LANDOVER, Md. — The Dallas Cowboys finally have a handle on their December doldrums.
Now it’s time to work on January.
The Cowboys returned to the playoffs Sunday night, pitching a 17-0 shutout in their 100th meeting with the Washington Redskins and setting up an NFC East title showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles.
After starting 0-2 this month, Dallas recovered to win back-to-back December games for the first time since 2003. The latest victory eliminated the New York Giants from playoff contention.
“I think we showed the December jinx is not here,” said receiver Roy Williams, who caught a touchdown pass in the first quarter. “Last year, we were in the same situation and didn’t get it done. 2009’s a different year.”
But what about 2010?
The Cowboys (10-5) haven’t won in January since 2000 and haven’t won a playoff game since 1996. Next week, they will host the Eagles (11-4) in a regular-season finale with the division crown on the line. The loser will settle for a wild-card berth.
“I look at Philadelphia as a playoff game,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. “It’s so meaningful to us.”
Tony Romo completed 25-of-38 passes with a touchdown, and he had his first interception in five games — a reversal from his turnover sprees of Decembers past. Jason Witten had a career-long 69-yard reception to set up a score, and the defense posted the Cowboys-Redskins rivalry’s first shutout since Dallas’ 27-0 road win on Dec. 14, 2003.
Dallas holds a commanding 59-39-2 lead in the 50-year-old series. The Cowboys didn’t allow Washington (4-11) to score a touchdown this year — the other meeting was a 7-6 win on Nov. 22 — and they played their part in the Redskins’ first winless season in NFC East play since 1994.
“I think they’ve learned to play under pressure,” Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. “It’ll come in handy here when we get to the playoffs.”
