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Baxter Bits: Cowboys at Vikings
By Russell S. Baxter
Special to ESPN.com
The Cowboys make their way north to the Metrodome for the second time this season looking to re-establish their winning ways in this rivalry as these storied franchise collide in the postseason for the sixth time and the second time in 4 seasons.
|  | | | Randy Moss could be matched up against Deion Sanders when the Vkings and Cowboys play Sunday. |
Nine weeks ago on a Monday evening at the Metrodome (Week 9), Chan Gailey's club jumped out to a 17-0 second-quarter lead as Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns before breaking his hand just before halftime. But Minnesota bounced back with 27 unanswered points as Vikings QB Jeff George finished the night with 218 yards passing and three touchdowns (1 INT) as Dennis Green's team rallied for a 27-17 triumph.
Despite this season's earlier setback, the Cowboys still own a 13-9 overall advantage in the standings (including a 4-1 mark in postseason play).
Including playoffs, the Cowboys still own an impressive 9-3 road record in this series dating back to 1961, including a 3-2 mark at the Metrodome dating back to 1982.
As previously noted, this marks the sixth postseason meeting between these clubs, with Dallas prevailing in four of their previous five battles, posting wins in the 1971 (20-12) and 1975 (17-14) NFC Divisional Playoffs, both at Minnesota's Metropolitan Stadium, as well as the 1977 NFC Championship Game (23-6) and the 1996 NFC Wild Card Game (40-15), both at Texas Stadium, while Minnesota claimed a 27-10 win in the 1973 NFC Championship Game at Irving.
Including playoffs, six of the last eight overall meetings between these clubs (dating back to 1983) have gone to the visiting team.
Numbers: In 16 postseason games in the 1990s, the Cowboys are 12-4, committing 12 turnovers in 12 wins and 15 turnovers in 4 losses. Including playoffs, the Cowboys have allowed 33 TD passes in their last 24 games dating back to '98, this after giving up just nine touchdown passes in their first nine contests in '98. The Cowboys have totaled 24 interceptions in 16 games in '99, this after totaling just 14 interceptions in 16 games in '98. They have outscored the opposition a combined 87-28 in the first quarter in 16 games in '99. The Cowboys have rushed for 120 or more yards in three straight games. Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith has rushed for 100 or more yards in three straight games. Including playoffs, CB Deion Sanders has scored 22 touchdowns in 6 different ways (8 interceptions, 6 punt returns, 3 kickoff returns, 3 receptions, 1 rushing and 1 fumble recovery) in 11 NFL seasons (1989-99).
The Vikings have allowed 18 sacks and committed just 16 turnovers in 10 wins, while committing 23 turnovers and allowing 24 sacks in 6 losses in '99. The Vikings have 23 takeaways in 10 wins, seven takeaways in six losses in '99. They have committed two or more turnovers in eight straight games. QB Jeff George has thrown two or more touchdown passes in eight of his last 11 games. They have totaled four or more sacks in three straight games, totaling 16 sacks in those three contests. Vikings RB Leroy Hoard has scored at least one touchdown in three straight games.
The Coaches: Cowboys head coach Chan Gailey is 0-1 in postseason play, while Vikings head coach Dennis Green is 2-6 in postseason play.
Postseason History: The Cowboys are making their NFL-record 26th overall playoff appearance (22nd since merger) and are 32-20 in postseason play (31-16 since merger), while the Vikings are making their 4th consecutive and 22nd overall playoff appearance (20th since merger) and are 15-21 in postseason play
(13-19 since merger).
Things To Look For: When last the Cowboys visited the Metrodome, Cowboys' RB Emmitt Smith was having a field day before breaking his hand and Dallas looked helpless without him and eventually QB Tory Aikman in the lineup. While some feel the rejuvenated Vikings will make amends for last year's surprising postseason failure, it remains to be seen if Dennis Green's defense can rise to the occasion.
Etc.: The Cowboys have played in an NFL-record 52 postseason games and have posted an NFL-record 32 postseason victories. With a loss, the Cowboys (20) would tie the NFL record for most postseason losses (21), currently owned by the Minnesota Vikings (21). The Cowboys have lost seven straight road games. The Vikings have won three straight games and are 8-2 in their last 10 games after opening 2-4 in '99. The Vikings have won five straight home games. The Vikings were 47-13-1 at home (including playoffs) in the months of November, December and January from 1967-81 at Metropolitan Stadium. However, the Vikings are 52-33 (including playoffs) in the months of November, December and January from 1982-99 at the Metrodome.
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