Giants QB Eli Manning admits making key mental blunders in loss to Cowboys

Eli Manning is taking the blame for two late blunders that led to the New York Giants’ collapse against the Dallas Cowboys, including one where he told halfback Rashad Jennings not to score.

Manning, a 12-year-veteran, said that after losing track of Dallas’ timeouts, he told Jennings not to score on two consecutive plays when the Giants had a first down at the Cowboys four-yard line with 1:54 to play, and a 23-20 lead.

“I thought that they may let us score to get the ball back, so that’s why I informed Rashad if they let you score, just go down at the one-inch line. Don’t score,” Manning said. “He still ran hard, we got two yards on first down and second down, third down that was my — it’s still my mistake. That did not come from the sideline.”

Manning believed Dallas had one timeout remaining when it had two. The problem was Manning didn’t realize Dallas did not use a timeout with 1:54 when the Giants declined a penalty after a first-down pass to Odell Beckham Jr.

The Cowboys scored touchdowns on their last two possessions, the game-winner coming with seven seconds to play.

No penalty for Suh

The NFL said it will take no action against Miami defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh after he dislodged an opponent’s helmet during the season opener at Washington. The league said it determined the contact by Suh following a play was not a kick.

Cowboys most valuable

The Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable sports franchise in the world, worth $4 billion, according to Forbes magazine. It is the first time they have topped the list since 2007, and the ninth straight year they have topped the NFL. Super Bowl champion New England is second at $3.2 billion, followed by the Washington Redskins ($2.85 billion), the Giants ($2.8 billion) and the San Francisco 49ers ($2.7 billion). The Buffalo Bills are last on the list at $1.4 billion.

Carr injury not serious

Oakland quarterback Derek Carr’s injured throwing hand is not as serious as originally feared, and the Raiders are hopeful he will be able to play this week against Baltimore. An MRI test showed he suffered only a bruised right hand on a hit by Cincinnati’s Adam Jones that knocked Carr out of the game during the Bengals’ 33-13 win.

Etc.

Washington wide receiver DeSean Jackson could miss three to four weeks because of a strained his left hamstring. . . . An MRI test showed New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie’s left knee injury to be only a sprain, not ligament tear as initially feared. . . . . Pro Bowl receiver T.Y. Hilton did not sustain any structural damage to his injured left knee and could play next week, the Indianapolis Colts said. . . . The NFL suspended Washington cornerback Chris Culliver one game for an unspecified violation of the league’s personal conduct policy. Culliver was arrested in March 2014 on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and reckless driving. . . . San Diego right guard D.J. Fluker is expected to miss several weeks with what is believed to be a high ankle sprain. . . . St. Louis Coach Jeff Fisher said defensive end Eugene Sims and special teams ace Chase Reynolds have knee injuries that could sideline them for a few weeks.