Eagles... 44, Cowboys... 6

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles overcame daunting odds to capture an NFC wild-card spot with a dominating 44-6 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

The Eagles (9-6-1) will play at NFC North champion Minnesota (10-6) next weekend.

So much for the preseason Super Bowl hype in Dallas. A drama-filled off-season looms, as owner Jerry Jones confronts more questions about Coach Wade Phillips’ job and perhaps considers a major overhaul.

In a game that became do-or-die for both teams before kickoff, after Tampa Bay lost to Oakland and Chicago lost to Houston, the Eagles outplayed the error-prone Cowboys (9-7) in every facet. Donovan McNabb threw for two touchdowns and ran for one, and Brian Dawkins forced two fumbles that were returned for scores.

Quoteworthy: “I want to thank the Raiders and Texans. They did a heck of a job.” -- Andy Reid, Eagles coach