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DeChambeau, Crushers Take LIV

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MIAMI – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Bryson DeChambeau rolled in eight birdies on his way to a 5-under 67, powering his Crushers GC to the LIV Golf Team Championship title at Trump National Doral on Sunday in South Florida.

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DeChambeau’s top teammate was Anirban Lahiri of India, who posted the round of the day with a 7-under 65 that featured an eagle, five birdies and no bogeys. Charles Howell III (even-par 72) and Englishman Paul Casey (1-over 73) rounded out the Crushers’ final score of 11-under 277.

That was two better than RangeGoats GC, who finished second at 9-under 279 behind captain Bubba Watson’s 5-under 67.

“We’ve been wanting to win this for a long time,” DeChambeau told the TV broadcast. “Last year really left us a sour taste in our mouth and I can’t be happier with this team of mine. … They worked their butts off.”

The top four seeds — 4Aces GC, Crushers GC, Torque GC and RangeGoats GC — won in Saturday’s match-play semifinals to advance to the final round. Every player’s score counted in the final round as the four squads faced off in stroke play.

Torque, captained by Joaquin Niemann of Chile, finished third at 6-under 282. Niemann did the heavy lifting with a 6-under 66, but his three teammates averaged out to even par.

Defending champion 4Aces fell flat with a team score of even-par 288 to finish fourth. Captain Dustin Johnson had five bogeys and just two birdies for his team’s highest score, a 3-over 75. Peter Uihlein led the 4Aces with a 3-under 69.

Lahiri had an early birdie-birdie-eagle stretch at Nos. 4-6 to kickstart his round.

“I wasn’t tense at all,” Lahiri said. “I was actually really pumped up. I had a couple of Sundays (this season) where I let myself down, but I wasn’t going let them down today.”

Watson concluded his first season with LIV by going bogey-free with three birdies and an eagle for his round.

“The RangeGoats came out of nowhere,” Watson said of his team. “We played great. We gotta improve a little bit, but gosh, (to) finish second for the year, it’s a great place.”

The Team Championship concluded the second season of the Saudi-funded LIV Golf circuit. LIV’s future entering 2024 remains unclear amid the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s framework agreement with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.

–Field Level Media

Rangers, Eovaldi Force Game 7

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HOUSTON — Texas SP Nathan Eovaldi remained unbeaten this postseason, while teammates Mitch Garver had three hits and two RBIs and Adolis Garcia socked a grand slam as the Texas Rangers defeated the host Houston Astros 9-2 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday.

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The Rangers squared the best-of-seven series at 3-3 and forced a decisive Game 7 on Monday by extending their road winning streak to seven games this postseason. Texas won for just the second time in 10 games when facing elimination and snapped a five-game skid in such contests.

The road team has won all six games of the ALCS. The road team won all seven games of the 2019 World Series, with the Astros falling to the Washington Nationals at Minute Maid Park.

The Rangers got a solo home run from Garver leading off the second inning and a two-run blast by Jonah Heim in the fourth to take a 3-1 lead.

Eovaldi (4-0) settled in after surrendering an RBI single to Yordan Alvarez in the bottom of the first that scored Jose Altuve. He retired the side in order in the second and fourth and worked around a pair of walks in the third before Alvarez led off the sixth with a single.

Alvarez subsequently scored on Mauricio Dubon’s sacrifice fly that cut the margin to 3-2, but Eovaldi held the line there. He departed after surrendering a one-out single to Altuve in the seventh. He was charged with two runs on five hits and three walks, and he struck out four.

The Astros finished 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position against Eovaldi and 1-for-8 overall.

Garver knotted the score at 1-1 with his opposite-field blast to right off Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (0-3). Two innings later, Valdez quickly recorded two outs before Garver singled ahead of Heim, whose two-run shot also went the opposite way to right, giving Texas a 3-1 lead.

Garver produced an RBI double in the eighth off Astros reliever Bryan Abreu, scoring Evan Carter, who reached on an infield single and stole second base.

Rangers closer Jose Leclerc then pitched out of a jam in the bottom of the eighth, getting Dubon to hit a soft liner to shortstop Corey Seager before winning an eight-pitch confrontation against pinch-hitter Jon Singleton with a strikeout to strand the bases loaded.

Garcia, who was 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and serenaded with boos during every plate appearance, blew it open with a grand slam off Astros reliever Ryne Stanek in the ninth.

–By MK Bower, Field Level Media

Big Bill Signed for Big Bucks

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wore Service Report) – New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick signed a multi-year contract extension during the offseason, NFL Network reported Sunday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed for Belichick, whose Patriots have lost three in a row to fall to 1-5 on the season. New England has missed the playoffs in two of the past three seasons, leading to questions being raised about his future with the team.

Belichick, 71, has won six Super Bowl titles since becoming the Patriots’ head coach in 2000. The Patriots have missed the playoffs just five times in his 23 seasons prior to this campaign.

Speculation on Belichick’s future had surfaced repeatedly when New England’s record fell to 1-5.

His 299 regular-season coaching victories — accumulated with the Cleveland Browns (36) and Patriots (263) — entering Sunday’s games are third-most all-time in NFL history behind Hall of Fame members Don Shula (328) and George Halas (318).

–Field Level Media

NBA: Celtics Sign Knight, Waive Scrubb

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – The Boston Celtics announced signed forward/center Nathan Knight to a two-way contract. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Knight (6-10, 253) played in 108 games with the Atlanta Hawks (2020-21) and Minnesota Timberwolves (2022-23). He owns NBA career averages of 3.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 7.8 minutes per game while shooting 47.6 percent from the field.

The Syracuse native was a three-time Lou Henson Mid-Major All-American (2018, 2019, 2020) during his four-year colligate career at William & Mary, where he averaged 17.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 125 games. During his senior year, Knight was named the Lou Henson National Player of the Year by CollegeInsider.com, which is presented annually to the nation’s top Division I mid-major player. He was also selected as the Basketball Times National Mid-Major Player of the Year and 2020 CAA Player of the Year.

Knight attended Nottingham High School in Syracuse, New York and finished his high school career at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, New Hampshire.

In a corresponding roster move the Celtics have waived guard Jay Scrubb.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | Oct 22nd

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Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass

 

By TERRY LYONS, Editor in Chief of Digital Sports Desk

FOXBORO – The Dog Day Afternoons of the NFL season are fast upon us. The anticipation of early September pro football and the heat of the Summer of 2023 are long gone. They’re in the rearview, optimism be damned, as 38% of the 2023 NFL regular season is in the books. In their place, reality has set in for the New England Patriots’ and the cruel dose of reality is accompanied by a 1-5 record, a last place position in the AFC East, a three-game losing streak and a (-80) score differential in the six games gone by.

In Week Seven, the Buffalo Bills travel to New England while the NFL schedule-makers provide the Patriots with a road trip to play the Miami Dolphins in Week Eight. New England’s one-and-five record of the morning of October 22 can easily be one-and-seven by the time All Saints Day rolls around and the only Saint you’ll need to know is St. Jude – the patron saint of lost causes as it’s ugly and it could get really ugly.

New England Coach Bill Belichick, waxing reminiscent like his famous, “On to Cincinnati” monotone retort of late September, 2014, had only a “We’re getting ready for Buffalo” message for the media and fans of the Patriots.

Belichick delivered his plan this week in much the same manner as he did when his 2-2 Patriots team of 2014 went on to Cincinnati and won seven straight and 10 of 11 games en route to a Super Bowl win over Seattle that February, his fourth of six Super Bowl titles in the 21st Century.

Except, this season, the “We’re getting ready for Buffalo” isn’t flying with the fans in Foxboro, nor Fitchburg, nor Fall River. It’s not flying in Falmouth (Mass. or Maine) and it’s not flying with fans or players anywhere near the six States encompassing New England. Rumors of Belichick’s future are flying in every direction – mostly South – and they include a report from Monday Morning QB’s Albert Breer that stated Patriots team owner Robert Kraft has been in discussion of what a “post Belichick” world would look like “for a while,” (as in weeks/months or years) he wrote.

The Dog Days will do that to coaches in the NFL, but never before to Belichick, certainly since he took over the Patriots in late January of 2000.

The Dog Days also wreak havoc on NFL players from coast-to-coast. Let us count the ways as we peruse NFL Injury Reports leading up to Sunday, Oct. 22nd.

The Buffalo Bills have been decimated by injuries decimating their defense, including defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (torn pectoral muscle), cornerback Tre’Davious White (Achilles’)-out for season, and defensive tackle Ed Oliverruled out of the game this weekend because of a toe injury. The Buffalo Bills are also missing RB Damien Harris – neck, on the injured reserve list, and leaving the rushing duties to RB James Cook.

ALSO OUT – are QB Jimmy Garoppolo – back injury (LV Raiders), QB DeShawn Watson – strained right rotor cuff (Cleveland Browns), QB Justin Fields – thumb injury (Chicago Bears).

Injured with game-time decisions to play or not to play are the SF 49ers duo of RB Christian McCaffrey – oblique and WR Deebo Samuels – shoulder. Listed as questionable is NY Giants QB Daniel Jones – neck; New England RB Rhamondre Stevenson – ankle remains questionable on a lengthy Patriots injury listing; GB Packers RB Aaron Jones – hamstring; and Seattle Seahawks WR DK Metcalf – hip.

Meanwhile, injured RB David Montgomery -ribs (Detroit Lions); RB Kyren Williams – ankle, (LA Rams); TE Pat Freiermuth – hamstring (Pittsburgh Steelers) are doubtful.

Let’s not overlook the big-name injuries earlier this season, including NY Jets QB Aaron Rodgers (Achilles’ – out for season), Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb (severe knee – out for season), NY Giants RB Saquon Barkley (knee – questionable after missing a month), LA Rams WR Cooper Kupp – (returned last week after missing six weeks with hamstring injury), and Cincy Bengals QB Joe Burrow (calf) has been nursing his injury all season and just getting into form in mid-October.

What does it all mean?

Injuries are a huge part of the NFL season and each club has the “next man up” mentality to replace its fallen soldiers. Often, the opportunity supplied to a reserve or practice player is enough motivation to fill the hole admirably, but more frequently on offense rather than defense. The injuries to the defensive unit of the Buffalo Bills might’ve side-tracked a Super Bowl season. In the Bills’ AFC, Kansas City remains the favorite while the Miami Dolphins continue to impress. In the NFC, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Detroit all stand at 5-1 and will all will fight-it-out for the right to represent their conference come February. May the healthiest team advance.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: The World Golf Hall of Fame recently announced that NBA All-Star and champion Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors will receive The Charlie Sifford Award presented by Southern Company, which honors recipients for their spirit in advancing diversity in golf. Curry receive the award on June 10, 2024, at the World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony presented by CME Group held during the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in the Village of Pinehurst – not far from Curry’s alma mater – Davidson College in North Carolina. The Charlie Sifford Award was created in 2021 to honor an individual who personifies Sifford’s groundbreaking achievements through perseverance, confidence, respect, and adaptability.

MOST MARKETABLE ATHLETES: SportsPro, a sports marketing e-News and event company with a decidedly European tone, named its 50 most marketable athletes of 2023. Not surprisingly, Lionel Messi – the great Argentine striker who “wowed” the MLS crowds backing the Inter Miami CF club this year.

Here’s the Top 20:

  1. Lionel Messi, soccer, MLS Miami
  2. Lebron James, NBA, LA Lakers
  3. Alex Morgan, USWNT
  4. Giannis Antetokounpo, NBA, Milwaukee Bucks
  5. Megan Rapinoe, USWNT (recently retired)
  6. Mikaela Shiffren, USA Alpine Ski Team
  7. Lewis Hamilton, F-1 motorsports, British/Mercedes
  8. Simone Biles, USA Gymnastics
  9. Kylian Mbappe, soccer, PSG France
  10. Max Verstrappen, F-1, Belgium/Dutch, Red Bull
  11. Novak Djokovic, tennis, Serbia
  12. Coco Gauff, tennis, USA
  13. Stephen Curry, NBA, Golden State Warriors
  14. Naomi Osaka, tennis, Japan
  15. Lucy Bronze, soccer, Britain, FC Barcelona
  16. Robert Lewandowski, soccer, Poland, FC Barcelona
  17. Leah Williamson, soccer, Britain, Arsenal
  18. Aryna Sabalenka, tennis Belarussia
  19. Angel Reese, USA, college basketball, LSU
  20. Alphonso Davies, soccer, Ghana/Canada, Bayern Munich

Some Notes Worth Considering: Eight of the Top 20 were soccer players, marketable worldwide but limited in a great degree in the USA; Three of the Top 13 were NBA players; Angel Reese is the lone American basketball player; A total of “Zero” NFL, MLB, NHL nor PGA Tour players are in Top 20 and you had to dig to No. 29 for golfer Rory McIlroy and to No. 35 to come up with KC Chiefs TE Travis Kelce (and, no, he was not pictured with pop star Taylor Swift) and the Top 50 revealed no MLB nor NHL players.

SILVER SCREEN: Two motion pictures featuring endurance sports will entertain us from now through the Christmas holidays. Starring Annette Bening and Jodi Foster, NYAD dives into the story of Diana Nyad and her triumphs, friendships, and her will to dig deep into the human spirit. The movie is available via Netflix. … With a promotional lift in Boston via The Head of the Charles Regatta, another spectacular endurance story, entitled, “The Boys in the Boat” is an inspirational drama based on The New York Times’ No. 1 best selling non-fiction novel written by Daniel James Brown in 2013. The film, directed by George Clooney, is about the 1936 University of Washington rowing team that competed for gold at the ‘36 Summer Olympics in Berlin. The movie reflects the true story of a group of underdogs at the height of the Great Depression as they are thrust into the spotlight and take on elite rivals from around the world as Nazi Germany surfaces beneath the Olympic flame. The movie rights were once owned by the Weinstein Group, but with Harvey Weinstein serving a life sentence behind bars, the rights were eventually acquired by Lantern Entertainment of Dallas who chose Clooney to direct. You heard it here first, watch NYAD on Netflix and find time to head to a movie theatre near you to see “The Boys in the Boat.” … Get the “Inside Look.”

Then, maybe, head out to Las Vegas and catch U2 performing at The Sphere where Van den Berg is filling-in for Larry Mullen, Jr. while the longtime U2 drummer, 61, recovers from undisclosed surgery with plans to return to the band. The price of a floor ticket for U2 is averaging $956.

TIDBITS: Former Celtics champion and basketball HOFer Kevin Garnett’s Big Ticket Sports is planning a joint-venture with Pro League Network to create str33t, a new 3×3 pro streetball-style basketball league. Str33t’s first series is expected to launch in early 2024, ahead of the Paris Games, which marks the second Olympics 3×3 basketball will be contested as an Olympic sport. … The league and USA Basketball’s efforts toward the Paris Olympics are not connected.

BREAKING GOOD? – Breaking is the only sport making its debut at Paris 2024. At the Paris 2024 Games, the breaking competition will comprise two events – one for men and one for women – where 16 B-Boys and 16 B-Girls will go face to face in solo battles. Athletes will use a combination of moves and improvise to the beat of the DJ’s tracks. Breaking made its Youth Olympic debut at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in 2018. … Sport climbing, surfing, and skateboarding were also selected by the IOC as demonstration sports for the 2024 Olympic Games.

PITINO EXHIBITION “W”in DOUBLE OT: St. John’s defeated Rutgers, 89-78, in double-overtime of the charity exhibition game, the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund at the V Foundation. … St. John’s Nahiem Alleyne buried a game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer to force double-overtime. He led all scorers with 19 points on Saturday at Carnesecca Arena. It was new coach Rick Pitino’s first game as St John’s head coach, but the “W” won’t count in the record books.

PGA: Morikawa Ends Two-Year Drought

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CHIBA – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Collin Morikawa entered Sunday’s final round at the Zozo Championship in Japan, two shots behind leader Justin Suh. When it was all over, Morikawa turned the deficit into a six-stroke victory, shooting a 63 at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club to win his first title since 2021.

“Would have had to play, as it turns out, really well today to win,” said Beau Hossler, whose 70 was good enough for a tie with Eric Cole for second place at 8-under 272 for the tournament. “And that’s what champions do, right? Collin’s a proven champion on the biggest stages, so kudos to him.”

Morikawa’s Sunday round started with four birdies on the front nine. Suh, playing in the group behind Morikawa, countered with three bogeys, and by the time he made the turn, Morikawa had vaulted into the lead.

Morikawa’s bogey-free 63 was the lowest final-round score to win the Zozo in tournament history. His 14-under finish and six-stroke win was the biggest margin of victory in tournament history, besting Hideki Matsuyama’s five-stroke win in 2021.

“The game felt really good,” Morikawa said. “… Everything just kind of clicked, and we were able to not make any errors really, make the par putts when needed, and it was nice to finish off that front nine with a birdie on 8 and 9.”

Morikawa’s last PGA Tour win came at The Open Championship in 2021. Sunday’s win was his first overall since the 2021 DP World Tour Championship.

“It feels incredible,” he said of his sixth PGA Tour title. “Every win’s so different, and every experience, whether it’s winning or losing, you learn a lot, but this one just meant the world.”

Cole and Hossler entered the round tied for second at 8-under and both shot par 70 on Sunday to finish in the same spot. .

Robby Shelton fired his second 65 of the tournament — he also opened with a 65 — to move into a fourth-place tie with Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa (67). Americans took four of the first five places.

Another American, Suh, held his first-ever 54-hole lead but struggled throughout the round on Sunday with six bogeys and only two birdies. His 74 left him at 5-under for the tournament and in a tie for 10th.

Morikawa pocketed $1.53 million on Sunday. Perhaps more importantly, he walked away with both a sense of satisfaction and relief after the two-year winless drought.

“It feels so good, I can’t even explain it,” Morikawa said of his sixth PGA Tour win. “I knew I was going to get here at some point. It’s like getting your first win, your first major.”

–Field Level Media

Lawrence Leads Jags Over Saints

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NEW ORLEANS – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Ailing Jacksonville QB Trevor Lawrence threw a tie-breaking 44-yard touchdown pass to WR Christian Kirk late in the fourth quarter and the visiting Jaguars made a goal-line stand to win their fourth consecutive game, defeating the New Orleans Saints 31-24 Thursday night.

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Lawrence, whose status was uncertain until pregame warmups because of a nagging knee injury, completed 20 of 29 passes for 204 yards and the one score. He found Kirk on a crossing route that enabled the Jaguars (5-2) to overcome a fourth-quarter comeback by the Saints (3-4).

Saints QB Derek Carr, who completed 33 of 55 for 301 yards, drove New Orleans to a first-and-goal at the 6 in the final minute, but threw four straight incompletions. Saints tight end Foster Moreau was wide open in the end zone when he dropped a third-down pass with 25 seconds left.

Down by 11 at halftime, the Saints drove to Blake Grupe’s 42-yard field goal on the first possession of the third quarter to get within 17-9.

Foyesade Oluokun made the Jaguars’ NFL-leading 16th takeaway when he intercepted Carr and returned 24 yards for a touchdown that pushed the lead to 24-9.

On the second play of the fourth quarter, Taysom Hill ran 1 yard on fourth down for a touchdown that reduced the lead to 24-16.

Jacksonville’s RB Travis Etienne Jr., who rushed for two touchdowns, was stopped for no gain on fourth-and-1 at the New Orleans 47 midway through the fourth. Three plays later, Carr threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Michael Thomas and connected with Alvin Kamara for a two-point conversion that tied the score with 6:38 remaining.

The Jaguars received the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards, scoring on Etienne’s 2-yard touchdown run.

The Saints moved into scoring range on the ensuing possession, but Grupe was wide right on a 51-yard field-goal attempt.

New Orleans recovered a fumbled punt at the Jacksonville 17 but could drive only 12 yards. Grupe kicked a 23-yard field goal to trim the lead to 7-3 at the end of the first quarter.

On the fourth play of the second quarter, Etienne ran 17 yards for a touchdown and a 14-3 lead.

Grupe added a 35-yard field goal and Brandon McManus answered with a 43-yard field goal, leaving the Jaguars with a 17-6 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media

Barkley Doesn’t Want Trade

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EAST RUTHERFORD – With the NFL trade deadline looming, Giants star running back Saquon Barkley went on record as saying he wants to remain in New York.

“Sitting here everyone knows how I feel. Everyone knows I don’t want to get traded,” Barkley told reporters Thursday. “I don’t think anyone in their right mind would want to get traded anywhere. It’s not an easy thing to do. You have to move. I have a family. I would love to be here.”

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The trade deadline is 4 p.m. ET on Oct. 31.

With the last-place Giants (1-5) preparing for Sunday’s matchup with the visiting Washington Commanders (3-3) — and Barkley set to be a free agent after the season — trading him could be a win-win for Barkley and the organization.

“That never crossed my mind,” the two-time Pro Bowl selection said. “Obviously I’ve been public and vocal about how I feel about this organization and where I want to be. But like I said, knowing the business and seeing that side of it, there are a lot of things that I can’t control.”

Barkley, 26, hasn’t discussed anything trade-related with his personal team. The Giants also have the option to use the franchise tag for a second straight year.

“My focus is to be the leader I can be for this team and get this thing on the right track,” Barkley said.

Selected by the Giants with the No. 2 pick in the 2018 draft, Barkley has 207 rushing yards and a touchdown on 53 carries this season.

He missed three games with a high ankle sprain, then rushed for 93 yards on 24 carries in Sunday’s 14-9 loss to the visiting Buffalo Bills.

Barkley played all 17 games last season and totaled a career-high 1,312 rushing yards. But he and the Giants couldn’t come to an agreement on a long-term deal, as he settled for an adjusted franchise tag.

In six seasons with the Giants, Barkley has rushed for 4,456 yards and 30 touchdowns on 1,007 carries in 63 games (all starts). He also has 260 receptions for 1,866 yards and nine touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Greg Norman Resurfaces and Optimistic

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MIAMI – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – LIV Golf CEO and commissioner Greg Norman broke his months-long silence on Thursday, expressing optimism about the future of the circuit and asserting that his role will remain unchanged.

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Norman hadn’t spoken since the PGA Tour announced on June 6 a preliminary agreement with LIV that would see the two organizations and the DP World Tour form a partnership.

LIV’s existence beyond this year was called into question, as was Norman’s position — especially since Norman was unaware that Yasir Al-Rumayyan, head of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund that bankrolls LIV, and its then-competitors were discussing an alliance.

Speaking on Thursday in Miami ahead of the season-ending LIV Golf Team Championship at Doral’s Blue Monster Course, Norman told reporters, “All indications are showing that the position of LIV has never been stronger and that the success of our players and our brand has never been in a better place.

“And as we look forward into 2024, we’ve got a full schedule. We’ve got some places we’ve been to before, but we’ve got some new venues as well and we’re reaching different regions.”

Norman added, “With each year that goes by, this is really going to (be) even more exciting for us. I’m definitely seeing a lot of FOMO (fear of missing out) out there. I know, personally I’m speaking to numerous players who want to come to LIV.”

As for his own position, Norman said he was never concerned, even when PGA Tour chief operating officer Ron Price told Congress in July, “If we reach a definitive agreement (with LIV), we would not have a requirement for that type of position (that Norman holds).”

Norman said, “I knew it wasn’t true. There is so much white noise out there. I pay zero attention to because I know sitting in this seat today, I know every step I’ve made has been for the right reasons, right reasons for the game of golf. …

“I knew LIV was always going to exist. I didn’t need to be involved in the framework agreement because the success was happening here. … “I don’t see LIV going anywhere but up. That’s all I can tell you.”

–Field Level Media

Raiders Lose Garopollo But Defeat Pats

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LAS VEGAS – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Las Vegas QB Jimmy Garoppolo threw a touchdown pass before leaving with a back injury and Daniel Carlson kicked four field goals as the host Raiders defeated the New England Patriots 21-17 on Sunday afternoon.

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Garoppolo completed 14 of 22 passes for 162 yards and was intercepted once before Brian Hoyer replaced him to start the second half. Several reports said Garoppolo was taken to a local hospital for further testing.

Hoyer completed 6 of 10 for 102 yards as the Raiders (3-3) won their second straight after a three-game losing streak. Josh Jacobs ran 25 times for 77 yards for Las Vegas.

The Patriots (1-5) continued to struggle offensively, though they did end a 12-quarter touchdown drought. Mac Jones completed 24 of 33 for 200 yards and threw an interception.

New England coach Bill Belichick failed for the third consecutive week to join Don Shula and George Halas as the only NFL head coaches to win 300 regular-season games.

On the first possession of the third quarter, former Cowboy Ezekiel Elliott ran 2 yards for his first touchdown with his new team, providing New England’s first touchdown since the second quarter of a 15-10 victory against the New York Jets on Sept. 24.

Elliott’s touchdown trimmed the Las Vegas lead to 13-10 before Carlson kicked a 30-yard field goal that pushed lead to six points at the end of the third quarter.

Carlson added his fourth field goal, a 24-yarder, to increase the lead to 19-10 early in the fourth.

Rhamondre Stevenson’s 1-yard touchdown run pulled the Patriots within 19-17 with 3:33 remaining, but Jones was sacked for a safety with 1:47 remaining.

The Raiders received the opening kickoff and used 16 plays to drive 69 yards before Carlson kicked a 25-yard field goal that left the Raiders with a 3-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

They extended the lead to 10-0 early in the second when Garoppolo threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jakobi Meyers.

The Patriots closed within 10-3 when Chad Ryland kicked a 43-yard field goal midway through the quarter.

Carlson added a 37-yard field goal that extended the Raiders’ lead to 13-3 at halftime.

–Field Level Media