The Washington Redskins can earn a playoff berth by beating the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. But like several other matchups on the final day of the regular season, the outcome will hinge as much on who does not play as on who does.

The Cowboys (13-2) clinched home field in the National Football Conference playoffs last Sunday. They have little to gain by going all out against Washington (8-7) and will probably limit the risk to injured players like Tony Romo (thumb).

One player who will not be taking part is Terrell Owens, who sustained a high ankle sprain last week. Owens scored all four touchdowns in the Cowboys’ Week 11 victory against the Redskins, taking advantage of a secondary weakened by the absence of safety Sean Taylor. Taylor, who missed the game with a knee injury, was shot and killed a week later. His death, and a season-ending injury to quarterback Jason Campbell, might have led the Redskins to pack it in.

Instead, they won three in a row. Now, buoyed by the steady play of Todd Collins, who has not thrown an interception, and Clinton Portis, who has 376 yards from scrimmage in the last three games, the Redskins control their playoff destiny.

“I don’t know of a team — I haven’t been a part of one — that’s overcome this much,” Coach Joe Gibbs told reporters. “It’s almost like they’re going to overcome whatever’s out there.”