Things definitely didn't go the way Pat Shurmur wanted in his first season as New York Giants coach. The Giants (5-11) finished last in the NFC East for the second straight year. For general manager Dave Gettleman, it starts with what to do with two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, linebacker Olivier Vernon, cornerback Janoris Jenkins and Pro Bowl safety Landon Collins, who finished the season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury that required surgery.

Dak Prescott barely played over a three-week span before losing in his postseason debut as a rookie quarterback with the Dallas Cowboys two years ago. Rust won't be an excuse in his second playoff game against Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks (10-6) on Saturday night. Not only did Prescott play the entire game with the Cowboys (10-6) already set as the fourth seed in the NFC before a 36-35 win over the New York Giants , he had just the fourth game in his three seasons with at least 40 attempts and a career-high four touchdown passes.

The Dallas Cowboys ended the regular season on a high note Sunday with a win over the New York Giants. Cole Beasley’s diving 32-yard catch from Dak Prescott in the back of the end zone on fourth-and-15 set the Cowboys up for the go-ahead two-point conversion in the final two minutes of a 36-35 victory. It was a thrilling win for the Cowboys and their fans.

Tom Brady, Patriots, threw for three first-half touchdowns - four overall - and New England clinched its ninth straight first-round bye in the playoffs with a 38-3 win over the New York Jets. Jared Goff, Rams, had four touchdown passes to help Los Angeles secure a first-round playoff bye with a 48-32 victory over San Francisco. Matt Ryan, Falcons, had his first career reception for a touchdown and also threw for 378 yards and two TDs to help Atlanta top Tampa Bay 34-32.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced the dismissal of coach Dirk Koetter after Sunday's season-ending loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Tampa Bay finished 5-11 this season after Sunday's 34-32 loss. Earlier Sunday, ESPN reported Jameis Winston is expected to remain the starting quarterback in 2019, when he will make $20 million on his fifth-year option.

Redskins set to select No. overall pick in 2019 NFL Draft originally appeared on nbcsportswashington.com The Washington Redskins were blanked 24-0 by the Eagles in the season finale, ending the 2018 campaign with a 7-9 record. With the focus now shifting to the offseason, the Redskins know that they will have the No.

Patriots schedule 2019: All opponents now set after Week 17 games originally appeared on nbcsportsboston.com The New England Patriots now know all the teams they'll play in the 2019 NFL season. The Pats won the AFC East for the 10th consecutive season, so they'll again play a first-place schedule. New England also will play each of the four NFC East and AFC North franchises.

The Houston Texans clinched the AFC South title as Deshaun Watson threw for 234 yards and ran for a touchdown, and DeAndre Hopkins had 147 yards receiving in a 20-3 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The Texans (11-5) won nine in a row after starting 0-3 to save their season and will make their fifth playoff appearance after winning the division for the fifth time in franchise history. Houston returns to the postseason for the third time in four years after bouncing back from last year's 4-12 record in a season where Watson and J.J. Watt sustained season-ending injuries.

The New York Giants only had to get through one more week without negative headlines before their embarrassing 2018 season concluded. Unfortunately, rookie wide receiver Jawill Davis was placed on the injured reserve list with a dislocated patella — more commonly known as the kneecap — which happened while he was dancing in the locker room, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. #Giants WR Jawill Davis, placed on Injured Reserve a few minutes ago, actually suffered a dislocated patella while dancing in the locker room, sources say.

Every year, five or six teams who missed out on last season's playoffs find their way into the postseason. Who truthfully had the Bears romping to the NFC North title this season, or the Colts even coming close to January football? Every year you start with a clean slate and renewed hope of making it back to the big time... unless you're the Browns.