So here’s what is coming up for the Cowboys: The meaningless finale at Washington, a bye week, then they’ll welcome the wild-card winner to Texas Stadium the second weekend in January.

The layoff means there’s plenty of time for Dallas to try working out the kinks that have developed the last few weeks.

Since beating the Packers on Nov. 29, the Cowboys have struggled in three straight games. Yet they managed to win two of them.

Against Carolina, Dallas overcame Owens’ injury, Roy Williams’ suspension and the drama surrounding Tony Romo’s thumb injury and his love life to get in position to clinch home-field Sunday.

“This weekend’s results give me a great feeling of pride in the job that has been done by our players and our coaching staff,” team owner Jerry Jones said. “Wade Phillips has done an outstanding job of guiding our team this year and keeping our players focused on meeting the challenges they faced on a weekly basis.

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“I am particularly pleased for the Dallas Cowboys fans who have given us so much support,” Jones added. “They are truly deserving of being able to share in the experience of bringing NFL playoff football back to Texas Stadium. We know that our home crowd will make a positive difference in the outcome of our games in January.”

The Cowboys haven’t hosted a playoff game since 1998 and haven’t won a postseason game since 1996. Phillips is 0-3 as a head coach in the playoffs and Romo is 0-1 as a starter.

Circumstances are different this time around — for the team, the coach and the quarterback.

Only one thing is guaranteed: If they can win two games at Texas Stadium, they’ll be headed to Arizona for the Super Bowl.

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