The Dallas Cowboys Clinch NFC with four games remaining in the National Football League regular season, the Dallas Cowboys have clinched the National Football Conference (NFC) for the first time since 1998. The Cowboys did it in dramatic fashion by coming back in the dying seconds to win their twelfth game of the season over the Detroit Lions. The Cowboys seem to have the ability to win even if they have to invent ways to do so.
The Lions appeared to have the Cowboys just where they wanted them using a balanced offensive attack to keep Tony Romo and the best NFC offense off the field. However, it was not to be as the Lions surrendered a fourth quarter scoring drive in the final 2 minutes and 15 seconds to secure the victory for the Cowboys.
The Lions appeared to have the Cowboys number as their running duo of Kevin Jones and T.J. Duckett combined for 152 yards, the most allowed by the Cowboys this season on 32 attempts with three touchdowns. The Lions passing game accounted for 248 yards. On top of this the Lions didn't turn the ball over the entire game. Despite the impressive statistics the Dallas Cowboys found a way to secure the come-back win.
With the score 27 to 21 for the Lions the Cowboys had to drive 60 yards in the final 57 seconds, without the benefit of a time-out, to score the winning touchdown. With just 18 seconds left in the game a 16 yard touchdown pass from Romo to Witten clinched the game and the NFC title for the Cowboys.
This season the Cowboys have the NFL's second-ranked offense and eighth -ranked defense which have all contributed to their NFC-leading record. Add to that, Tony Romo's quarterback rating is second to only Tom Brady and Terrell Owens is the NFC's leading scorer among non-kickers. The Cowboys have a 12-1 record, seven game winning streak and are undefeated on the road thus far this season. All of these impressive statistics have led the Dallas Cowboys to the NFC title, their first since 1998.
With just three weeks left in the season the Cowboys have just three more opponents to face. First up will be a home game against the Philadephia Eagles followed by two road games, the first against the Carolina Panthers and the second against the Cowboys' long time rival the Washington Redskins.
It's been a long road back but the Dallas Cowboys are on track with NFC title and a path to Super Bowl XLII.
