American Football: Flawless Favre rounds up Cowboys

(GETTY IMAGES)

Brett Favre kept his Super Bowl dream alive in emphatic fashion by throwing four touchdown passes to lift the Minnesota Vikings to a crushing 34-3 win over the Dallas Cowboys in their divisional playoff on Sunday.

Receiver Sidney Rice pulled in three of Favre's touchdown passes for the Vikings who will visit the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship game next Sunday.

The 40-year-old Favre, the oldest starting quarterback in playoff history, threw for 234 yards to continue his outstanding season.

"This is what I came back for -- this is what the team expected - to be in the playoff. We had to be confident and we had to play outstanding football. It was a great win for us, in all our phases," Favre told reporters.

The quarterback was expertly protected by his line against a Cowboys defense that went into the game in impressive form.

"Probably the most fatigued or tired I got today was celebrating," said Favre.

"I tip my hat to our guys, they were outstanding up front.

"When you are 40 years old, let's be honest, if you take a pounding, something is going to give. Our guys have been outstanding. I was concerned (about the Cowboys defense)," he said.

In the end, it was the Vikings' defensive line that was ruthless, sacking Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo six times.

The hits had an impact as Romo fumbled three times and threw an interception, his most turnovers in a game since the second week of the season.

"It's not rocket science, when the front four are pressurising you it makes it difficult," Romo said.