ASHBURN - Guard Randy Thomas, receiver Antwaan Randle El and kick returner Rock Cartwright were among 10 players cut by the Washington Redskins on the eve of free agency. Cornerback Fred Smoot, defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin, running back Ladell Betts and backup quarterback Todd Collins were also released last night as the Redskins cleared salary cap space in the first major moves under the new brain trust of general manager Bruce Allen and coach Mike Shanahan.

MIAMI - A woman claims in a lawsuit filed only days before the Super Bowl that former Dallas Cowboys star Michael Irvin sexually assaulted her at a South Florida hotel, an allegation labeled a false attempt at “civil extortion” yesterday by Irvin’s attorney. The woman, identified only as “Jane Doe,“ filed the lawsuit Thursday in Broward County Circuit Court seeking unspecified damages for the assault that allegedly occurred July 4 or 5, 2007, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood.

IRVING, Texas—Wade Phillips is sticking around as coach of the Dallas Cowboys for two more years. Dallas won the NFC East for the second time in Phillips’ three seasons. The team also won its first playoff game since 1996 and the first in Phillips’ head coaching career. The Cowboys are 34-17 over his three seasons in charge. Only three NFL teams have won more games in that span.

IRVING, Texas—Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips stood before the disappointed Dallas Cowboys yesterday and gave them some encouraging words to take into the offseason. “Keep it the way it is,“ the message went. Jones and Phillips did not speak with reporters, but players shared the news—the tone being a clear indication Jones plans to pick up the team option on Phillips’ contract for next season.

“This is what I came back for.“ For the adrenaline rush. For the in-your-face touchdown. For another shot at the Super Bowl. Brett Favre wanted all of it, and now he’s got it.

MINNEAPOLIS - All those big-game demons that Tony Romo supposedly vanquished last week resurfaced at the worst possible time for the Dallas Cowboys. Romo lost two of his three fumbles and threw an interception to seal the Cowboys’ fate in a 34-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC divisional playoffs yesterday. Romo completed 22 of 35 passes for 198 yards, but the best individual season of his career was brought to a crashing halt. The Vikings sacked him six times and pressured him often. One of the enduring images of the day will be Romo slamming his fist to the turf in frustration as the game slipped away.

DALLAS (12-5) AT MINNESOTA (12-4) Time: 1 p.m. Line: Vikings by 2½ On the air: TV—Fox; radio—WRNL (910), 12:30 Inside slant: To Vikings fans, the Cowboys’ 13-year playoff drought didn’t seem so long. Dallas has five rings, five more than Minnesota, which hasn’t been to the Super Bowl since 1977. The Vikings usually find a way to self-destruct in big games. If the peaking Cowboys put serious heat on QB Brett Favre, his long-awaited meltdown could happen.

MINNEAPOLIS Brett Favre’s performance this season for Minnesota has defied much skepticism. He still has work to do. When the Vikings take the field for today’s playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys, the pressure for Favre to deliver a victory will never be more clear. “I know how difficult it is to get here. I know how difficult it is to go on,“ Favre said. “I’m sure that’s one of the reasons why I’m here, is to help this team advance.“

IRVING, Texas—Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber practiced, and coach Wade Phillips called it an “encouraging sign” that their leading rusher will be able to play in Sunday’s NFC second-round playoff game at Minnesota. Garcon said his mother heard from a family member Wednesday night. He received calls yesterday morning, letting him know some of his relatives were safe.

These aren’t the same old disappointing Dallas Cowboys. If anything, they’re starting to play like some of the really old versions. Tony Romo broke open a scoreless game with five straight scoring drives in the second quarter, sending Dallas past Philadelphia 34-14 Saturday night for the Cowboys’ first playoff victory since 1996.

ARLINGTON, Texas—Now the Dallas Cowboys have to figure out how to do it again. A week after shutting out Philadelphia to clinch the NFC East title and shaking some of their reputation for late-season lapses, the Cowboys (11-5) stay home for a rematch against their division rival tonight. It will be the first playoff game in Jerry Jones’ new $1.2 billion showplace stadium and a chance to end the 13-year postseason winless drought that is the longest in team history.

IRVING, Texas Tony Romo’s postseason memories with the Dallas Cowboys are filled with tears. There was that tearful apology to teammates after he botched the hold of a chip-shot field goal late in his first playoff game. And Terrell Owens tearfully defending the quarterback after Romo finished his other playoff loss with an interception in the end zone.

ARLINGTON, Texas—Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys had their way with the Philadelphia Eagles yesterday. Their reward: the NFC East title and the challenge of trying to do it again. Romo threw a pair of early touchdown passes and the defense took over from there, sending Dallas to a 24-0 victory and setting up a rematch at their new palace in the first round of the playoffs next weekend.

Jerry Jones flew home from last year’s finale in Philadelphia vowing to change the Dallas Cowboys. Although he considered that club as talented as any of his Super Bowl championship teams, they sure didn’t play like it. Torn apart by petty jealousies and personal glory, they not only blew a chance to cruise into the playoffs, they wound up missing out entirely after getting stomped 44-6 by the Eagles.

LANDOVER, Md.—The Dallas Cowboys returned to the playoffs last night, dominating their 100th meeting with the Washington Redskins and setting up an NFC East title showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles. Tony Romo threw for 286 yards, Jason Witten had a career-long 69-yard reception to set up a score and the defense pitched the rivalry’s first shutout in six years in a 17-0 win over the Redskins.