Cowboys, Steelers Try to Make Themselves at Home

Now that qualifying for the playoffs is out of the way, the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers can think about something bigger: home field in their conferences.

The Cowboys, seeking to become the first team with three straight Super Bowl titles, clinched the NFC East on Sunday with a 31-19 victory at Philadelphia. Emmitt Smith rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns as the Cowboys (11-2) didn’t miss quarterback Troy Aikman in handing the Eagles their fourth successive defeat.

But Dallas couldn’t gain on the red-hot San Francisco 49ers, who routed Atlanta 50-14 as Steve Young accounted for five touchdowns.

“For us to stay on pace with San Francisco, we have to win the next three,� quarterback Rodney Peete said. “But this was a big win for us. It means a lot (clinching the division), but we still have three games to go. Our goal is to get back to the Super Bowl and win it. We’re a step closer.�

Pittsburgh (10-3) secured at least a wild-card berth in the AFC and took the Central Division lead by routing Cincinnati 38-15. Bam Morris rushed for 108 yards and a pair of touchdowns and Rod Woodson returned one of Pittsburgh’s two interceptions for a TD.

The Steelers have won five straight for the first time since 1983, and moved one game in front of Cleveland, which lost to the New York Giants 16-13.

“Right now, we’re playing very well,� All-Pro cornerback Woodson said. “This team is so different. You can’t even compare it to our teams the last few years that lost in the first round.�

The AFC team that won the last four conference crowns, only to lose in the Super Bowl, stayed alive in the playoff chase. The Buffalo Bills scored 35 second-half points in beating Miami 42-31.

In other games, it was Denver 20, Kansas City 17 in overtime; Detroit 34, Green Bay 31; Arizona 30, Houston 12; Indianapolis 31, Seattle 19; New England 24, the New York Jets 13; Tampa Bay 26, Washington 21 and New Orleans 31, Rams 15.

On Monday night, the Raiders are at San Diego. The week’s action began with Minnesota’s 33-27 overtime win over Chicago on Thursday night.