European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 16, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Sunday december 16. 1990 the stars and stripes a a Page 19 week 15 in the National football league one by Dave Goldberg a football writer it seems like forever since the Dallas cowboys played an important game in december. It was five years ago. Now comes another one that Jimmy Johnson is calling the most important the cowboys have played in his two seasons As their coach. He s not overstating it. If the cowboys beat Phoenix at Texas stadium sunday it evens their record at 7-7 and puts them in the Middle of the race for the final two pfc wild card spots. That a a remarkable turnaround from last seasons t-15. The cardinals who beat Dallas 20-3 in october come in with three straight wins and a 5-8 record which in the new watered Down format still gives them an outside Chance at the playoffs while All three pfc divisions have been clinched Only Atlanta in the pfc has been eliminated officially. Late saturday Washington tried to wrap up its wildcard spot at new England which had lost 11 straight and was 1-12. Houston 7-6 at Kansas City 9-4 Cincinnati 7-6 at raiders 9-4. Complimentary games that will have a major effect on the acc Central and West races. The oilers were stomped 34-0 by the chiefs last sea son and Warren Moon got into a fight with Derrick Thomas an incident that Stilt rankles Houston More important is the division face where the oilers bengals and Steeles Are 7-6. A in the West Kansas City can win the division by winning its last three a at san Diego and Chicago after this one that a because the chiefs swept the raiders who finish at Minnesota and at Home with san Diego. The chiefs and raiders can Clinch wild card playoff spots with victories this week. The bengals have a problem going into the coliseum Boomer Esiason has a Groin injury and May not play. If he does no to Erik Wilhelm will Start. \ their other problem is the leagues 26th-rated defense 23rd  run which is what Marcus Allen and to Jackson do  Bay 6-7 at Philadelphia 7-6 if the packers win they tie the eagles for a playoff spot and gain a head to head tiebreaker. Its not Likely not with Anthony Dilweg at quarterback facing Reggie White and his friends. This is one of those weeks the up and Down eagles should be up after losses in Buffalo and Miami that both could have been wins. Unless. Randall Cunningham did t practice monday or tuesday because he has a sore knee. Hell Proba i Bly play but if he does no to the packers get to see their old Friend Jim Mcmahon. San Francisco 12-1 at rams 5-8 monday night revenge time in a series where the Home team is at a disadvantage. The rams have beaten the 49ers in four of the last six regular season games at candlestick Park including the. 28-17 decision three weeks ago that is san Francisco a Only loss. But the 49ers have won nine of the last 10 at Anaheim and their last 17 on the Road and the revenge Factor should avoid any letdown Here. Los Angeles probably will miss the playoffs for Only the second time in John Robinsons nine year tenure Robinson May Experiment with Marcus Dupree who has carried Only six times since being activated nov 1l Pittsburgh 7-6 at new Orleans 6-7 this could be a playoff elimination game for both teams. A a. The Steeles Are in that three Way tie at the top of the acc Central but Are at a disadvantage in tiebreakers with Houston and Cincinnati. The saints stayed alive in the a huddled pfc wild card picture by beating the rams last week As Gill Fenerty became the latest in a line of successful new Orleans run Ning backs. This is As close to a Homecoming As there can he for Steeles quarterback Bubby Brister who is from Alexandria la. The Steeles failed to score a touchdown in six of their 13 games but averaged 30 Points a game in the seven others. Up Marcus alien 32 and the raiders come Down from their monday night win Over Detroit to play Cincinnati sunday Seattle 7-6 at Miami 10-3the sea Hawks have rebounded from an 0-3 Start and Are in the Middle of the acc playoff race. But it has t been easy. They have won four of five games the first four of those games decided on the last play of the game last week s 20-14 win Over Green Bay was clinched when a Packer pass fell incomplete in the end zone with 1 08 left Miami which has clinched a wild card berth remains in the running for the acc East title no matter what Buffalo does because it beat the Bills in their first meeting and would hold the tiebreaker if it heats Buffalo again next week that Means the dolphins can win the division by winning their last three games. Chicago 10-3 at Detroit 4-9 Mike Ditka said he Wasny to upset at the bears 10-9 loss in Washington last week then stormed out of a news conference monday that loss May Cost the bears a week off in the playoffs forcing them into the wildcard round. Minnesota 67 at Tampa Bay 58 the last time the Vikings won outdoors was in Tampa a year ago. Otherwise they be lost eight straight outdoor games and 12 of their last 13, including a 23-15 decision to the giants last week that broke a five game winning Streak. They probably can to afford another slip if they want to make the playoffs and Wade Wilson May soon be Back a at quarterback. A. The bucs Are playing their first game under Richard Williamson the interim coach who replaced the fired Ray Perkins. A v v Atlanta 3-10 at Cleveland 2-11 the Falcons have lost 17 straight on the Road. They have backup Scott Campbell who threw three  week at quarterback. Arid  favored which indicates How fur the Browns have fallen. San Diego <6-7 at Denver 3-10 speaking of the mighty falling. The Broncos the acc super Llowd representatives three of the past four years Are one of Only live teams eliminated from the playoffs although they Lve been competitive every week. Now John 1 1 Way is trying to rally the troops for the Iasi three meaningless games. A you should play like a professional and go out and do  you can do Quot he said. The chargers remain in the playoff picture though a loss Here would just about kill them. Indianapolis 5-8 at new York jets 4-9 the Colts beat the jets 17-14 in the Hoosier dome. There a a  Rover by at the Meadowlands where Bruce co Siet has Heen critical of no. 1 draft Choice Blair Thomas the question whether Thomas will play Hurt. The Colts no. 1 pick was the top Overall jell George lie has been inconsistent. Buffaloes Bruce Smith sacked him four times last  on an television Houston at Kansas City 7 . Sunday Cincinnati at los Angeles raiders 10 . Sunday Chicago at i. Troit 2 . Monday san Francisco at Las Angeles rams 3 . Tuesday. A a a radio a. A a a Pittsburgh at new Orleans 7 . Sunday Green Hay at Philadelphia la .  at Detroit 2 . Monday san Francisco at Ranis 3 . Tuesday