For the first time since 1996, the Dallas Cowboys have advanced in the NFL playoffs. Next stop: Minnesota.
The Cowboys' 34-14 rout of Philadelphia on Saturday night, giving them a three-game sweep of their NFC East rival, sends them to the Metrodome for a meeting with Brett Favre and the Vikings (12-4) next Sunday.
In the AFC, the fifth-seeded New York Jets played error-free ball in frigid Cincinnati to beat the AFC North champion Bengals 24-14 Saturday afternoon. Cincinnati (10-7) has not won a playoff game since 1990.
The Jets (10-7) must wait until Sunday's game between Baltimore and host New England before finding out where they go next weekend. If the Patriots (10-6), who went 8-0 at home, beat the Ravens (9-7), New York will go to top-seeded Indianapolis next Saturday night, and the Patriots will play next Sunday at San Diego (13-3). If Baltimore wins, the Ravens visit the AFC South champion Colts (14-2) and the Jets are at the AFC West-winning Chargers.
"Just keep trying to get better and eventually things will go your way," quarterback Tony Romo said. "Going out there and playing the way we have lately is very exciting. If we just keep going forward, we got a chance."
So do the Jets.
Now, with their stingy defense and versatile running game, they look as formidable as Ryan has claimed they are.
"This was a great team effort," Ryan said after rookie Shonn Greene ran for 135 yards and a touchdown, and quarterback Mark Sanchez, also a rookie, did not have a turnover. "We're a good football team. If people don't believe that, they soon will."
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press