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With quarterback Robert Griffin III and fellow rookie Alfred Morris leading the way, the Washington Redskins beat Dallas 28-18 to capture the last NFL play-off berth.
In the final game of the regular season, Morris rushed for a career-best 200 yards and three touchdowns to help the Redskins claim the NFC East division crown in a must-win game against their bitter division rivals.
The victory was Washington's seventh straight, and their post-season berth was the reward for a remarkable turnaround since they opened the season with just three victories in nine games.
Morris finished the regular season with 1,613 rushing yards, surpassing the Redskins' single-season record of 1,516 set by Clinton Portis.
"My goal wasn't to break the record. My goal was to make the play-offs," Morris said.
"I couldn't have imagined to come in here in my rookie year and do what I've been able to do."
Griffin, still hampered by the lingering effects of a knee injury, completed just nine of 18 passes for 100 yards, but still rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown.
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo completed 20-of-37 passes for 218 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions as Dallas missed the play-offs for the third straight time.
Next week the Redskins will host the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the play-offs.
The Seahawks secured the NFC's fifth seed with a win over St Louis, while the NFC West crown went to division rivals San Francisco - who beat Arizona 27-13 and gained a first-round bye.
Green Bay were also trying for that bye, but fell short in Minneapolis, where Adrian Peterson narrowly missed the NFL's single-season rushing record but played a key role in a thrilling 37-34 Vikings win over the Packers.
Peterson rushed for 199 yards - nine fewer than he needed to break the record of 2,105 yards set by Eric Dickerson in 1984.
Peterson, a year removed from a career-threatening knee injury, said it was "bittersweet" to miss the record, but rejoiced in accomplishing the "ultimate goal" of reaching the play-offs.
Minnesota's victory spelled the end of Chicago's play-off hopes, after the Bears' win had extinguished the slim chances of reigning Super Bowl champions the New York Giants.
The Giants did what they could, routing Philadelphia 42-7. Shortly after they walked off the field, Chicago knocked them out with a 26-24 victory over Detroit - then the Bears saw their hopes end with the Vikings' win.
 

PLAY-OFFS SCHEDULE
(Hong Kong times)
	JANUARY 6
	AFC wildcard game Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) at Houston Texans (12-4), 5.30am
	NFC wildcard game Minnesota Vikings (10-6) at Green Bay Packers (11-5), 9am
JANUARY 7
	AFC wildcard game Indianapolis Colts (11-5) at Baltimore Ravens (10-6), 2am
	NFC wildcard game Seattle Seahawks (11-5) at Washington Redskins (10-6), 5.30am
JANUARY 13
	AFC divisional game Wildcard game winners at Denver Broncos (13-3), 5.30am
	NFC division game Wildcard game winner at San Francisco 49ers (11-4-1), 9am
JANUARY 14
	NFC divisional game Wild-card game winners at Atlanta Falcons (13-3), 2am
	AFC divisional game Wild-card game winners at New England Patriots (12-4), 5.30am
JANUARY 21
	AFC championship game TBC
	NFC championship game TBC
FEBRUARY 4
	Super Bowl, New Orleans AFC champions v NFC champions, 2.30am


Washington Redskins beat Dallas Cowboys to win NFC East title

Washington running back Alfred Morris rushes through the Dallas defence in the Redskins victory, which sealed the NFC East title. Photo: AFP

Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris help Redskins to NFC Division title

Rival QBs Tony Romo and Robert Griffin shake hands. Photo: AFP

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Redskins back in business as the Seahawks, Vikings and 49ers also advance to the play-offs


Washington Redskins beat Dallas Cowboys to win NFC East title

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Redskins back in business as the Seahawks, Vikings and 49ers also advance to the play-offs

Redskins back in business as the Seahawks, Vikings and 49ers also advance to the play-offs