Cowboys riding high in Super Bowl chase

EZEKIEL ELLIOTT scored the winning touchdown and rushed for 137 yards as Dallas Cowboys ground out a 24-22 win against Seattle Seahawks in the wildcard round of the NFL playoffs. The running back was the Cowboys’ main offensive weapon alongside quarterback Dak Prescott who threw for 226 yards, including a touchdown, and ran for another score. But Dallas, who will play New Orleans Saint or Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round, also benefited significantly from a hamstring injury to Seahawks kicker Sebastian Janikowski shortly before half-time. With only punter Michael Dickson to take shots at goal, Seattle switched their tactics to avoid unnecessary kicks as the Australian was clearly more comfortable drop-kicking than place-kicking. But Janikowski’s absence eventually came back to haunt the visitors when Dickson fluffed a late onside-kick attempt, wrecking any hope of a last-gasp comeack. ‘Absolutely, we had to change,’ said Seattle head coach Pete Carroll. ‘We were in a different mode. We were still ready to kick a field goal if we had to but we were going to do what we could to avoid it and not make it an issue.’ Indianapolis Colts also advanced to the divisional round after quarterback Andrew Luck threw for two touchdowns in a 21-7 win at Houston Texans. The Colts, who will meet Kansas City Chiefs, had only one win from their first six games this season but a turnaround has seen them victorious from 10 of their past 11. Running back Marlon Mack also played a key role rushing for 148 yards and a touchdown, while the Colts defense was outstanding in limiting Houston to a single score. Los Angeles Chargers won 23-17 against Baltimore Ravens and will play New England Patriots.