Redskins return to NFL play-offs

Lemar Marshall made an interception to set up touchdown

The Washington Redskins booked their place in the NFL play-offs for the first time in six years with a 31-20 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Redskins' fifth straight win dashed the hopes of the Dallas Cowboys, who lost 20-10 at the St Louis Rams.

Jerome Bettis scored three touchdowns as the Pittsburgh Steelers took the AFC's final wild-card berth with a 35-21 win over the Detroit Lions.

Kansas City Chiefs miss out despite a 37-3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil, who guided the St Louis Rams to Super Bowl success in 1999, confirmed his retirement after the game at the age of 69.

The Minnesota Vikings finished their season with a 34-10 win over the Chicago Bears, who have already booked their place in the play-offs.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took the NFC South crown with a 27-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints.

NFL great Brett Favre may have ended his career on a winning note, helping the Green Bay Packers record a 23-17 win over the play-off-bound Seattle Seahawks.

While Vermeil bows out, Washington coach Joe Gibbs, who came out of retirement in 2004, is hoping to steer the Redskins to a fourth Super Bowl crown under his leadership.

Wild-card match-ups:

Saturday, 7 January:
Washington Redskins v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jacksonville Jaguars v New England Patriots

Sunday, 8 January:
Carolina Panthers v New York Giants
Pittsburgh Steelers v Cincinnati Bengals

Already through to the Divisional play-offs, to be played on 14 and 15 January, are Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks.