Full 2023 NFC Playoff Predictions: Cowboys finally get over the hump

NFC Championship

Dallas Cowboys (5) at San Francisco 49ers (3)

For the first time since 1995, the Dallas Cowboys get over the second-round hump as they head to the NFC Championship Game. Once there, they see a familiar sight — the San Francisco 49ers lining up across from them.

Dallas and San Francisco were both powerhouses back in the 1990s and met three years in a row. The Cowboys won following the 1992 and 1993 campaigns and then lost to San Francisco the year after. In their last title run, they faced the Green Bay Packers, ending the streak of these two iconic franchises facing off.

In all, they’ve played eight times in the postseason and the Cowboys are 5-3 overall but have lost the past two meetings. The latest came almost exactly one year ago as they were defeated 23-17 in the Wild Card Round last season.

San Francisco rode that momentum to the NFC Championship Game and nearly pulled that off but in the end, the Los Angeles Rams got the win and took the Lombardi Trophy as well.

That means once again, America’s Team is looking for some revenge but it won’t be easy. Nick Bosa and the Niners’ defense is should keep this one low-scoring but in the end, Dallas capitalizes on a rare rookie mistake from Purdy and steals a narrow win on the road.

Of course, they still will have to win it all to really end the criticism but a trip to the Super Bowl is clearly not out of the question as they have arguably the deepest roster in the NFC.

Prediction: Dallas 20, San Francisco 16

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