The San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys are set to meet in the playoffs for the second consecutive season after the former defeated the latter 23-17 in the NFC Wildcard round in 2021.
This time, the two teams are meeting in the NFC Divisional Round, while playing at Levi's Stadium, although it's clear that the energy between the sides will be similar.
Speaking to reporters earlier this week, quarterback Dak Prescott did not shy away from acknowledging that he and the Cowboys wanted to play the 49ers after their loss last season.
"Most definitely I [wanted the 49ers]. I think this whole team did. Obviously, using that loss last year as a motivation," Prescott said. "The focal point of the resiliency that we carried into the offseason obviously carried into this year. We get a chance to go back at their place and do something that we wanted to do."
Even prior to their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Prescott admitted that the loss was still on his mind as motivation for 2022.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott on if the playoff loss to 49ers last year is still on team's mind as motivation: "Damn right. Damn right. And obviously, after a game like last week, that helps remind you." pic.twitter.com/YWg81HDtQK
His fellow teammates have reciprocated the same feeling.
Cowboys guard Zack Martin admitted that the 49ers got the better hand in 2021, while acknowledging that it would be a physical matchup.
"It's no surprise... they got after us pretty good last year," Martin said. "[The 49ers] do a great job of coming off the ball and really trying to set a tone for the game, and I think that's something that we like to do, too. So it's going to be a physical game, and we've got to come out ready to play from the first snap."
After having just one catch against the 49ers in their playoff bout in 2021, wide receiver Ceedee Lamb is looking to improve, understanding that he fell short as well last season.
"I feel like I could be more impactful this year for sure, but [the wildcard game] definitely wasn't one of my best performances," Lamb said. "I grew a lot, just from learning and seeing a lot of things in that last game, and as far as [how I felt at the end] of the game. I felt terrible, obviously, because we lost, but I wasn't productive enough."
The two teams will battle on Sunday, with physicality likely playing a factor in the outcome as it did in 2021.
Isaiah Oliver analyzes Trey Lance, Sam Darnold, his fit in the 49ers defense
By David Bonilla
Jun 1
New San Francisco 49ers cornerback Isaiah Oliver is coming from the Atlanta Falcons. While in the NFC South, he's faced quarterback Sam Darnold, now his teammate.
The 49ers are in their second week of organized team activities (OTAs), and Oliver has had a chance this offseason to get a good look at Darnold and third-year quarterback Trey Lance during practices. So what has he taken away from going against the two former No. 3 overall draft picks?
"I mean, they're both really good quarterbacks," Oliver told reporters on Wednesday. "Obviously, I've played against Sam a few times. I haven't played against Trey before, so just kind of seeing him [for the first time]. But yeah, they're both just real athletic guys. I feel like a lot of people don't respect that
49ers OL coach Chris Foerster on RT Colton McKivitz: "The job is his coming into it"
By Rohan Chakravarthi
Jun 1
The San Francisco 49ers had a significant change this offseason, letting go of several key starters, such as Mike McGlinchey and Jimmie Ward, who earned lucrative multi-year deals elsewhere.
That left the 49ers with a void at the right tackle position, where the team didn't add any significant talent in free agency or the NFL Draft, meaning that Colton McKivitz is the odds-on favorite to be the starter at the position.
Speaking to the media for the first time this offseason, offensive line coach Chris Foerster praised the swing tackle, pointing out his value in spot duty and that it's McKivitz's job to lose, which should help build his confidence in a crucial year.
"Colton, he's done a great job for us through the years he's been here,"
49ers WR Deebo Samuel rips his 2022 performance: 'It was awful'
By Kirk Larrabee
Jun 6
Deebo Samuel made it clear Tuesday he's on a mission to erase all memories of his performance during the 2022 season, which he feels was nowhere near his previously established level of play.
The 49ers' standout wide receiver/running back addressed that performance during a press conference on Day 1 of 49ers mandatory minicamp. He did not hold back when issuing a critique of how things went for him in 2022.
"Oh, it was awful," Samuel said. "Every aspect."
Samuel, 27, caught 56 passes for 632 yards in 13 games last season while rushing for 232 yards and three touchdowns on 42 carries. There were moments on the field when Samuel certainly made his presence felt, but overall he fell short of making the type of impact he made in 2021, when he caught 77
49ers Notebook: Javon Hargrave's first 49ers thoughts; Trent Williams' weird late-night workout schedule; Wilks on DBs; Deommodore Lenoir wants to be elite
By Kirk Larrabee
Jun 7
The 49ers ended their offseason workout program on Wednesday with their final session of mandatory minicamp. But before they made their way out the door for the summer, the team gave fans and reporters one last dose of info in the form of the final media sessions of the spring.
Among those speaking to reporters on Wednesday were defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, left tackle Trent Williams and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, as well as defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. Each session produced some interesting tidbits, which we'll review in this version of 49ers notebook.
Hargrave speaks
Despite being the splash free agent addition of the offseason for the 49ers, Javon Hargrave had not met with the team's beat reporters in person before Wednesday.
