NFC EAST Playoff-bound Dallas still has hopes of bringing home divisional crown

The Cowboys have to beat New Orleans and Philadelphia needs to lose.
IRVING, Texas (AP) -- The Dallas Cowboys may not be done collecting milestones just yet.
Already, the have enjoyed tremendous accomplishments this season by breaking out of their also-ran status to post a winning record and make the playoffs.
With one game left in their debut season under coach Bill Parcells, the Cowboys can still be NFC East champions, earn a first-round playoff bye and be at home for the second round. That's a trifecta they haven't hit since 1995, their last Super Bowl season.
For it to happen, Philadelphia must lose at Washington on Saturday night and Dallas must win at New Orleans on Sunday. If both don't occur, the Cowboys are guaranteed no worse than a wild-card game at Minnesota, Green Bay or Carolina.
Will know before game
The Cowboys will know what's at stake before kickoff in the Superdome. Even if the division prize is off the table, there will be another lure: laying claim to the greatest single-season turnaround in team history.
Another victory would make them 11-5, the mirror image of the 5-11 mark they've been stuck at the last three seasons. Quaint as that might be, it's also significant because the six extra wins would match the franchise's most.
The last time Dallas improved by six games was 1990, coach Jimmy Johnson's second season. While that club laid the foundation for greater success, they missed the playoffs that year. It also happened under coach Tom Landry in 1983, but that was in part because the strike limited the Cowboys to 6-3 in '82.
"Should we not have our expectations up now?" Parcells said Monday, alluding to his season-long message that the team must continue aiming high.
"You can't sit around here and accept kudos very long, or admire your work. I learned that from boxing. If you admire your work too long in boxing, usually something happens and it's not good news."
Defensive tackle La'Roi Glover said "there's no pinch-me stuff" going on in the locker room. Players recognize what they've done -- and what can still happen.
"We've got a shot, a heck of an opportunity here," he said. "Believe it. It's right here in your face."
First playoff since 1999
The Cowboys clinched their first playoff berth since 1999 by beating the New York Giants 19-3 on Sunday. A few hours later, the Eagles lost in overtime to San Francisco, keeping alive Dallas' division dreams.
"Washington could do us a huge favor by playing their best ball of their lives," Glover said. "I think they can do it."
Across the locker room, running back Troy Hambrick all but sang "Hail to the Redskins."
"I have a lot of trust in Washington," he said. "They're one of the greatest teams out there!"
Even if Philadelphia reverts to form and wins a third straight division title, the Eagles already have done the Cowboys a big favor. The mere chance of playing for something big on Sunday will drive them all week and prevent them from looking forward to the playoffs.
"It makes a big difference to our whole mindset," quarterback Quincy Carter said. "Everybody is going to be focused on the Saints. We can't be thinking about Minnesota or Green Bay now."
Continue momentum
The biggest thing Dallas needs against New Orleans is to continue the momentum it's built the last two weeks.
Since losing three of four, the Cowboys have bounced back with two convincing wins, albeit against bad teams. Still, their top-ranked defense has allowed just three points and Carter continues to manage the offense efficiently by avoiding interceptions.
Parcells said he's starting to expect big plays from the defense and he's finding more to like about his offense. They're fourth-best in the NFL in time of possession and they've achieved the ultimate in balance -- 492 runs and 492 passes.
Also, the special teams hit 10 of their 11 goals against the Giants, and the team has committed just five penalties over the last two games.
"I'm happy about the opportunity," Parcells said, "but we've still got a lot to do."