The NFL and the NFL Referees Association have agreed on a new seven-year collective bargaining agreement that avoids a potential work stoppage and use of replacement officials.

The NFL’s last foray into replacement officials ended in embarrassment for the league when a botched call and comic confusion in a prime-time game led to the end of a lockout that marred the first three weeks of the 2012 season.

The NFL is preparing for the possibility of replacement officials in the 2026 season, proposing a rule change for one season that would allow the replay center in New York to correct any “clear and obvious” mistakes by on-field officials in case of a work stoppage.

They were once at the top of the NFL.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson looks to throw a pass against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)BALTIMORE – Lamar Jackson directed four scoring drives during the decisive first half, and the surging Baltimore Ravens beat the New York Giants 27-13 Sunday to gain control of their own fate in the AFC playoff chase. Baltimore's fourth straight victory, combined with Pittsburgh's win over Indianapolis, lifted the Ravens past the Colts in the AFC wild-card hunt. With a victory in Cincinnati next week, the Ravens (10-5) will earn a playoff berth for the third year in a row. The Giants (5-10) lost their third straight and were left with only a miniscule chance of making the postseason.

(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)Dwayne Haskins gets his second consecutive start for Washington with quarterback Alex Smith out again because of a right calf injury. Philadelphia receiver DeSean Jackon is active against Dallas after missing two months with an ankle injury. Harrison being inactive against the Rams comes as the Seahawks welcome defensive tackle Bryan Mone back from injured reserve following a lengthy stint because of an ankle injury. The Rams were without rookie running back Cam Akers, who had already been ruled out with an ankle injury. Washington: QB Alex Smith, RB Lamar Miller, WR Terry McLaurin, OT David Steinmetz, LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, LB Thomas Davis.

Daniel Jones threw for 244 yards and ran for a touchdown, Wayne Gallman Jr. had two TD runs and the Giants beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27-17 on Sunday, making their case to win the dreadful NFC East. The Giants improved to 3-7 under first-year coach Judge with their second straight win, snapping an eight-game losing streak against Philly. Boston Scott had a 56-yard TD run early in the third quarter but the Eagles couldn’t get closer. Jones ran untouched 34 yards for a score to cap a well-executed 85-yard drive to start the game and the Giants led the entire game. But the Giants quickly answered with Gallman’s 1-yard TD run.

Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson (24) warming up before the start of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Landover, Md. Jones absorbed contact on a blindside sack, held on to the ball, and Logan Ryan intercepted Alex Smith not long after to seal a 23-20 victory against Washington. "That's been a focus of mine: I obviously know the importance of holding on to the ball," Jones said. Allen injured his left ankle late in the first quarter, forcing Smith into just his second NFL game since gruesomely breaking his right leg in November 2018. UP NEXTThe Giants host the Philadelphia Eagles in their second-last NFC East game this season, while Washington visits the Detroit Lions.

WASHINGTON – New York Giants wide receiver Golden Tate won’t play Sunday at Washington in the aftermath of seemingly calling out quarterback Daniel Jones and the coaching staff. Tate did not travel Saturday with the Giants for the game. “He’s made a lot of plays over these last couple of years, and I certainly have a lot of trust in him as a player,” Jones said. Tate has been targeted 29 times this season, making 22 catches for 226 yards and two touchdowns in seven games. Washington on Saturday activated receiver Steven Sims off injured reserve, a big boost to its passing game.

He recognized Monday night’s 25-23 victory by his Tampa Bay Buccaneers wasn’t very artistic. But Tampa Bay (6-2) had to sweat it out. But he fumbled when hit by Blake Martinez and rookie Darnay Holmes recovered at the Tampa Bay 12. ... Evans led Tampa Bay with five catches for 55 yards, and Gronkowski wound up with four receptions for 41 yards. New Orleans beat Tampa Bay in the season opener 34-23.

Wentz threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Boston Scott with 40 seconds remaining and the Philadelphia Eagles overcame an 11-point deficit in the final seven minutes to beat the New York Giants 22-21 on Thursday night. Wentz led a depleted offense to 22 fourth-quarter points only to miss a 2-point conversion at the end in a 30-28 loss to Baltimore on Sunday. Wentz threw a perfect strike to Scott and the backup running back made an excellent catch to give Philadelphia the lead. We played a great fourth quarter and at the end we didn’t finish.”Questionable play-calling cost the Eagles early in the fourth quarter. Using a no-huddle often on the opening drive, Wentz led the Eagles 75 yards and ran in from the 1 for his fifth TD rushing to make it 7-0.

Neither Tate nor Ramsey spoke publicly Monday. Ramsey and Tate fought shortly after the final whistle Sunday in the Rams' 17-9 victory over the Giants in Inglewood. Judge said the Giants probably wouldn't discipline Tate, while McVay said the Rams would handle the matter internally. Ramsey and Breanna Tate, a former track athlete at Ole Miss, broke up last year, reportedly while Breanna Tate was pregnant with their second child. Golden Tate made his displeasure with Ramsey known on social media, and it boiled over in their first on-field meeting since then.

Jared Goff hit Cooper Kupp for a 55-yard touchdown with 6:56 to play, and the Rams grinded out a 17-9 victory over New York on Sunday before the wild fight between Ramsey and Tate. Los Angeles managed 240 total yards and went nearly 45 minutes between its two touchdowns, but it was enough. Williams said he recognized the Giants' play call from earlier in the game, allowing him to anticipate the throw. Graham Gano kicked three field goals in the Giants’ first game in the Los Angeles area since 1994. Los Angeles had racked up at least 400 total yards in each of its first three games.

(AP Photo/Tony Avelar)The Latest on Week 4 in the NFL (all times EDT)___8:35 p.m.Carson Wentz has thrown his NFL-worst seventh interception of the season for the Philadelphia Eagles. ___7:05 p.m.Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s 1-yard sneak that gave Buffalo a 23-16 lead over Las Vegas early in the fourth quarter. ___7:20 p.m.Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is back guiding the Bills offense after injuring his left shoulder late in the first half at Las Vegas. ___6:40 p.m.Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen headed to the locker room after falling on his left wrist. The high-scoring start to the 2020 NFL season continued Sunday with several games featuring lots of points and very little defense.

Players gather around an injured person during the first half of an NFL football game between the New York Jets and the San Francisco 49ers at a nearly empty MetLife Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)The San Francisco 49ers contacted the NFL on Monday about the conditions of the playing surface at MetLife Stadium after several players went down with injuries in a victory over the New York Jets. The new artificial surface was used in a game for the second time on Sunday. The Niners will play again at MetLife Stadium on Sunday when they visit the New York Giants. Giants coach Joe Judge says his team held several walkthroughs and two scrimmages on the field before the opener, with no one complaining about the surface. “But as far as MetLife field, I think it is fine.