of getting back. I feel like a better player now than

CLEVELAND -- The football popped into the air and Jason Pierre-Paul knew exactly what to do next.Use both hands.I knew one of these days I was going to catch the ball, he said. I knew if I was ever catching a ball, Im going to the end zone.Pierre-Paul returned a fumble 43 yards for a touchdown and recorded three sacks to lead the New York Giants to their sixth straight win, 27-13 over the Cleveland Browns.Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes -- two to Odell Beckham Jr . -- as the Giants extended their longest winning streak since 2008 and moved closer to securing their first playoff berth in five years. The Browns (0-12) have lost 15 straight dating to last season.With the Giants (8-3) slogging through a game where they seemed to be playing down to Clevelands level, Pierre-Paul helped New York open a two-touchdown lead and avert disaster with his third career touchdown -- maybe one that meant a little bit more to the defensive end.Under pressure, Browns quarterback Josh McCown was hit as he threw by New Yorks Jonathan Hankins and the ball was corralled by Pierre-Paul, who tucked it under his left arm and rambled untouched for the TD to give the Giants a 20-6 lead. It was another stirring moment in the comeback for the 27-year-old Pierre-Paul, whose career was nearly ended by a horrifying fireworks accident in 2015, when he lost his index finger and parts of two others on his right hand.The fumble return only reaffirmed Pierre-Pauls return to form as an elite player, coming a week after he had 2 1/2 sacks, forced a fumble and deflected a pass in a win over Chicago.Im not proving anything, he told reporters Sunday. I told you all last year when I came in, I already won.Pierre-Paul is the first player to have three sacks and a fumble return for a touchdown of at least 40 yards since 1982, when the NFL first recognized individual sacks as an official statistic.His humility after the performance was just as impressive. He has been an inspiration to his teammates, who have marveled at his resiliency.Hes basically taken over these last two games, Giants linebacker Jonathan Casillas said. Ive been a fan of JPP since he came into the league, and knowing what hes been through, its so encouraging to watch him now.Pierre-Pauls TD was originally ruled an interception before being changed to a fumble.It was an interception, he said with a laugh. How else can you get seven points? The ball never touched the ground, so were going to call it an interception.The Giants recorded seven sacks on McCown, who said there are few players as tough to block as Pierre-Paul, who was limited in practice this week because of a knee injury.He is a big dude and a heck of an athlete, and he plays hard, McCown said. You have those types of things where he has a very rare skillset for that size and speed. That is what gives him an edge.Here are a few other takeaways from the Giants win:NEW ROLE? Beckham had a 59-yard punt return TD called back by a holding call, but that didnt stop him from celebrating in the end zone.As he mimicked the powder toss made famous by Cavaliers star LeBron James, a close friend, Browns punter Britton Colquitt informed him the play was coming back.I told him, `I dont care, I still ran it back on you, Beckham said.Giants coach Ben McAdoo wouldnt commit to Beckham taking over return duties.DOWN BROWNS: Cleveland is four losses from history, and first-year coach Hue Jackson may have reached a breaking point.Jacksons eyes teared up when discussing a nightmarish season that is almost over. The Browns are trying to avoid joining the 2008 Lions as the only 0-16 teams, and Jackson is vowing his team wont be bad in 2017.I am not feeling like this next year, Jackson said. There is no way. Uh-uh. No. I am a fighter, and I dont lose many fights.WAR OF WORDS: Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor and Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins wont be exchanging Christmas cards.Despite Pryor catching six passes for 131 yards, including a 54-yarder, Jenkins ripped him on Twitter following the game with a vulgar post. Pryor answered back with praise, writing you are a great corner. Solid defender! You played a solid game. Good luck rest of year.Earlier in the week, Jenkins said Pryor, a converted quarterback, wouldnt be a challenge and called him another receiver, just bigger.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Yannick Ngakoue Jersey . The Masters champion and winner of last weeks Australian PGA has a three-round total of 14-under 199 at Royal Melbourne. "Im in a really good position for tomorrow," Scott said. Jacksonville Jaguars Jerseys . In what the team had called a retirement, Ryan said Thursday that he is resigning as chief executive of the Rangers in a move effective at the end of this month. http://www.officialjacksonvillejaguarspro.com/Nick-foles-jaguars-jersey/ . Lack made 20 saves for his third shutout of the season as the Canucks blanked the St. Louis Blues 1-0 in the first post-Olympic game for both teams night. Leonard Fournette Jersey . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. Telvin Smith Jersey . Now, with Game 6 set for Fenway Park and an 8:07 p.m. ET first pitch, the Detroit Tigers face the unenviable task of having to beat the Boston Red Sox twice, on the road, to advance to the World Series. AKRON, Ohio -- Only four players have finished in the top 30 at each of the PGA Tours five biggest tournaments so far this calendar year.One of them is Dustin Johnson, the recently crowned U.S. Open champion, who is playing arguably the most consistent golf of any elite player in the game. Another is Louis Oosthuizen, the past Open Championship winner, who tends to play his best golf at the most opportune times. Then theres Jason Day, the worlds No. 1-ranked golfer, who seemingly plays his best golf all the time.The fourth member of this quartet? Well, his image might not spring to mind right away when considering the best players at the best tournaments, but Scott Piercy is starting to make that kind of name for himself.For some reason, I thought I should be there now, Piercy said in trying to explain these performances. I always feel like I should be there. Its a matter of doing it.So far, he has been doing it.There was a T-17 finish at the WGC-Cadillac Championship; a T-18 at the WGC-Dell Match Play; a T-29 at the Masters; a T-23 at the Players Championship; and the best result of his career at a big-time tourney, a share of second place at the U.S. Open two weeks ago.All of which should make Piercys position entering the final round of this weeks WGC-Bridgestone Invitational all-too-familiar territory.Following rounds of 69-69-67, Piercy is tied for the lead with Day, searching for a breakthrough victory that would serve as the biggest of his lengthy PGA Tour career.His first win came at the Reno-Tahoe Open -- opposite this weeks Bridgestone event -- five years ago. He tacked on a Canadian Open title the next year and a win at the Barbasol Championship last year -- another opposite-field tourney.A triumph here at Firestone Country Club on Sunday, though, would clearly trump the others, as far as status.After I won in Canada, he explained, I kind of felt like the next step was to win a WGC or a major, then I got hurt (with an elbow injury) after that, so I kind of regressed. Then I came back and I won an opposite field. So hopefully the next step is kind of getting back. I feel like a better player now than I was when I got hurt. Any time you can win a WGC event, I think it takes things to a new level.He has alreaddy started to reach that level.dddddddddddd Piercy was ranked 114th in the world at this time last year, but is currently 43rd -- and will take another major leap with another strong finish.If theres some irony to his consistent play at the biggest events this season, its that he has yet to seriously contend anywhere, other than that U.S. Open runner-up. He finished 3 strokes behind Johnson that week, leaving Oakmont with more positive vibes than negative ones.I was really excited about the finish, and the fact that the second major in a row Ive been in the top five going into the weekend and held up under the pressure of it, he said. Overall, it was all good. We can always make things a little bit better it seems like, but overall I was really excited.That would offer some confidence in being paired with the games top-ranked player in the final round.Much of that stems from last years BMW Championship, when Piercy was also paired with Day in the final round. Although his playing partner ran away with the title that day, Piercy birdied his final four holes to finish in sole possession of third place and clinch a spot in the Tour Championship.Has really good length off the tee; hes a good ball striker; and then when he gets hot on the putting green, thats when he wins tournaments, Day said in his scouting report. Hes not scared to shoot a low one. Hes not scared to go up against the best and play well. I cant worry about him. Ive got to worry about myself and try to hit fairways and greens tomorrow, so thats the biggest thing for me is to really find something there and hopefully be there by the end of the day.Day might not be worried about Piercy, but Piercy wont be worried about Day, either. Hes experienced enough in these situations, playing alongside world-class players, that he knows he belongs.Ive won three times, Piercy said. I know I can do it. Its just doing it on a consistent basis like a Jordan [Spieth] or a Jason and those guys. Can I do it? Yeah. Its just, consistently, can I do it more often?During Sundays final round, he might start finding out the answer to his own question. ' ' '