Friedrich wins to lead German 4-man bobsled sweep
WINTERBERG, Germany, Dec 16, (AP): Francesco Friedrich drove his four-man sled to a World Cup victory on Sunday, as Germany continued its perfect start to the bobsled season with a medals sweep.
Friedrich had a two-run time of 1 minute, 48.57 seconds to edge fellow German driver Johannes Lochner, who finished in 1:48.93. Nico Walther capped the German sweep by winning bronze in 1:49.03.
Germany has won golds in all six World Cup bobsled races this season, winning 13 of 18 medals.
Elana Meyers Taylor of the US drove a four-woman sled for the second consecutive day, teaming with Tiffeny Parker, Lauren Gibbs and Lake Kwaza and finishing last in the 18-sled competition. Justin Olsen had the top US finish, placing 14th.
The World Cup bobsled and skeleton tour resumes racing Jan 4 in Altenberg, Germany. Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (left), makes a catch as New York Jets cornerback Trumaine Johnson defends during the first half of an NFL football game on Dec 15 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (AP)
for the second straight game.
Watson finished 22 of 28 for 294 yards and the two scores to Hopkins.
Fairbairn gave the Texans a 3-0 lead with a 41-yard field goal with 9:23 left in the opening quarter – after the Jets appeared to catch a bit of a break. On third-and-7 from the 9, Henry Anderson grabbed hold of Watson, who somehow slipped out of the defensive end’s grasp and had some room to run. But the officials called the play over because they ruled Watson’s forward progress had been stopped, and Anderson was credited with a 13-yard sack and forcing Houston to settle for the field goal.
Jason Myers tied it at 3 for the Jets with a 26-yard field goal with 2:01 remaining in the first quarter. Houston regained the lead on Fairbairn’s 32-yarder early in the second quarter.
The Texans got the ball back a few minutes later when J.J. Watt forced the ball out of McGuire’s hands and Angelo Blackson recovered it. Two plays later, Watson launched a deep pass for Hopkins, who got past Darryl Roberts – who was turned around on the play – and adjusted to the ball in the end zone for a touchdown that made it 13-3 midway through the second quarter.
Fairbairn’s 53-yarder with 4:35 left made it 16-3 for the Texans.
Darnold gave the Jets some life just before halftime with a terrific drive during which he made plays with his legs – a 10-yard run on third-and-3 – and arm – passes of 16 yards to Chris Herndon and 26 to Robby Anderson. On first-andgoal from the 5, Darnold scrambled a bit before stepping up in the pocket and zipping a pass to Anderson for a touchdown to make it a 16-9 game.
But, Myers then missed his second extra point of the season – and 14th of his career.
Darnold picked up where he left off in the first half, leading the Jets on another touchdown drive, driving New York down the field and capping another impressive possession with a 13-yard toss to Andre Roberts. Darnold kept the drive alive on third-and-10 from the Jets 40 with a laser-like throw to Robby Anderson for 20 yards.
Myers followed by missing his second straight extra point as Houston remained ahead 16-15. Fairbairn’s 49-yarder increased the Texans’ lead to 19-15 with 12:33 left.