Cowboys land in playoffs, seek NFC East title
That speech Bill Parcells gave about how to win a championship finally seemed to sink in for the Dallas Cowboys.
Just in time, too, now that the club is playoff-bound.
The Cowboys have clinched at least a wild-card berth, thanks to the combination of their victory over Atlanta on Saturday night and losses by Minnesota and Carolina on Sunday.
Dallas (9-5) still has plenty to play for the next two weeks – like the division title and maybe even a first-round bye.
The Cowboys lead the NFC East by one game over Philadelphia and play the Eagles at home on Christmas. Winning that game would lock up Dallas’ first division crown since 1998. The finale is at home against Detroit.
If the Cowboys win the last two games and the New Orleans Saints lose once, Dallas would have the luxury of a first-round bye, something that hasn’t happened since 1995, the franchise’s last Super Bowl season.
“We’re in the race now,” Parcells said following Dallas’ 38-28 victory over Atlanta. “We’ll be in it until the last day.”
Parcells has now guided the Cowboys into the playoffs in two of his four seasons, having also done so in his first year, 2003. He hasn’t won a playoff game for Dallas, though, and the franchise hasn’t won one since 1996.
After his team’s victory Parcells said he’s “really proud of them” and gave them several days off. Their only obligations until Wednesday are visiting hospitalized children during the day today, then the team’s holiday party tonight.
The hype for the Philadelphia game will certainly include more talk about Terrell Owens’ ugly departure from the Eagles.
Farve passes Marino
Brett Favre passed Dan Marino to become the league leader in completions with a 21-yard pass to wide receiver Carlyle Holiday in the Packers’ game against Detroit.
Favre, who has also started a quarterbacks-record 255 consecutive games, tied Marino’s mark with a 5-yard pass to Ahman Green before completing his sixth straight pass to Holiday on the next play, giving him 4,968 for his career.
Injury report
Baltimore quarterback Steve McNair left the Ravens’ victory over the Cleveland Browns after his right hand was accidentally stepped on by Cleveland’s Andra Davis. McNair was taken to the locker room for X-rays, which were negative.
•The Jaguars took a hit when running backs Fred Taylor and rookie Maurice Drew left the game with leg injuries.
•Carolina lost defensive end Mike Rucker in the second quarter against Pittsburgh to a knee injury.
•Dolphins WR Marty Booker twisted his ankle in the third quarter of Miami’s loss to Buffalo and did not return.
•Cleveland RB Jason Wright sustained a “pretty severe” knee injury, according to coach Romeo Crennel.
•Jets receiver Laveranues Coles apparently hurt his back in a win over Minnesota, leaving the game temporarily. He returned, and was later taken out with the game wrapped up. He was taken for X-rays.
•Eagles safety Michael Lewis suffered a MCL sprain against the Giants.