Bengals batter Eagles
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Andy Dalton threw one touchdown pass and ran for another score, an opportunistic defense forced five turnovers and the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Philadelphia Eagles 34-13. The Bengals improve to 8-6 and grab a half-game lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) for the last playoff spot in the AFC.
The Bengals would clinch their second straight playoff berth with a win over the Steelers if Pittsburgh loses to Dallas this Sunday. A loss to the Steelers, though, would likely ruin Cincinnati’s chances.
The Eagles’ season was lost a long time ago. They fell to 4-10, losing double-digit games for the first time since 2005.
RG III looking better
UNDATED (AP) — Robert Griffin III practiced on a limited basis a second straight day and Redskins coach Mike Shanahan says his rookie quarterback looked more comfortable than he was Wednesday. But Shanahan reiterated that he plans to wait as long as possible to announce whether Griffin or backup Kirk Cousins will start on Sunday against Cleveland.
Griffin suffered a mild sprain of his right knee late in last week’s game. Cousins replaced him on what proved to be a game-tying drive and then led Washington to victory in overtime.
In other pro football news:
— Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant says he will play with a broken finger Sunday against Pittsburgh. Bryant was listed as a limited participant in practice Thursday. That’s an upgrade from a day earlier, when he sat out. The third-year pro fractured his left index finger in last weekend’s 20-19 win at Cincinnati. He caught a touchdown after getting injured. Bryant practiced with a padded white glove that had the tip of the finger exposed.
Rangers losing former MVP
UNDATED (AP) — Josh Hamilton resurrected his career with Texas. Now he’s taking his prolific bat to the West coast, where he’ll play for the Los Angeles Angels.
According to Texas general manager Jon Daniels, the free-agent outfielder has signed on with the AL West rivals.
Two people familiar with the talks tell The Associated Press that the 31-year-old outfielder is getting a five-year deal worth $125 million.
Texas had hoped to re-sign the 2010 AL Most Valuable Player, who led the Rangers to consecutive World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011.
Hamilton batted .285 with 43 homers and 128 RBIs last season.
Hamilton’s $25 million average salary matches Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard for the second-highest in baseball. They trail only Alex Rodriguez’s $27.5 million average with the New York Yankees.
Elsewhere around the major leagues:
— Ichiro Suzuki and the New York Yankees are closing in on a contract that would guarantee the outfielder between $12 million and $13 million. The 39-year-old outfielder revived his career in New York after he was acquired from Seattle on July 23. The 10-time All-Star batted .261 with four homers, 28 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in 95 games with the Mariners, then hit .322 with five homers, 27 RBIs and 14 steals in 67 games for the Yankees to help them win the AL East.
— The Cincinnati Reds and free-agent infielder Jack Hannahan finalized a $4 million, two-year contract. It gives the team added depth at third base. The 32-year old hit .244 for the Cleveland Indians last season with 16 doubles, four homers and 29 RBIs in 105 games.
— Andres Torres is returning to the San Francisco Giants, reaching agreement on a one-year contract, pending a physical. The 34-year-old outfielder spent the 2012 season with the New York Mets following three years with the Giants. He hit .230 this year with three home runs, 35 RBIs and 13 stolen bases in 132 games.
Hawks grab piece of division lead
UNDATED (AP) —Atlanta has pulled into a tie with idle Miami for the NBA’s Southeast Division lead. Devin Harris scored a game-high 20 points off the bench to help the Hawks beat struggling Charlotte 113-90 and improve to 14-6.
After getting off to a respectable 7-5 start, the Bobcats have lost 10 in a row.
Knicks 116 Lakers 107
NEW YORK (AP) — Carmelo Anthony scored 22 of his 30 points in the first quarter, and the New York Knicks held on after he departed with a sprained left ankle to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 116-107 in coach Mike D’Antoni’s return to Madison Square Garden. Firing in 3-pointers and moving the ball to open shooters, things they often struggled to do under D’Antoni, the Knicks won for the eighth time in nine games and improved to 9-0 at home for the first time since the 1992-93 season.
Meanwhile, things are starting as poorly for D’Antoni in Los Angeles as they ended in New York. The Lakers, still without Steve Nash and Pau Gasol, were never really in the game while losing their fourth straight and falling to 9-14.
Raymond Felton scored 19 points, and Tyson Chandler and J.R. Smith added 18 apiece for the Knicks.
Kobe Bryant had 31 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers. Metta World Peace finished with 23 points and Dwight Howard had 20.
Trail Blazers 98 Spurs 90
PORTLAND (AP) — Damian Lillard scored 29 points to lead Portland to a surprise 98-90 win over San Antonio. The Spurs drop their second straight and fall to 18-6. The Trail Blazers up their mark to 10-12. Tony Parker topped the Spurs with 21 points.