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ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys are going to the playoffs for the first time since 2009 after Tony Romo threw four of the Cowboys' five touchdown passes in a 42-7 laugher against Indianapolis. Romo was almost perfect this afternoon, completing 18 of his 20 passes for 218 yards and no interceptions before sitting out the fourth quarter. He broke Troy Aikman's team record for passing yards as the Cowboys clinched the NFC East while ending Philadelphia's playoff hopes.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Packers wrapped up an NFC playoff berth as Aaron Rodgers threw for 318 yards and a touchdown to lead Green Bay to a 20-3 win over Tampa Bay. Rodgers found Jordy Nelson nine times for 113 yards and a score to help the Packers improve to 11-4. The victory sets up a match-up between Green Bay and Detroit in the season finale next week with the winner capturing the NFC North title.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers clinched their first playoff berth in three years and put themselves in position to win the AFC North by downing the Kansas City Chiefs 20-12. Ben Roethlisberger (RAWTH'-lihs-bur-gur) threw for 220 yards and a touchdown for the Steelers, who will face Cincinnati next week for the AFC North title. Roethlisberger's TD toss was a 3-yard strike to Brown that gave Pittsburgh a 17-6 lead late in the third quarter.
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Seattle tops the NFC West at 11-4 after Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch led the Seahawks' offense in a 35-6 pounding of Arizona. Wilson threw for 339 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 88 yards and another score. Lynch rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns, including a 79-yard scoring burst in the fourth quarter.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cam Newton returned from a game off after suffering two fractures in his back to lead Carolina to a 17-13 win over Cleveland. Newton threw for a touchdown and ran for another, less than two weeks after being injured in a car accident. The Panthers improved to 6-8-1 and set up a winner-take-all against the Atlanta Falcons for the NFC South title next Sunday.
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