DALLAS, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Billy Cundiff kicked four field goals Sunday as Dallas clinched its first postseason berth since 1999 with a 19-3 victory over the New York Giants.
The Cowboys (10-5) endured three straight 5-11 seasons under Dave Campo before owner Jerry Jones lured Bill Parcells out of retirement. Parcells became the first coach in NFL history to put four teams in the playoffs, and it came at the expense of the club where he enjoyed his greatest success.
Parcells won a pair of Super Bowls with the Giants and also has taken the New England Patriots and New York Jets to the postseason.
In the first quarter, Quincy Carter tossed a 36-yard scoring pass to rookie tight end Jason Witten.
Carter completed 17-of-25 passes for 240 yards and became the first Cowboys quarterback to pass for over 3,000 yards in a season since Troy Aikman in 1997.
Giants quarterback Jesse Palmer, in his second NFL start, completed 17-of-31 for 191 yards.
