries predated the week in question and likely occurred during a period of time when Mr. Elliott was not in contact with the accuser. During the upcoming weeks and through the appeal a slew of additional credible and controverting evidence will come to light."

NFL officials said in a statement that it investigated Elliott's case thoroughly and determined that he violated the personal conduct policy. The league examined text messages, interviewed more than a dozen witnesses -- including Elliott and the accuser -- and retained medical and legal experts to help (commissioner Roger) Goodell reach his decision.

Elliott, 22, is accused by former girlfriend Tiffany Thompson of five domestic assault incidents in July 2016 in Columbus, Ohio and has been under NFL investigation, although the city attorney's office already announced he will not face criminal charges.

Peter Harvey, the former attorney general for New Jersey who aided the NFL's investigation, said the league analyzed metadata related to the photographs and determined the photos were taken on the date the woman said the violence occurred.

Harvey said Elliott's representatives presented "alternative theories" to how she may have sustained the injuries, but did not offer evidence of the injuries occurring under those circumstances.

"So while alternative theories are interesting, in my judgment they have to be supported by evidence, and that was lacking in this particular situation," Harvey said.

NFL vice president of communications Joe Lockhart said Friday that the league told Elliott he used "poor judgment and questionable behavior" in pulling down the woman's top during a St. Patrick's Day incident, but that the action did not rise to the level of adding to his penalty.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is reportedly "furious" with the league's decision to suspend Elliott, according to ESPN.

"Over the course of the last year, the league conducted an extensive investigation," a league statement read Friday. "League investigators interviewed more than a dozen witnesses, including Ms. Tiffany Thompson, who had alleged multiple instances of physical violence in July 2016, and Mr. Elliott. The league also consulted with medical experts. League investigators examined all available evidence, including photographic and digital evidence, thousands of text messages and other records of electronic communications.

"... After reviewing the record, and having considered the views of the independent advisors, the (NFL) commissioner determined that the credible evidence established that Elliott engaged in conduct that violated NFL policy."

The NFL Players' Association also issued a statement saying it is reviewing the league's decision and has been "in touch with Ezekiel and his representatives to consider all options."

Jones previously said that the focus of the league's investigation was centered around Elliott's behavior and not the domestic violence allegations.

"I have reviewed everything, and there is absolutely nothing -- not one thing -- that had anything to do with domestic violence," Jones said during the team's training camp.

The second-year back is coming off a sensational rookie season in which he rushed for a Cowboys-rookie-record 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns en route to his first career Pro Bowl selection.

DeAngelo Williams does not want to play for Browns, Jags, Cowboys or Panthers

RB DeAngelo Williams is hoping to latch on to a team for the upcoming 2017 season, although the free-agent running back dismissed four clubs right out of the chute -- including a familiar one.

Williams told ESPN's Adam Schefter in his "Know Them From Adam" podcast that he'd rather not play for the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Cowboys as well as his initial NFL team, the Carolina Panthers.

Williams is open to returning to the team with which he spent the last two seasons -- the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh drafted third-rounder James Conner and signed veteran Knile Davis for tailback depth.

Cowboys' Tony Romo retiring, replacing Phil Simms at CBS

By SCHUYLER DIXON
AP Sports Writer

DALLAS (AP) Tony Romo is retiring from the Dallas Cowboys to replace another former quarterback in Phil Simms as lead analyst for CBS.

The network announced Tuesday that Romo will be paired with Jim Nantz on Thursday night and Sunday games next season. The former 10-year starter considered multiple network offers while also deciding whether to keep playing after losing the Dallas job to rookie Dak Prescott last season.

The departure of the all-time passing leader has been expected since November, when Romo conceded the job after missing 10 weeks with a back injury. The Cowboys were in the middle of a franchise-record 11-game winning streak when Romo returned.

The Cowboys released Romo on Tuesday after delaying the decision to see they could generate interest in a trade, which also gave the married father of two with another child on the way more time to consider his future.

Dallas Cowboys Offensive Line Named Built Ford Tough Offensive Line of the Year

DALLAS COWBOYS OFFENSIVE LINE NAMED BUILT FORD TOUGH OFFENSIVE LINE OF THE YEAR AT NFL HONORS 

The Dallas Cowboys Offensive Line is the BUILT FORD TOUGH OFFENSIVE LINE THE YEAR. The award was announced at NFL HONORS – a two-hour primetime awards show that will air nationally tonight at 8 PM ET/PT on FOX.

On the eve of Super Bowl LI, the NFL and THE ASSOCIATED PRESS announced their annual accolades in an awards show saluting the best players, performances and plays from the 2016 season.

KEEGAN-MICHAEL KEY, Emmy-award winning actor, writer and creator, hosted the show, and many of the winners were on hand to accept their awards. 

The newest PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME class was announced and introduced during the show with the Class of 2017 appearing on stage at the Wortham Theater Center in Houston.

The prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide, which recognizes a player's off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence, and the Rooney Sportsmanship Award, as voted by his peers, were among the awards announced this evening.  

Seven of the awards were from the AP. These awards are voted on at the end of the regular NFL season by a nationwide media panel of 50 people who regularly cover the league. The ballots are tabulated solely by the AP.

The full list of awards that will be presented is:

AP Most Valuable Player	Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presented by Nationwide
AP Coach of the Year	AP Comeback Player of the Year presented by McDonald's
AP Offensive Player of the Year presented by Microsoft	AP Defensive Player of the Year presented by Old Spice
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year	AP Defensive Rookie of the Year
Bridgestone Performance Play of the Year	FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Year
NFL.com Fantasy Player of the Year	Courtyard's Greatness on the Road Award
Salute to Service Award presented by USAA	Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award
Deacon Jones Award	Castrol EDGE Clutch Performer of the Year
Built Ford Tough Offensive Line of the Year