Tuesday 14 November 2017 07:40, UK
The Atlanta Falcons romped to a 27-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, who badly struggled offensively in their first game without suspended running back Ezekiel Elliott.
While the Cowboys (5-4) missed Elliott, who began serving a six-game suspension for allegations of domestic abuse after three legal reprieves, they really noticed the absence of left tackle Tyron Smith.
He sat out the game with back and groin injuries, leaving third-year player Chaz Green to protect Dak Prescott's blind side - it did not go well, as Adrian Clayborn set an Atlanta record with six sacks, and also had two forced fumbles.
Meanwhile, on offense, the Falcons (5-4) were much improved, with Matt Ryan throwing a pair of short touchdown passes, while Tevin Coleman had a one-yard TD run in relief of Devonta Freeman, who left the game early with a concussion.
Dallas actually jumped ahead 7-0 off the back of a Prescott 11-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, but Atlanta took control from there.
After Matt Bryant's 50-yard field goal, Coleman powered over from the one-yard line to give Atlanta a 10-7 half-time lead.
Ryan added to that lead with his two short-yardage TDs, to Justin Hardy and Austin Hooper, before Bryant nailed another field goal - this one from 29 yards - in the fourth quarter.
But, the real star for the Falcons was Clayborn. His performance matched the second-most sacks in NFL history, joining Osi Umenyiora and Fred Dean on six sacks in a game, while Derick Thomas holds the league record with seven - for the Kansas City Chiefs against the Seattle Seahawks in 1990.
Clayborn had more sacks in this game than in any other season in his career, except for his rookie year in 2011 when he had 7.5. He came into Sunday with 20.5 sacks in his seven-year career.
Elsewhere, in the other late games in the NFL....
Giants 21-31 49ers 31
Rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard passed for 288 yards and two touchdowns as San Francisco (1-9) won its first game of the season, beating the sorry New York Giants (1-8).
Beathard had touchdowns of 83 yards to wide receiver Marquise Goodwin and 47 yards to tight end Garrett Celek in the second quarter. He also ran for an 11-yard score.
Meanwhile, Giants quarterback Eli Manning started his 208th consecutive game, tying his brother, Peyton, for the second longest streak in NFL history, behind only Brett Favre's streak of 297.
Texans 7-33 Rams
Quarterback Jared Goff threw three touchdowns passes as the Rams (7-2) rolled to their fourth consecutive win, while the Texans (3-6) dropped their third straight.
