Dallas Cowboys clinch playoff berth

With a win over the Vikings on Sunday, coupled with a Redskins loss, the Dallas Cowboys, at 11–1, became the first team to clinch a playoff berth.

With a win over the Vikings on Sunday, coupled with a Redskins loss, the Dallas Cowboys, at 11–1, became the first team to clinch a playoff berth. With a win over the Giants next week, they can clinch the NFC East title.

Dez Bryant’s go-ahead touchdown grab in the fourth quarter helped Dallas to a 17–16 win over the Vikings in Minnesota, bringing the team’s road record to 6–0. Ezekiel Elliott added 86 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

That meant that if Washington or Tampa Bay lost, Dallas would be in.

The Cowboys hold a three-game lead in the NFC East over New York, and their lead over the Redskins is now out to four games in the loss column.

– Kenny Ducey