NFL this 'n' that

For one day, at least, the Giants look like geniuses for consigning aging, fading Eli Manning to the bench. Rookie QB Daniel Jones, out of Duke, ran for 2 touchdowns, including the game winner, and threw for 2 more, as Big Blue sweated out a late field goal try by Tampa Bay rookie Matt Gay, escaping with a 32-31 win on the road.

Gay, who'd missed two extra points earlier, said he was confident he could redeem himself. Instead, he came off like Ben Gay, as he shanked another kick, with time running out.

The Giants (1-2) will play the Washington Trumpets next Sunday. Tonight, Washington plays Chicago on Monday Night Football.
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Yes, the Jests are 0-3 after losing to New England, 30-14, but the story here is another example of the defending champions' lack of faith in back-up quarterbacks.

4th quarter, 6 1/2 minutes remaining. Tom Brady takes a seat on the bench, game well in hand, or so he and everyone else thought. Then, Jarrett Stidham, a rookie from Auburn, throws a pick-6 to Jamal Adams, and, suddenly, Brady decides to re-enter the game on the ensuing Patriot possession. That New England didn't score again says the Jets' defense had the momentum, or the Pats were content to run out the clock.

But how is a rookie like Stidham going to learn anything just carrying a clipboard if Brady continues to hog playing time, even when the game is decided? As noted above, the Giants took a chance and started Daniel Jones, and it worked. He'll face the Evil Empire in 10 days, but if the Patriots think the Giants are an easy out, they'd better think again, and concentrate on finishing their first cycle of division games against Buffalo, which shares first place at 3-0.
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Both the Giants and Patriots suffered significant injuries on Sunday.

New England WR/KR Julian Edelman left with a rib injury, and was held out for the rest of the game as a precaution. Patriot Nation is hoping he'll be ready for Buffalo.

The Giants, though, just learned that 2nd year RB Saquon Barkley will miss up to 2 months with a high ankle sprain. Kinda makes the decision to part with Paul Perkins (now with Detroit) a bad idea.

But, then.......you can't predict injuries.
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By now, you've seen KC QB Patrick Mahomes joining Green Bay counterpart Aaron Rodgers in shilling for State Farm. David Haydn-Jones (Supernatural) plays Rodgers' fictional agent, Gabe Gabriel, in these spots.

But if you think that's bad, the ad agency hired by Procter & Gamble to do an elaborate, multi-part spot for Tide at the Super Bowl, decided to try a two-part bit that has been making the rounds, with Peyton Manning appearing in the first half. As if we need more of him.....

I'm begging Disney to cast Manning as a live-action, human version of Goofy. Just sayin'.