Red-letter day: Elliott, Cowboys bounce back, top Bucs 26-20 (Yahoo Sports)

Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott (4) is congratulated on his touchdown run by Ezekiel Elliott (21) in the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as head coach Jason Garrett, right, watches, , Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)

Ezekiel Elliott ran faster after he crossed the goal line than he did looking for a hole to get in the end zone from the 2-yard line. Dallas’ rookie sensation and NFL rushing leader had his eyes on an oversized Salvation Army red kettle in front of the stands. Elliott rushed for a career-high 159 yards and that short score and the Cowboys closed in on home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a 26-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night.


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Brady leads Patriots to 16-3 win over Broncos (Yahoo Sports)

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leaves the field after their win against the Denver Broncos during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)

Tom Brady brought a power run game and a sturdier offensive line with him to the Mile High City this time. Brady overcame both a slow start and another dazzling performance by Denver’s defense in New England’s grinding 16-3 win Sunday that secured a first-round bye in the playoffs. It also dealt a crushing blow to the Broncos’ playoff hopes.


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Fired Bradley regrets not sticking around to see Jaguars win (Yahoo Sports)

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley talks to media after falling to the Houston Texans in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Houston. Bradley was fired after the loss. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Gus Bradley’s one regret is he won’t be around to see the Jacksonville Jaguars win consistently. Bradley held court inside a conference room at the Sawgrass Marriott. Owner Shad Khan fired Bradley following the team’s ninth consecutive loss Sunday, ending one of the least successful coaching tenures in NFL history.


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