New York Giants Down Dolphins, 31-24

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Published on December 15 2015 6:17 am
Last Updated on December 16 2015 6:18 am

With the score tied in the fourth quarter, Odell Beckham Jr. somehow slipped 5 yards behind the secondary. That turned out to be the winning margin for the New York Giants.

Beckham's 84-yard touchdown reception put the Giants ahead to stay with 11 minutes to go, and they forged a three-way tie atop the NFC East by beating the Miami Dolphins 31-24 on Monday night.

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, and his 87-percent completion percentage was a career high.

The Giants (6-7) broke a three-game losing streak and are tied with the Redskins and Eagles for the lead in their woeful division.

The Dolphins (5-8) were mathematically eliminated from the playoff race, which extends their postseason drought to a franchise-record seven consecutive seasons.

In celebration of the franchise's 50th season, the Dolphins introduced their 50 greatest players at halftime. The not-so-great 2015 Dolphins topped 20 points for the first time since October but couldn't keep up with Beckham, who had seven catches for 166 yards and the game's final two scores. Monday night marked his sixth 100-yard game in a row, a Giants record.

"They got it to a star player, and he made plays for them," Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said.

Beckham missed one series, when he went to the locker room due to cramps in both calves, but he didn't let that slow him down. With the score 24-all, he took advantage of broken coverage to score the go-ahead touchdown. Cornerback Jamar Taylor and seldom-used safety Shamiel Gary were the closest defenders, but Manning hit Beckham in stride at midfield, and Beckham sprinted to the end zone for his 12th touchdown this season.

 

Thursday, December 17 Schedule (Time Central)

Tampa Bay at St. Louis, 7:25 p.m.


Saturday, December 19 Schedule (Time Central)

New York at Dallas, 7:25 p.m.


Sunday, December 20 (All Times Central)

Chicago at Minnesota, noon

Atlanta at Jacksonville, noon

Houston at Indianapolis, noon

Carolina at New York, noon

Tennessee at New England, noon

Buffalo at Washington, noon

Kansas City at Baltimore, noon

Cleveland at Seattle, 3:05 p.m.

Green Bay at Oakland, 3:05 p.m.

Denver at Pittsburgh, 3:25 p.m.

Miami at San Diego, 3:25 p.m.

Cincinnati at San Francisco, 3:25 p.m.

Arizona at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.


Monday, December 21 (Time Central)

Detroit at New Orleans, 7:30 p.m.