Packers, Steelers and Cowboys head to play-offs
ByReuters
Updated 22/12/2014 at 08:40 GMT
The Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys booked their places in the playoffs after victories on Sunday while the New England Patriots earned a bye in the first round of the postseason.
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) is congratulated by defensive end Mike Neal (96) after he sacked Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh McCown (not pictured) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium (Reuters)
Image credit: Reuters
Sunday's results meant that defending champions, the Seattle Seahawks, also secured a place in the play-offs even before their late game on Sunday against NFC West rivals the Arizona Cardinals.
The Packers gained their berth with a 20-3 win at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but they will have to wait until next week to see if they can clinch the NFC North title.
Green Bay will face divisional rivals the Detroit Lions in the final week of the regular season with both teams on 11-4 records ahead of the showdown.
The Lions, who are also assured a playoff place, beat the Chicago Bears 20-14.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 31 of 40 passes for 318 yards and a touchdown and running back Eddie Lacy rushed for 99 yards including a 44-yard touchdown run.
The Steelers, six-time Super Bowl winners, have been absent from the postseason for the past two seasons but Mike Tomlin's team ensured they will be in the mix this year thanks to a 20-12 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger directed the Steelers (10-5) to their third consecutive win, passing for 220 yards and a touchdown.
The most emphatic statement came from the Dallas Cowboys who crushed the play-off-bound Indianapolis Colts 42-7.
With the win the Cowboys finish top of the NFC East for the first time since 2009.
With another impressive performance Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo surpassed Troy Aikman to become the franchise's all-time leader in passing yards.
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2014-15 NFL, Dallas Cowboys, Tony Romo (AFP)
Image credit: AFP
Romo set the record on a touchdown pass to tight end Jason Witten which put the Cowboys up 35-0. He now has 32,971 yards passing in eight full seasons.
Aikman, who retired in 2000, had 32,942 yards in his one-team, 11-year career.
Romo completed 18 of 20 passes for 218 yards and four touchdowns before given a rest in the fourth quarter.
The Cowboys' win meant the Seahawks would advance regardless of the outcome of their final two regular season games.
The Patriots had already wrapped up the AFC East title before Sunday's game at the New York Jets but they secured a bye with a 17-16 win.
New England will have home field advantage throughout the playoffs if the Denver Broncos lose to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday or if the Patriots win at home to Buffalo next week.
The Patriots struggled in the first half with quarterback Tom Brady sacked four times. A one-yard touchdown run by Jonas Gray in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference.
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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) is sacked by New York Jets corner back Antonio Allen (39) and New York Jets linebacker Demario Davis (56) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium (Reuters)
Image credit: ERC
The Houston Texans (8-7) kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 25-13 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Randy Bullock converted a franchise record six field goals and running back Arian Foster threw a touchdown pass in the win.
The New Orleans Saints are out of the playoffs after losing 30-14 at home to the Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons will now take on the Carolina Panthers, who beat Cleveland 17-13, for the NFC South title.
Cleveland quarterback Johnny Manziel left late in the first half with a hamstring injury and did not return.
The Buffalo Bills remain without a playoff appearance since 1999 after a 26-24 loss to Oakland knocked them from contention.
The Miami Dolphins were eliminated despite a 37-35 win over Minnesota. Afterward, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross announced coach Joe Philbin would return in 2015 despite having failed to reach the playoffs in three seasons.
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