Cowboys remember leading Vikes 17-0, not losing 27-17

(Dallas-AP) -- It's been a long and treacherous road for the Dallas Cowboys. To get out of the first round of the playoffs they'll have to learn to win on it, something they haven't done since

Wednesday, January 5th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Dallas-AP) -- It's been a long and treacherous road for the Dallas Cowboys. To get out of the first round of the playoffs they'll have to learn to win on it, something they haven't done since the season opener.

Dallas' seven-game road losing streak was a big contributor to why the Cowboys crawled into the playoffs at 8-8. Their season would be over if they hadn't gone 7-and-1 at home. Dallas coach Chan Gailey says his team won't be spooked Sunday when they play Minnesota in the Metrodome. That was the site of a 27-17 loss two months ago.

Gailey expects the Cowboys to remember they were beating the Vikings 17-to-0, even after missing field goals on their first two drives. Nothing went right for the Cowboys after that. Smith left with a broken hand suffered on his first touchdown, and Troy Aikman suffered a concussion on the first drive of the third quarter.