One of the more surprising matchups of Super Wild Card Weekend in this year’s playoffs is the Dallas Cowboys hosting the San Francisco 49ers. It is shocking not because either team doesn’t deserve to be in the postseason, but for how much it took for this matchup to come to fruition.
These two teams had a minuscule chance of seeing each other in the postseason. Those chances were even slimmer late Sunday before the 49ers put together a ferocious comeback against the Los Angeles Rams.
Trailing 17-3 and with little production offensively, the 49ers had a complete 180 in the second half, picking up a victory to lock up a playoff spot. In addition to that, the Arizona Cardinals lost to the Seattle Seahawks, while the Cowboys defeated the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday night, setting up this unexpected matchup between the old-time rivals.
That pushed Dallas ahead of Los Angeles in the standings, setting up an NFC West matchup between the Cardinals and Rams in the Wild Card round as well. While defeating the 49ers isn’t going to be a cakewalk, the Cowboys have to be happy they will not be facing off with Kyler Murray and the Cardinals again.
Murray is undefeated in AT&T Stadium and the Cardinals defeated the Cowboys there just two weeks ago. While it is a relief to not have to slow down that Air Raid offense, San Francisco will present some challenges for Dallas as well.
Everyone knew who George Kittle was coming into the season, but the emergence of Deebo Samuel has really helped bring this 49ers’ offense to another level. When you add in the talented Brandon Aiyuk, there are a lot of weapons to account for in San Francisco.
That is what makes the performance of linebacker Micah Parsons so important, as he is the biggest X-Factor in this game for the Cowboys. The potential Defensive Rookie of the Year was excellent this season, helping turn around a Dallas defense that was one of the worst in franchise history last season.
Parsons was all over the field for the Cowboys, finishing second in total tackles with 84. He led the team with 13 sacks and 20 tackles for loss. He was a chess piece that defensive coordinator Dan Quinn took advantage of, as he is as capable of dropping into coverage as he is rushing the quarterback.
That is what will make him so important against the 49ers. He will be responsible for helping keep Kittle and Samuel in check in the passing game. They have terrorized defenses throughout the season working the middle of the field, sometimes as a running back in Samuel’s case.
Parsons will be making sure that doesn’t occur on Sunday night in hopes of helping the Cowboys advance to the Divisional Round. If Dallas is to win this game, they need him playing at a high level, setting the tone defensively.
