DALLAS at MINNESOTA

* Story line: The Cowboys, once a postseason power, stumble into the playoffs at 8-8, a wild-card team lucky to still be playing after losing two of their last three. The franchise has never before qualified for the playoffs under the current format at worse than 10-6. The Vikings, who went 15-1 last season and took the Atlanta Falcons into overtime of the NFC championship game before losing, return to the playoffs in much less impressive fashion as a wild-card entry. Their season was unexpectedly salvaged by quarterback Jeff George, who led his new teammates to eight victories in the Vikings’ last 10 games after the team had fallen to 2-4 under quarterback Randall Cunningham.

* Key offensive stat: Dallas running back Emmitt Smith and Minnesota receiver Cris Carter scored 13 touchdowns each, tied for second in the NFC behind Washington’s Stephen Davis.

* Key defensive stat: Dallas had the third-best defense in the conference, but after going through an impressive span of five games in which an opponent was unable to score more than 13 points, the Cowboys finished the season by giving up 71 points in three games.

* Potential star of the game: George has waited his entire career for this opportunity. Now we’ll see what he can do with it.

* But keep an eye on: Dallas running back Smith. When these teams met in the regular season, he rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns in only 13 carries before having to leave the game because of a broken right hand.

* History says: The scariest thing for the Vikings is their most recent meeting with the Cowboys. Minnesota came back to win, 27-17, only because Smith and quarterback Troy Aikman were injured. The Vikings can score, but can their weak defense stop the other side from scoring more?

* Injury update: Cowboy cornerbacks Kevin Mathis (knee) and Kevin Smith (hamstring) have engaged in limited practice. Mathis is given the better chance of playing. Also for Dallas, listed as questionable are linebacker Quentin Coryatt (hamstring) and wide receiver Ernie Mills (thigh). Viking linebacker Ed McDaniel (sprained knee) has practiced. Tackle Matt Birk (ankle) is probable.

* And the winner is: Minnesota. Smith runs wild, but proves to be Dallas’ only reliable weapon as George shoots down the Cowboys.