Why "they're" picking the Niners

[ElGatoGrande]

I see a lot of concern over the media, talking heads and anyone else picking against the Cowboys. I do not get it because they will actually settle this on the field tomorrow so why should we care what anyone else thinks?

This is the perfect matchup for many of these ex coaches and players because they're just human. Think they do not get tired of the "must discuss" Dallas Cowboys all the time? To them, the tail is wagging the dog. Some begin to hate the Cowboys because they dislike being forced to talk about them more than any other team.

I mean, c'mon, ask yourself this. The defending champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers, do they get discussed nearly as much as the Cowboys? Did Tom Brady, the QB that has thrown for more TD's and yards than any other this season, get discussed as much as Dak Prescott's slump? He is having a MVP season and gets more coverage in a Subway commercial. Think that doesn't wear on those ordered to talk about Dak and the Boys? It sure as hell would wear on me and I'd take my shots when I could. Like now.

This isn't a football team; it is its own reality show complete with the obligatory shot of the owner in every game and it doesn't matter where that game is played. He is the only owner in history that gets that.

The team is a poster child for marketing and promotion but that does not sit well with the ex footballers that are still about the game and not the show business game.

So, on one hand you have the forever hyped glitz and glamour Dallas Cowboys with stars a plenty and on the other this blue collar rabble from the land of wine and cheese perceived to be the old Packers or Steelers, so much tougher of body and mind than the Hollywood Dallas Cowboys.

This is a gift to them, it is two polar opposites, or at least they're trying to make it seem that way and the Bay Area Bullies are coming to teach the softer Cowboys a lesson in tough football. Ridiculous.

But they forget one thing, the uniform does not make the player. Inside those Cowboys uniforms are men just as tough as the tough guy Niners. They hit with the same authority and resolve and once that first kickoff starts sailing through the air, it is no longer about any of this chatter, and much from people we've never heard of before, it is a football game.

I don't care who they pick, I don't care who you pick or even who I pick. Tomorrow we return to the playoffs. The playoffs I took for granted for so many years as a right because we were the Cowboys. I bought in too.

The most interesting part of all of this is that the Cowboys aren't being called out as a team, their manhood is being questioned. Football is a tough man's game and to insinuate one man is not tough enough to beat the other, he lacks that most necessary ingredient required of a professional football player is absurd. A player cannot help it if another is bigger, faster, stronger or just more talented than he is, but he can match toughness.

This isn't the old Cowboys-Niners rivalry; this is the old Cowboys-Steelers rivalry of the 70's when blue collar steel mill grit played against Hollywood glitz and glamour. And toughness did not defeat those Cowboys, a couple of plays did.

If the Cowboys lose this, it will not be because they were not tough enough. They will be every bit as tough as the Niners. It will all come down to which team makes the plays when they need them the most.

And while this is about the media talking heads, two of the Niners tough guys, Bosa and Kittle, have talked and that can be a mistake. Players expect that from the media but tend to take it personally when coming from a player. I think Shanahan would have preferred them to be tough guys that don't talk.

This game is like the weather, everyone talks about it but no one does anything about it. Except those players wearing your colors will do something about it in less than 30 hours. They've been called out and not just by the media. They will respond.

Tomorrow the toughest team in the playoffs emerges much to the dismay of the talking heads. This just isn't a game, it is the first step and these men will be asking "who's next"?

It's irrefutable that this team has shown clear limitations and a glass jaw. They come up small in big games this year as well as the recent past,,, couple that with an opponent that has obvious strengths that match up with Dallas' perceived weaknesses and you've got conventional wisdom saying Dallas will lose.

Conventional wisdom is often wrong though and teams/players can change,,, at least we're hoping that's the case. That's the reason they booted the old coaches and brought in a new batch. Will they improve on the past regime and get past the Divisional round? or is that limitation already baked into the cake?

 

[jazzcat22]

Great QB (Dak) vs. Average QB... It's not a toss up.

Fixed it for you.

 

[kevinhickey]

I see a lot of concern over the media, talking heads and anyone else picking against the Cowboys. I do not get it because they will actually settle this on the field tomorrow so why should we care what anyone else thinks?

This is the perfect matchup for many of these ex coaches and players because they're just human. Think they do not get tired of the "must discuss" Dallas Cowboys all the time? To them, the tail is wagging the dog. Some begin to hate the Cowboys because they dislike being forced to talk about them more than any other team.

I mean, c'mon, ask yourself this. The defending champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers, do they get discussed nearly as much as the Cowboys? Did Tom Brady, the QB that has thrown for more TD's and yards than any other this season, get discussed as much as Dak Prescott's slump? He is having a MVP season and gets more coverage in a Subway commercial. Think that doesn't wear on those ordered to talk about Dak and the Boys? It sure as hell would wear on me and I'd take my shots when I could. Like now.

This isn't a football team; it is its own reality show complete with the obligatory shot of the owner in every game and it doesn't matter where that game is played. He is the only owner in history that gets that.

The team is a poster child for marketing and promotion but that does not sit well with the ex footballers that are still about the game and not the show business game.

So, on one hand you have the forever hyped glitz and glamour Dallas Cowboys with stars a plenty and on the other this blue collar rabble from the land of wine and cheese perceived to be the old Packers or Steelers, so much tougher of body and mind than the Hollywood Dallas Cowboys.

This is a gift to them, it is two polar opposites, or at least they're trying to make it seem that way and the Bay Area Bullies are coming to teach the softer Cowboys a lesson in tough football. Ridiculous.

But they forget one thing, the uniform does not make the player. Inside those Cowboys uniforms are men just as tough as the tough guy Niners. They hit with the same authority and resolve and once that first kickoff starts sailing through the air, it is no longer about any of this chatter, and much from people we've never heard of before, it is a football game.

I don't care who they pick, I don't care who you pick or even who I pick. Tomorrow we return to the playoffs. The playoffs I took for granted for so many years as a right because we were the Cowboys. I bought in too.

The most interesting part of all of this is that the Cowboys aren't being called out as a team, their manhood is being questioned. Football is a tough man's game and to insinuate one man is not tough enough to beat the other, he lacks that most necessary ingredient required of a professional football player is absurd. A player cannot help it if another is bigger, faster, stronger or just more talented than he is, but he can match toughness.

This isn't the old Cowboys-Niners rivalry; this is the old Cowboys-Steelers rivalry of the 70's when blue collar steel mill grit played against Hollywood glitz and glamour. And toughness did not defeat those Cowboys, a couple of plays did.

If the Cowboys lose this, it will not be because they were not tough enough. They will be every bit as tough as the Niners. It will all come down to which team makes the plays when they need them the most.

And while this is about the media talking heads, two of the Niners tough guys, Bosa and Kittle, have talked and that can be a mistake. Players expect that from the media but tend to take it personally when coming from a player. I think Shanahan would have preferred them to be tough guys that don't talk.

This game is like the weather, everyone talks about it but no one does anything about it. Except those players wearing your colors will do something about it in less than 30 hours. They've been called out and not just by the media. They will respond.

Tomorrow the toughest team in the playoffs emerges much to the dismay of the talking heads. This just isn't a game, it is the first step and these men will be asking "who's next"?

Nice way to light a fire under a team. Time to shut them up!

 

[jazzcat22]

They are picking the niners because they are a dang good team who has gone something like 7-2 to end the season.

They have a highly ranked offense and defense. They have a handful of really talented players and a good head coach.

I'm picking Dallas, because they are my team, and we have just as much talent if not more. We also have good coaches.

This is a set up to be a dog fight. If we can get a lead and force them away from their comfort zone we can win in dominant fashion. If we are forced to play their game it's gonna be a brawl. If the oline and QB fail us it'll be a long day.

Dallas finished the season 5-1, but that does not figure into to their agenda's.

 

[CouchCoach]

Hey, there are games this year, like Denver, where this team has come up small. And they lost to most of the decent teams they played this year.

That is fact, came up short in a few games and 4 of them are in the playoffs. Lost by 2, 10, 3 and 3 and beat 3 by 20, 6 and 25.

I think the Cowboys win this one by double digits. But that is just what I think because I like the Dallas QB and WR's against this secondary and I like the Dallas D against this QB.

 

[MountaineerCowboy]

Yeah it is time to go do it on the field. Don't lay an egg as in the past.
Speaking of talk, there has been nothing from the Cowboys this week as to talk or bulletin board material. Unless you take what Micah say about Lions don't get bullied. But he said it in a cool way.

As for SF, Nick Bosa talked some crap about Tyron and Le'al, but nothing really too outlandish.
All been fairly quiet.
It has been the media and SF fans talking crap more so than anyone else. Giving Dallas no respect at all. And yes they deserve some respect.
Most Dallas fans, as we seen posted on here are about the same as usual. Some feel good, some feel like we suck, as usual. Many in between.
Right now, I have no feeling about this game, good or bad, but slightly more good. Once I see the crowd, that may change. Hoping at least 80 -20 Dallas fans.

That's not exactly true.

Jayron Kearse had this to say about Kittle:

"I'm ready for the task, but he has to go against me, too," said Kearse, a pivotal Dallas defender in this weekend’s NFL playoff game. "I kind of get ticked off when I'm being asked 'Kittle this, Kittle that.' “He has to play me, too!”

I could see how Kittle would want to show that he's just on a different level. That could fire you up.

 

[Runwildboys]

You recently started a thread about the 49ers being the "bullies" who were either going to make us or break us. I agree with that sentiment. But that's just from a psychological standpoint. Our guys aren't going to cry to their mommies if they get punched in the mouth. They're gonna punch back. If they end up getting beat down, well that's that, but they're not gonna to tap out. Whatever the outcome of this game, it's not just the talking heads who are going to step back and either confirm or reevaluate their opinions. Every team in the league is going to take notice of who the Cowboys really are, one way or another.

 

[Diehardblues]

What impresses me is this 49er team is just 2 years removed from the Super Bowl.

That presents another QB and team which aren’t just trying to get over the hump. They’ve been there and know how to get it done with tough defense and running game with a QB good enough.

Cowboys have the firepower to win this game and their passing offense creates some matchup problems for them as well if we can protect Dak and he also needs to make some big throws.

To me the keys in the game for us is offensively establishing some running game to set up play action , converting 3rd downs and scoring TD’s in Redzone. And on defense slowing their running game so they don’t dominate TOP , DL creating some havoc with our pressure at LOS.

Turnovers will be a key stat. Can we avoid any stupid interceptions and fumbles and can we force a couple turnovers. If we can I like our chances.

 

[nalam]

Who is "we"? Some of these players have never played in a playoff game wearing the Cowboys uniform.

This is not the 2016 or 2018 team, it is the 2021 one and it is different from those other teams.

Dak’s only playoff game in 2016 comes to mind.

the obnoxious slow start in that game against GB was the main reason they got behind so much and then Dak and team rallied and tied the game and then the third down miracle catch by TE happened, ended in winning FG for GB.

So I think most of the pundits picking the niners are basing it on Dak’s playoff record and in general Cowboys tease…

As you say this is a different team , has shown to group together and pull it out during adversity . Lets see if they do it and keep doing it until the final victory.

 

[shabazz]

Average QB vs. Average QB... It's a toss up.

In this particular matchup, I'll take our guy over Jimmy G......all homerism aside

 

[CouchCoach]

That's not exactly true.

Jayron Kearse had this to say about Kittle:

"I'm ready for the task, but he has to go against me, too," said Kearse, a pivotal Dallas defender in this weekend’s NFL playoff game. "I kind of get ticked off when I'm being asked 'Kittle this, Kittle that.' “He has to play me, too!”

I could see how Kittle would want to show that he's just on a different level. That could fire you up.

Kittle said the Cowboys do not have an Aaron Donald and that is true but they do have a Diggs, Gregory, Lawrence and Parsons and he has a Garoppolo. I think Trey Lance sees his first playoff game tomorrow and Garoppolo doesn't finish the game.

 

[fivetwos]

Who is "we"? Some of these players have never played in a playoff game wearing the Cowboys uniform.

This is not the 2016 or 2018 team, it is the 2021 one and it is different from those other teams.

Oh I agree.

Much more so....the staff is way different.

But...the star is still there and so is Jerry.

Nationally, we are perceived as soft and weak and we are playing the tough 49ers.

I dont agree with it, just saying why I think SF is the trendy pick.

 

[CCBoy]

Here is an element that could have been much over looked as well...

Football Outsiders’ DVOA metrics paint a picture of two teams with comparable offenses and defenses, but the Dallas Cowboys have a clear advantage when it comes to special teams. When the game kicks off on Sunday, Dallas will need to maintain said advantage over the San Francisco 49ers in order to emerge victorious in the wild-card round...

The Cowboys check in as the sixth-best team in special team’s DVOA, and to put how good their coverage and return units are, remember this takes into account Greg Zuerlein’s 12 missed kicks on the season. Dallas ranks 19th in FG/XP DVOA due to those errors, and their kickoffs aren’t great either, landing 19th again. but two units in particular push them back up the overall ranking...

On the flip side, San Francisco ranks a lowly 26th in special teams DVOA. They rank 15th in FG/XP, 29th in kickoffs, dead last in kickoff returns and 15th in punt returns. Their one strong quality on teams is their punt and coverage game, where they rank No. 5.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/cowboys-biggest-advantage-over-49ers-165907290.html

 

[noshame]

THE BREAKDOWN

Dak in pocket Zeke up the middle= we lose
Use plays similar to 2016 = we win.

 

[jazzcat22]

That's not exactly true.

Jayron Kearse had this to say about Kittle:

"I'm ready for the task, but he has to go against me, too," said Kearse, a pivotal Dallas defender in this weekend’s NFL playoff game. "I kind of get ticked off when I'm being asked 'Kittle this, Kittle that.' “He has to play me, too!”

I could see how Kittle would want to show that he's just on a different level. That could fire you up.

I missed that comment by Kearse.

 

[cityochamps]

"The most interesting part of all of this is that the Cowboys aren't being called out as a team, their manhood is being questioned. Football is a tough man's game and to insinuate one man is not tough enough to beat the other, he lacks that most necessary ingredient required of a professional football player is absurd. A player cannot help it if another is bigger, faster, stronger or just more talented than he is, but he can match toughness."

This is the way I see it also, I sure hope optics similar to this make it on Dan Quinn's Bulletin Board, I can see Parson's and Company taking extreme umbrage to this.

 

[blueblood70]

Dak’s only playoff game in 2016 comes to mind.

the obnoxious slow start in that game against GB was the main reason they got behind so much and then Dak and team rallied and tied the game and then the third down miracle catch by TE happened, ended in winning FG for GB.

So I think most of the pundits picking the niners are basing it on Dak’s playoff record and in general Cowboys tease…

As you say this is a different team , has shown to group together and pull it out during adversity . Lets see if they do it and keep doing it until the final victory.

ONLY ??you aren't a fan if you forget 2018 and he beat Seatle and that GB game he played well so did Zeke our defense came up a short. our defense by far have been more responsible for our failures then offense, st, or the qb..

 

[JustChip]

I see a lot of concern over the media, talking heads and anyone else picking against the Cowboys. I do not get it because they will actually settle this on the field tomorrow so why should we care what anyone else thinks?

This is the perfect matchup for many of these ex coaches and players because they're just human. Think they do not get tired of the "must discuss" Dallas Cowboys all the time? To them, the tail is wagging the dog. Some begin to hate the Cowboys because they dislike being forced to talk about them more than any other team.

I mean, c'mon, ask yourself this. The defending champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers, do they get discussed nearly as much as the Cowboys? Did Tom Brady, the QB that has thrown for more TD's and yards than any other this season, get discussed as much as Dak Prescott's slump? He is having a MVP season and gets more coverage in a Subway commercial. Think that doesn't wear on those ordered to talk about Dak and the Boys? It sure as hell would wear on me and I'd take my shots when I could. Like now.

This isn't a football team; it is its own reality show complete with the obligatory shot of the owner in every game and it doesn't matter where that game is played. He is the only owner in history that gets that.

The team is a poster child for marketing and promotion but that does not sit well with the ex footballers that are still about the game and not the show business game.

So, on one hand you have the forever hyped glitz and glamour Dallas Cowboys with stars a plenty and on the other this blue collar rabble from the land of wine and cheese perceived to be the old Packers or Steelers, so much tougher of body and mind than the Hollywood Dallas Cowboys.

This is a gift to them, it is two polar opposites, or at least they're trying to make it seem that way and the Bay Area Bullies are coming to teach the softer Cowboys a lesson in tough football. Ridiculous.

But they forget one thing, the uniform does not make the player. Inside those Cowboys uniforms are men just as tough as the tough guy Niners. They hit with the same authority and resolve and once that first kickoff starts sailing through the air, it is no longer about any of this chatter, and much from people we've never heard of before, it is a football game.

I don't care who they pick, I don't care who you pick or even who I pick. Tomorrow we return to the playoffs. The playoffs I took for granted for so many years as a right because we were the Cowboys. I bought in too.

The most interesting part of all of this is that the Cowboys aren't being called out as a team, their manhood is being questioned. Football is a tough man's game and to insinuate one man is not tough enough to beat the other, he lacks that most necessary ingredient required of a professional football player is absurd. A player cannot help it if another is bigger, faster, stronger or just more talented than he is, but he can match toughness.

This isn't the old Cowboys-Niners rivalry; this is the old Cowboys-Steelers rivalry of the 70's when blue collar steel mill grit played against Hollywood glitz and glamour. And toughness did not defeat those Cowboys, a couple of plays did.

If the Cowboys lose this, it will not be because they were not tough enough. They will be every bit as tough as the Niners. It will all come down to which team makes the plays when they need them the most.

And while this is about the media talking heads, two of the Niners tough guys, Bosa and Kittle, have talked and that can be a mistake. Players expect that from the media but tend to take it personally when coming from a player. I think Shanahan would have preferred them to be tough guys that don't talk.

This game is like the weather, everyone talks about it but no one does anything about it. Except those players wearing your colors will do something about it in less than 30 hours. They've been called out and not just by the media. They will respond.

Tomorrow the toughest team in the playoffs emerges much to the dismay of the talking heads. This just isn't a game, it is the first step and these men will be asking "who's next"?

Aside from the spot-on content, I would give you a hundred likes if I could just for how excellent a writer you are.

 

[SDCowboy]

For the life of me, I'll never get why people care who the media picks to win. It means literally nothing, and it's not like any of us are on the team...so who cares?

 

[CouchCoach]

Oh I agree.

Much more so....the staff is way different.

But...the star is still there and so is Jerry.

Nationally, we are perceived as soft and weak and we are playing the tough 49ers.

I dont agree with it, just saying why I think SF is the trendy pick.

The media needs contrast and this game probably has the most perceived contrast but I also think a lot of that is wishful thinking because they get tired of being forced to talk about the Cowboys.

The media didn't start this "tough talk", McVay did. They just picked up on what he said about his team getting tougher because the Niners have had their number.

This Baytown Bullies is all fabricated. They do not hit any harder than a number of other teams I've seen, including the Cowboys. The Raiders are still a bunch of hatchet men. Want tough, Maxx Crosby, meaner than a PMS rattler.