NFL notes: Eli Manning accepts blame for Giants loss to Cowboys

Eli Manning is taking the blame for two late blunders that led to the New York Giants’ collapse against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday night, including one where he told halfback Rashad Jennings not to score.

The bottom line though is that there is plenty of blame to go around.

Coach Tom Coughlin accepted it on Monday, too. Offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo can have some, too, and so can defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, whose group gave up touchdowns on Dallas’ final two drives in a 27-26 loss.

Manning, however, was the focus of the blame Monday.

After losing track of Dallas’ timeouts, the 12-year veteran said – on his own – he told Jennings not to score on two consecutive plays when the Giants had a first down at the Cowboys 4-yard line with 1:54 to play and a 23-20 lead.

“I thought that they may let us score to get the ball back, so that’s why I informed Rashad, if they let you score, just go down at the one-inch line. Don’t score,” Manning said. “He still ran hard, we got two yards on first down and second down; third down, that was my mistake. That did not come from the sideline.”

Manning believed Dallas had one timeout remaining when it had two. The problem was, Manning didn’t realize Dallas did not use a time out with 1:54 left when the Giants declined a penalty after a first-down pass to Odell Beckham Jr.

To compound the problem, Manning threw the ball away and stopped the clock on a third-down pass. He should have taken a sack and milked the clock.

Yellow numbers?

Did you notice those yellowish 50-yard line numerals?

Here’s the deal: In celebration of Super Bowl 50 – the golden anniversary year – the NFL has had those numerals painted gold at midfield in each NFL stadium.

Super Bowl 50 will be played Feb. 7 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, home of the 49ers.

Around the league

It may be several days before the Browns know if QB Josh McCown (concussion) can play against the Titans, and until then the Browns will prepare backup Johnny Manziel to start. … Oakland QB Derek Carr’s injured throwing hand that knocked him out of the game against the Bengals is not as serious as originally feared, and the Raiders are hopeful Carr will be able to play this week against the Ravens. … Redskins WR DeSean Jackson could miss three to four weeks with a strained left hamstring. … The NFL said it will take no action against Dolphins DT Ndamukong Suh after he dislodged an opponent’s helmet at Washington. … Colts WR T.Y. Hilton did not sustain any structural damage to his injured left knee and could play Monday night against the Jets. … RB LaMike James was released by the Dolphins one day after he fumbled a kickoff return. … Jets CB Antonio Cromartie has a sprained left knee but has not been ruled out for this week’s game Monday against the Colts.