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.