NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Cowboys and 49ers rekindle a rivalry going back three-plus decades

By Ronnie Eastham

ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 16: Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers runs after making a catch during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. The 49ers defeated the Cowboys 23-17. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 16: Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers runs after making a catch during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. The 49ers defeated the Cowboys 23-17. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Dallas Cowboys and San Franciso 49ers meet this weekend to cap off the NFL playoffs Divisional Round.  Last week, I wrote about these two in their respective matchups in the Super Wildcard Round and was comfortable in picking them both to win.  This week is a bit different though, as I’m writing this, I don’t know who I’m going to pick.  For the record, I was a perfect 6 – 0 last week picking the winners, so let’s see if I can keep it rolling.

The Cowboys looked impressive in their win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but let’s be honest, the Bucs had no business even being in the playoffs.  The Cowboys have been up and down this season, which concerns me.  The 49ers have just been dominant for the most part; however, I’ve heard some fans compare this 49ers defense to the likes of the ’85 Bears or the 2000 Ravens.  San Francisco’s defense is very good and ranked number one in the NFL this year, but let’s pump the breaks on greatest-ever comparisons.

In fact, over the last five games, including the playoffs, the 49ers allowed an average of 342.6 yards per game.  Of the eight remaining playoff teams, this ranks sixth among them, only the Bengals and Cowboys have allowed more over that span.  Interesting that the Cowboys are also giving up yards, given all the talk about how great their defense is as well.

Both these teams can score and put up the yards and I don’t buy into any talk of a possible defensive struggle for this game either.  That said, this will come down to which team can make the big defensive play, whether that be a timely sack late in the game or a huge turnover and defensive score.

This one will be fun, and I can’t wait.  Having grown up in the late 80s and early 90s, these Cowboys/49ers games were must-see TV and it’s one of the best rivalries in the NFL.

When it comes right down to picking this one, I’m going with the Dallas Cowboys in my NFL playoffs upset of the week.  The over/under here is 46 and the 49ers are favored by four, so it’s not much of an upset but I picked the favorite in the other three, so going with this one as my upset pick.

Dallas comes away with a win, 27 – 23.

Home/Dallas Cowboys