The more things change, the more they stay the same. From 1970 to now, the 49ers and Cowboys have met 8 times in the playoffs. Six of them NFC Championship games.
- 1970 NFC Championship Game – Cowboys 17-10
- 1971 NFC Championship Game – Cowboys 14-3
- 1972 NFC Divisional playoffs – Cowboys 30-28 (fuuuuck)
- 1981 NFC Championship Game – 49ers 28 -27 (huzzzzzzah!!)
- 1992 NFC Championship Game – Cowboys 30-20
- 1993 NFC Championship Game – Cowboys 26-17
- 1994 NFC Championship Game – 49ers 38-28
- 2021 NFC Wild Card playoffs – 49ers 23-17
- 2022 NFC Divisional playoffs – ?????
Dallas holds a 5-3 advantage, but the 49ers have won the last 2 meetings. Sure, the gap is 17 seasons, but 2-0 is 2-0. Dallas even holds a one game lead overall at 19-18-1. So, time to even this shit up.
I think Dallas is pretty much a paper tiger, but they do have, at times, a pretty solid pass rush. They don’t get a lot of sacks, but they do get sustained pressure most of the time. But this is the same team we played on the road last year, and took to the woodshed. With Jimmy G at the helm.
So, if the Niners can pay a clean game I think we take this one as well. As usual, Dallas has a ton of play-makers. Pollard and Elliott had 1,800 yards between them, CeeDee Lamb has ~1,400 yard receiving, Micah Parsons has 13.5 sacks, and DeRon Bland has 5 picks.
Which leaves Dak Prescott. He’s had a season of injuries and inconsistency. He missed 5 games with a thumb injury and still threw a league-high 15 picks to go with 23 TDs. Still and all, Prescott looked pretty sharp last night. And if not for the FOUR missed extra points, the game would have been further out of reach.
Keep the pressure up, and Dak makes mistakes. You can say that about most, but it is especially true with Prescott. The weather should be fine by Sunday. Bring it on.
Here’s the playoff schedule. From the first game to the last . . .
Saturday, Jan. 21
- (4) Jaguars at (1) Chiefs (-8.5), 1:30 pm (NBC) – Chiefs kick off their playoffs with what could be a closer game than I originally thought. Lawrence is playing pretty well, even though he came out throwing picks up the wazoo. They’ll prolly cover but not win. KC on to the AFCCG. Especially if Lawrence goes off on another interception-fest.
- (6) Giants at (1) Eagles (-7.5), 5:15 pm (Fox) – Like the Niners and Seattle, Philly looks to beat the Giants 3x. I don’t know. The Giants, and Daniel Jones, especially, looked pretty good last weekend. Philly is in for a tough game. I think the Giants pull off the upset.
Sunday, Jan. 22
- (3) Bengals at (2) Bills (-5), 12:00 noon (CBS) – The rematch of the game that never was. The Damar Hamlin recovery has been fantastic, and the Bills have been through the wringer with it, but this is now gonna be the shootout that everyone thinks it will be. I think the Bills prevail, but I’m not nearly as confident as I was before the Bills struggled mightily against a depleted Dolphins team that made a boatload of mistakes early and should have been buried by the half.
- (5) Cowboys at (2) 49ers (-4), 3:30 pm (Fox) – Here we are again. The Niners played these guys a year ago yesterday, and beat them as Dallas called a QB draw on with 14 seconds left without any timeouts, and couldn’t spike the ball in time to run another play from our 23. Oooops. Don;t think it will be as close this time. Niners win going away.
San Francisco 49ers Forever 
Wondered about ground game, and first look at PFR stats for Dallas, they gave 135 yds or more on ground each of 5 games they lost and like 8-9 games overall. hmmnn
I had Cowboys Defense in Fantasy Football and they actually rate right there with the 49ers sadly in stats Chuck and better in some stats including Sacks..
Even though we all feel the 49ers have the by far the best Defense in the lead this season (especially against the run) the ESPN Fantasy Ratings (league I was end) this was the final season ending ratings and stats for both teams..
#3 SF 49ers DST 20 int,10 Fumble recoveries,44 Sacks,3 TD Returns 156.00 fantasy points
#4 Cowboys DST 16 int,17 fumble recoveries,54 sacks,3 TD returns 153.00 fantasy points..
Dallas is always less than the sum of their parts. We just have to play clean.
Our run game is essential. Every team tries to force us out of it. Which is why I really like the quick passing game. It negates their pass rush, and forces their LBs to drop in coverage if we can hit enough early.
It worked in the 1st half, but Purdy just missed some passes that would have been big plays. And yeah, that has to do with his first time in the playoffs. But he got over his jitters in the 2nd quarter and got a better. Didn’t like al the FGs, but by the 2nd half, Purdy was cruising. Mainly because we came out running after Seattle adjusted to the short passes. When the run game clicks, then play action is viable.
One of the major differences between Jimmy and Brock is play action. Teams actually bite on it when Purdy does it. Jimmy was awful at play action.
We control our fate. Play a clean game and we should win.
Put pressure on him. That’s the key. He’ll throw picks if we pressure him.
Yep. Pressure is key. And we get 2 more days rest than they do . . .
Too bad Dallas will have to fly halfway across country to get their asses handed to them. Purdy is so much better than JimmyG that it’s not even close. Purdy actually executes Shanny’s offense. Shanny must have dusted off the part of his playbook that was bolted shut since he’s been in SF. Didn’t quite understand why the playcalls in first half vs. Seattle were 2:1 pass:run. That needs to balance more to run against Dallas in first half, IMO…
Actually, I liked the strategy. The Niners did it most of the time Purdy has been starting mainly because teams think we are gonna run run run to ease the burden on Purdy. But if he comes out and hits quick passes it loosens up the running game later. much like the Walsh philosophy of passing to set up the run.
It really depends on how teams line up. If the linebackers are playing up close to the line, we should pass over them. If the LBs play a little off the line, run.
Well one huge advantage for 49ers is the FG kickers, Robbie Gould actually knows that the football goes between the posts and has never missed a FG are extra point in his playoff career(Maher lol 😂 the new Steve Miss a Mile are Cody Parkey has the yips and don’t be surprised if Cowboys bring in another kicker for a tryout in the next couple of days.
It’s games like this that make championship teams. Like most here are saying play aggressive, limit mistakes(penalties), and execute, should give us enough to come out on top. I would really hate to lose this one but the reality is if we fuck it up we got no one to blame but ourselves. I feel we should beat em by at least 2 scores.
Yep. The addition of CMC has really opened up the options on any given play. Esp with Purdy back there. He evades pressure and finds open guys better than 3/4 of the vet QBs out there. Don’t want to heap too much praise early, but his shakey start last game was done with by the 2nd quarter. He was back on point once the 3rd quarter got rolling. Shanahan seems to have really opened up the short passing game to very good effect. He is mixing the passes and runs pretty successfully and the team is scoring. Granted, Purdy’s early struggles led to FGs but I think Brock is over his playoff jitters.
When you can get 12 yards on a checkdown at any given time, your offense can roll. Letting CMC get the checkdowns has really opened up the middle for Kittle.
The Cowboys to me are an up and down team.sometimes they play really good and other times they look like they don’t know what they are doing. I think this will follow the pattern of the last few games. The Niners will look average in the first half, and then come on strong late 2nd quarter and then cruise in the 2nd half
Breaking News..Tennessee Titans have hired 49ers Director of Personnel2017-2022Ran Carthon to be their new GM. It’s reported since he’s a minority the 49ers will receive two 3rd round comp picks from the Titans..
And I know it’s pretty certain unfortunately that the 49ers will lose DC Dmeco Ryans since he has 4 interviews this week but a nice comp package since he’s under the Rooney rule like McDaniel was.Niners have done well restocking loss draft picks they need.With more picks hopefully even higher would help the sting of losing him? Just be curious who the 49ers would go with for the DC next?But man I love Ryan’s but he’s a hot commodity that deserves a HC job for sure..
Jed should pay him.
Like Ryans, I think it would be someone internal.
From what I’ve seen, Niners are the most consistent team left in the NFC over Iggles, ‘Boys and NYG. Obviously there’s the ol’ *on any given Sunday* thing, but path to SB looks good for SF. Actually pretty amazing how 3 NFC East teams are in the final 4, considering it was only a season or two ago no East team had a winning record, if I remember correctly. Even more amazing how things went SF’s way by getting CMC mid-season and by Purdy coming up all Brady a la 2001.
I read a piece somewhere last week about Peters deciding to stay with us. The article said most likely because he will take over for Lynch when the time comes which if we win a super bowl might not be to long. he turned down 15 mil a year because he said he still had unfinished business. I have a feeling Ryan’s is gonna go to Texas. But it sure would be nice if he stayed another year
Winder I don’t see Ryans being interested in the Texans job at all.After going thru back to back Black head coaches the last 2 years u would think he would have major issues with how that organization is run.
I’m actually hoping now he might not like the fits at HC this offseason and wait a year before he puts his hat in the ring again..
Kat- you could be right about that but he spent a lot of years in that org and pretty sure he still has some love for them. I guess a lot of it is how much they want to pay also and how much of a say he would have.
Hmmm, Did you know Ryans interviewed for the Vikings HC job las February?
I don’t remember that.
Ryans actually sued the Texans for $10 million for maintaining a terrible field that caused him to tear his achilles and end his career. So i don’t think there’s any love lost there.
He settled out of court.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17806868/ex-lb-demeco-ryans-sues-nfl-houston-texans-2014-injury
Didn’t know that.
Hope Ryans sticks around too, and doesn’t make the mistake Saleh did of going to an organization that’s all screwed up. Being head guy is really hard, and so much depends on quality of GM that brings in players and co-ordinators/position coaches that work with them.
Saleh is in a pretty decent spot. At least the Jets are getting better. Wilson appears to be a washout though. Houston is a trainwreck. I would be crossing that destination off my list. I’m thinking Ryans may wait one more year and look for a better gig, but i’m just guessing.
I think they will give Saleh one more year to show marked improvement. NY teams are pretty quick to pull the trigger if they see a lull. It is a very tough market. I hope that is where Jimmy lands.
Decent spot? He’s in same division with Buffalo and Miami. 2 clearly better teams all set at QB while he’s stuck with Wilson, a “washout” of a draft pick as you say. That team is going nowhere fast, and he’ll probably have to take the rap for it.
Willie, they aren’t basing their progress on the teams in their division. They are basing their progress on their improvement from being a laughingstock for the past 12 seasons. 7-10 ain’t great, but Saleh has the Jets as a top 4 defense in yards given up and points allowed.
They almost made the playoffs this year. And if they are off Wilson, they can go and get Carr. Carr with a defense would be ideal for him. Or even Garoppolo. Saleh has a soft spot for him, I’m sure. Point being, they are close to being a playoff contender. The Jets haven’t made the playoffs since 2010 when Butt Fumble Sanchez was the QB.
Much like the SF Giants this season. They aren’t shooting to knock off the Dodgers or Padres, they just want a wildcard spot to get in.
What’s so odd about this season is last year the NFC West put 3 teams into the playoffs. This year it’s the used-to-be woeful NFC East. The last place Commanders almost made it.
The Rams went from the penthouse to the outhouse, Seattle staggered in, and the Cards folded.
The Giants improved 5 games from 4-13.
All those early draft picks are paying off.
Are the 49ers turning out to be the king of minority hirings then getting real nice draft comp picks when they leave? McDaniel,Saleh,Carthon,the dude with the Commanders( forget his name for GM? are somewhere upstairs) now DeMeco Ryans( please wait a year🙏)does help a depleted draft barrel..
? Why is Joe Montana wearing the number 19 next to Bill Walsh? I thought he only wore #19 with the Chiefs..
I think he got it in his first camp before he actually played in a preseason game.
I really believe HC searching should only be allowed the day after the SB.Guys like Ryans,Quinn,Moore and many others especially playoff teams should have all their FOCUS on game planning they’re next opponent then being distracted by 1-2 interviews during the playoff week.Thoughts?
I thought those were already the rules. Maybe I am forgetting what tampering means.
That applies to players, not coaches.
The only women I talk to need my credit card number first. 49er fans can only dream of rooting for a team with as much class and integrity as the Cowboys. There’s a reason we’re called Americas Team. It’s because Dallas earns wins and doesn’t need help from the refs like the Niners did against Seattle. They couldn’t even beat the Cowboys in the 1990s without Deion Sanders!
TMI, pal.
Yep, been doing more hookers and crack with Michael Irvin? Funny shit, fucktard.
Prepare to suck down some cow pies, mr. in-cell.
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