The NFL has fined the New York Giants $150,000 and coach Ben McAdoo $50,000 for their illegal use of walkie-talkies during their Week 14 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, the league announced Tuesday.

NFL Fines Giants $150K, Ben McAdoo $50K For Use Of Walkie-Talkies Vs Cowboys

In addition, the Giants’ fourth-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft will fall a maximum of 12 spots in the fourth round and could drop below compensatory picks, depending on the spot the team will select from.

The penalties were for a violation of the league’s game operations policy. Coaches are not permitted to hold two-way radios during games, because such radios cannot be cut off with 15 seconds remaining on the play clock, and thus would give any team that uses them an unfair advantage. Giants quarterback Eli Manning was forced to use some of his receivers, including Odell Beckham Jr., as messengers to relay McAdoo’s plays after Manning’s helmet communication stopped functioning. McAdoo used the walkie-talkies for five plays. The drive ended when Manning threw an interception, and the Giants ultimately won the game 10-7 at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 11.

People around the NFL appear to think the Giant’s actions are a “pretty big deal” and a “blatant disregard for a known rule for a competitive advantage.”

The league took into consideration that the team fully cooperated with the investigation and that it was their first violation of the policy.

The Cowboys did not file a formal complaint with the NFL, but the league was quick to begin investigating after McAdoo was seen blatantly using a walkie-talkie.

Cowboys executive Stephen Jones wouldn’t confirm or deny last week that his team contacted the league regarding the matter.

“We don’t comment on things like that,” he said, “but it’s obvious to everybody what happened, and my understanding is it’s being looked into and handled.”

Jones added the Cowboys believed the use of walkie-talkies did not affect the outcome of the game.

McAdoo said he hadn’t thought about what would be an appropriate penalty, adding he was instead concentrated on the Giants’ game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night.

McAdoo is in his first year as an NFL head coach. He spent two seasons as the Giants’ offensive coordinator.

The Giants’ punishment seems light, which likely reflects how the league viewed the violation. The Atlanta Falcons were fined $350,000 and stripped of a fifth-round pick for pumping in fake crowd noise. The Kansas City Chiefs were forced to forfeit a 2016 third-round draft pick and a 2017 sixth-rounder for violating the league’s tampering rules when it contacted then-free agent Jeremy Maclin illegally before signing him.

Additionally, former Cleveland Browns general manager Ray Farmer was suspended four games for illegal cell phone use during a game.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 3: Bobby Hart #68 of the New York Giants and teammate Odell Beckham #13 talk while walking off the field after the first half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings on October 3, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders finished Sunday’s 16-3 loss to the New England Patriots with three catches for 48 yards, and was heavily criticized for his performance by fans, who believed Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler “shut him down.”

Broncos’ Emmanuel Sanders Refuses To Admit Patriots’ Malcolm Butler ‘Shut Him Down’

Sanders, unsurprisingly, was not pleased by this assertion, and took to Twitter Monday morning to silence these fans:

Butler finished the game allowing one completion for 21 yards on three targets in his direction, via NESN.com. He was not the only one to cover Sanders for all of Sunday’s game, however. Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan was also covering Sanders when he managed his first interception of the season.

Patriots safety Devin McCourty was asked about Sanders’ tweet in an appearance on CSNNE’s “Quick Slants” with Tom E. Curran and former Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo. McCourty gave Butler (and the rest of the team) much credit for his performance on Sunday, but also threw a jab at the Broncos:

“Malcolm did what the game plan called up,” he said. “There were times when he was out there and he was one-on-one with Emmanuel Sanders and he does what we expect him to do every week. To criticize his play probably shows more of what [Sanders] was receiving from Twitter and being out there, going on the internet and seeing people saying Malcolm Butler shut him down. Malcolm didn’t say anything after the game. … I think they’ve got more to worry about than what Malcolm Butler did.”

The Broncos allegedly got into a heated “offense vs. defense” shouting match sparked by cornerback Aqib Talib and tackle Russell Okung following the game on Sunday. Head coach Gary Kubiak told Lindsay Jones of USA Today that the incident was “not a big deal” and “just frustration” after a major defeat.

The Broncos (8-6, 3rd in AFC West) continue to seek a playoff berth, while the Patriots (12-2) have clinched their division title for the eighth straight year.

DENVER, CO – JANUARY 24: Emmanuel Sanders #10 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 24, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Grabbing a face-mask is something that countless NFL players have done over the years, and it usually results in a penalty if the officials notice it.

Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart Gets Facemask Knocked Off Helmet In 26-15 Win Over Redskins

However, rarely have we ever seen a player’s face-mask knocked completely off his helmet. That’s exactly what happened to Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart during his team’s 26-15 road victory over the Washington Redskins on Monday night. Stewart was the first to be surprised by this incident, unsurprisingly.

With the loss, the Redskins (7-6-1) are now out of the NFC’s second wild-card slot for the time being.

The Green Bay Packers (8-6) come in as the sixth seed, holding a slim tiebreak lead over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with just two weeks remaining in the regular season.

On Monday, the Panthers (6-8) taunted young Redskins cornerback Josh Norman, whom Carolina parted with in April after rescinding his franchise tag.

“For us, our challenge all year has been to play a complete game,” Panthers quarterback Cam Newton said in his postgame press conference. “You know, going into the fourth quarter most of the time with the lead, we had to keep our foot on the gas and stay aggressive.”

Newton completed 21 of 37 passes for 300 yards and two touchdowns. Stewart finished with 132 rushing yards.

Newton absorbed a helmet-to-helmet in the second quarter that was not penalized. After taking this hit, Newton flipped the ball to Washington linebacker Trent Murphy and drew a taunting penalty.

Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins finished 32-of-47 for 315 yards, and broke the single-season franchise record for passing yards, but failed to throw a touchdown. Cousin’s team was undisciplined and even unsportsmanlike at times: star tight end Jordan Reed landed a punch on Panthers safety Kurt Coleman that disqualified him from the game.

The Redskins now need help to reach consecutive playoffs for the first time since 1992.

“Without a choice, we have to shake it off,” Washington coach Jay Gruden said following the game. “We have to move on and look forward to the game (next week) against Chicago. From the outside looking in, obviously the only chance we have to shake it off is to go to Chicago and play our best game of the year. It’s the only chance we have.”

The Panthers, who are fourth in the NFC South, will next host the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday, when the Redskins visit the Chicago Bears.

LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 19: Running back Jonathan Stewart #28 of the Carolina Panthers carries the ball against defensive back Greg Toler #20 of the Washington Redskins in the third quarter at FedExField on December 19, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Doug Marrone, the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ assistant head coach/offensive line coach, will take over as interim coach in the wake of head coach Gus Bradley’s firing, the team announced Monday.

Doug Marrone Named Jaguars’ Interim Coach; Gus Bradley Praises Owner, GM

The Jaguars (2-12) fired Bradley (14-48 career record) following Sunday’s 21-20 loss to the Houston Texans. That marked Jacksonville’s ninth consecutive loss, and two games now remain in the regular season.

Marrone, 52, joined Jacksonville in January 2015 after two seasons as the head coach in Buffalo, where he led the Bills to a 15-17 record before opting out of his contract due to uncertainty over possible organizational changes.

Marrone coached the Bills to a 9-7 record in 2014, which to date is their only winning record since 2004.

Bradley hired Marrone in 2015 to replace offensive line coach George Yarno, who left the team after being diagnosed with cancer.

Believed to be a popular head-coaching candidate at the time, Marrone was passed over for several open positions, most notably the New York Jets, who ended up hiring Todd Bowles. 

Last offseason, Marrone was spotted attempting to sing along to famous rap songs during the Jaguars’ training camp, as seen in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKbRBqgtqTM

Marrone has also been a head coach at the collegiate level, going 25-25 at Syracuse from 2009 to 2012.

Given all this experience, it seems logical that general manager Dave Caldwell handed Marrone the reigns to help salvage the Jaguars’ disappointing season. Caldwell later told the press that Marrone is a candidate for the permanent job, “regardless of what happens in the next few weeks.”

Bradley, for his part, said he still considers Jaguars owner Shad Khan a friend and called him “phenomenal.” Bradley also expressed his confidence that the next head coach would do well despite the lackluster season.

“I think you’re coming into a situation where this is a hungry, chip-on-the-shoulder team, so if a coach was looking at this you’d say, [it’s a] pretty good situation,” Bradley said.

The Jaguars have not won a game at EverBank Field since Dec. 13, 2015.

“The record, what took place, I take full responsibility for it,” Bradley said. “I have no excuses. I have no misgivings. … I understand the NFL is a business and it’s results-orientated and we didn’t get it done.

“As far as being given the opportunity, [Khan] provided everything that we needed and so did Dave.”

Several players expressed their sadness about the news regarding Bradley’s firing, and took to social media to show their sentiments. Nose tackle Roy Miller was one of those, and he said again Monday morning that he wasn’t happy.

“I think everybody knows the head coach always gets the blame, but he’s not the only one that made mistakes,” Miller said. “In the end that’s where we’re at. Everyone is trying to find a reason, an excuse. We’ve been trying to do that all year. It pisses me off because as a player you have a lot of responsibility. You hate to see the head man take it all.”

The Jaguars next host the Tennessee Titans on Saturday.

ORCHARD PARK, NY – NOVEMBER 27: Assistant head coach Doug Marrone of the Jacksonville Jaguars talks to his players on the bench during NFL game action against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on November 27, 2016 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Jameis Winston is known for taking chances, which is why he entered Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys with 27 career interceptions in 29 starts. That day in Dallas, however, one of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback’s gutsiest passes paid off to nab his team a very lucky touchdown.

Watch: Bucs’ Adam Humphries Catches Jameis Winston’s Deflected Pass

Trailing 17-6 early in the third quarter, Winston rolled to his left on a third-and-1 and tossed a deep pass to Adam Humphries in the end zone.

At first, it seemed as if the pass was bound to end in an interception, but Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr was unable to catch the ball while jumping, and instead simply managed to tip it. Humphries took advantage of the deflection and snagged the ball to Cut Dallas’ lead to 17-13 with the 42-yard touchdown.

In case it wasn’t completely clear in the video, this photo shows how lucky Winston got:

The Cowboys (12-2) ultimately won 26-20.

On Tampa Bay’s subsequent drive, Winston again delivered, although not even partly because of luck. He connected with Cameron Brate for a go-ahead TD and gave the Bucs their first lead since early in the second quarter.

Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott completed 89 percent (32 of 36) of his passes– the second-highest mark in NFL history with a minimum of 30 attempts– for a total of 279 yards. WIth his performance, Prescott broke a streak of less than 200 passing yards.

Prescott was helped by another rookie, star running back Ezekiel Elliott. The MVP candidate hurdled for a career-high 159 yards and a touchdown, easily maneuvering past the Bucs’ defense.

With two games remaining against Detroit and Philadelphia, Elliott needs just 258 rush yards to break Eric Dickerson‘s rookie record (1,808).

The Cowboys converted two Winston turnovers in Tampa Bay territory– one strip sack and one interception– into 10 points.

Dallas’s Dan Bailey is no longer the most efficient field goal kicker in NFL history. After Bailey missed two 50-plus-yard attempts in the first half, that title now belongs to the Baltimore Ravens’ Justin Tucker, (89.6 percent) who missed his first field goal this season against the New England Patriots in Week 14.

The Buccaneers (8-6) continue seeking a playoff berth, while the Cowboys have already long secured theirs.

And yet, some Cowboys fans seemed to have doubted the team, so wide receiver Dez Bryant decided to call out all those fans.

“I’m talking to the fake Cowboy fans, I’m talking to the bandwagons, I’m just talking about everybody,” Bryant said angrily after the game. “First off, just jump off. Jump off. Like, we lost one game. We were 11-2. Like c’mon, man, this guy put us in this position and you just get to talking crazy. You know, we have one bad game, it’s crazy.”

Bryant was evidently referring to the Cowboys’ road loss against the New York Giants last week, their second defeat of the season (which happened to be against the same team).

The Cowboys will next host the Detroit Lions on Monday, Dec. 26, while the Bucs will visit the New Orleans Saints on Saturday (Christmas Eve).

ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 18: Adam Humphries #11 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers catches a tipped pass for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

LeGarrette Blount now owns a New England Patriots franchise record.

LeGarrette Blount Sets Patriots Single-Season Record For Rushing TDs In 16-3 Win Over Broncos

The running back ran for his record-setting 15th rushing touchdown of the season in Sunday’s 16-3 road victory over the Denver Broncos.

Blount and Curtis Martin were previously tied at 14 rushing touchdowns, after Blount scored in Week 14 against the Baltimore Ravens.

Entering Sunday’s game, Blount had the fifth-most rushing yards in the NFL (1,029). He’s scored a touchdown in 10 of the Patriots’ 15 games this season, and has run for over 100 yards four times.

In addition, behind Dion Lewis’ 95-yard effort, the Patriots out-rushed the Broncos 136 yards to 58.

The Patriots (12-2), who have won five straight games, have now clinched the AFC East title for the eighth straight year, a league record.

The Broncos (8-6), meanwhile, continue to pursue a playoff berth, as they remain at third in the AFC West. Denver has lost three of their last four games.

Tom Brady completed just 16 of 32 passes for 188 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 68.2. Brady was pleased with his team’s performance overall despite New England’s slow start, and with the fact that he was not hit by the Broncos a career-high 23 times like he was in the AFC Championship game last January.

Despite the loss, Denver quarterback Trevor Siemian outperformed Brady, finishing 25 for 40 for 282 yards with an interception for a rating of 73.1.

Brady’s first completion was a 17-yarder to Julian Edelman one minute into the second quarter, sparking a drive that ended with Blount reaching the end zone from the 1 to break a 1-1 tie.

On that same drive, Brady was sack-stripped on the first snap with left guard Joe Thuney pouncing on the fumble, and Lewis recovered his own fumble at the Denver 1 right before Blount scored.

Siemian made two poor decisions that stopped promising drives.

His toss to Emmanuel Sanders from the Patriots 14 was both poorly timed and poorly aimed. Cornerback Ryan Logan picked it off and returned it to midfield, setting up Blount’s TD run.

The Broncos reached the Patriots 31 on the subsequent drive. Siemian was pressured, and rather than throw the ball away dumped it off to running back Justin Forsett for a 6-yard loss that kept Denver out of field-goal range.

“I missed a couple of opportunities to at least get us some points early on,” Siemian lamented. “It comes back to haunt you for sure.”

A quarrel also began amongst the Broncos following their loss, but the shouting match didn’t last long.

The Patriots next host the New York Jets on Saturday, while the Broncos will visit the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday night in a Christmas-day matchup.

DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 18: Running back LeGarrette Blount #29 of the New England Patriots rushes as inside linebacker Todd Davis #51 of the Denver Broncos attempts a tackle in the first quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

The Seattle Seahawks crushed the hopeless Los Angeles Rams 24-3 at home on Thursday night to secure the top spot in the NFC West.

Seahawks Rout Rams 24-3 To Clinch NFC West Title

Russell Wilson finished 19-of-26 for 229 yards and threw three touchdown passes, but also tossed a careless interception at the goal line midway through the fourth quarter. Tyler Lockett had 130 yards receiving and a score, as the Seahawks (9-4-1) claimed their third division title in four seasons. Seattle has now assured themselves of at least one home game in the playoffs and maintained the pressure on Detroit in the race for the No. 2 seed in the NFC and a first-round bye. Seattle also snapped a three-game losing streak to the Rams (4-10).

Los Angeles has now lost five straight and nine of their last 10. Special teams coordinator John Fassel took over as interim coach after head coach Jeff Fisher was fired earlier this week.

In the third quarter Thursday, Seattle faced a first-and-goal from the Rams’ 1-yard line and chose to throw the ball to Jimmy Graham in the end zone.

Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman did not appreciate that decision, and thus began shouting at members of his team’s coaching staff on the sideline.

“I’m upset about us throwing from the 1,” Sherman said afterward. “I’d rather do what most teams would do, making a conscientious decision to run the ball.”

Sherman stated he was initially speaking to head coach Pete Carroll on the sideline, but then offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell got involved.

“Yeah, I was letting [Carroll] know. We’ve already seen how that goes,” Sherman said, alluding to the Seahawks’ Super Bowl XLIX loss to the New England Patriots, which ended on a Wilson interception by Malcolm Butler in a similar situation.

Doug Baldwin also made a 1-yard TD catch to give Seattle a 17-3 lead in the third quarter, and then Wilson helped put the game away by firing a 57-yard pass to Lockett on the second play of the fourth quarter. . Luke Willson also had an 8-yard touchdown catch in the first half.

Another mostly forgettable Thursday night game was made at least somewhat more entertaining by the Seahawks and their highlighter green (“Action Green”) uniforms that drew wild opinions all over social media.

Jared Goff was 13-of-25 for 135 yards before leaving in the fourth quarter to be checked for a possible concussion. The Rams finished with 183 total yards, but 90 of those came in the fourth quarter. Case Keenum stepped in for Goff.

Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett suffered a neck strain in the fourth quarter on a collision with Rams running back Todd Gurley, Carroll said.

Seattle had two sacks in the first half and finished with four.

The Rams will next host San Francisco on Saturday, Dec. 24, when the Seahawks host Arizona in their final home game.

SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 15: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks almost intercepts a pass by the Los Angeles Rams at CenturyLink Field on December 15, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)