Cowboys News: Micah Parsons on being the underdog, Dak Prescott praises Tyler Smith

The Dallas Cowboys were favored against the Buccaneers, but that didn’t stop the general media from rallying behind Tampa Bay in terms of picking a winner. This week is much of the same with everyone backing the 49ers. The only difference is San Francisco is favored by 3.5 points as the hottest team in the NFL.

That spread is almost a compliment to Micah Parsons and company, as it suggests this matchup would be a pick ’em on a neutral field.

The Cowboys will be hoping for a quicker start this time around. In last year’s Wild Card defeat, San Francisco jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. They out-gained Dallas 110-7 in total yards in the quarter and expanded their lead to 23-7 by the start of the fourth quarter.

That game alone proved how brutal of a matchup the Niners are for Mike McCarthy’s squad (and most teams). The media already thinks Brock Purdy is better than Dak Prescott, and no one is really giving Dan Quinn’s defense a chance to contain Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle.

So, yes, the Cowboys are embracing an underdog mentality this week. Perhaps no player is embodying that mindset more than Micah Parsons, who added another savage quote to his collection about being counted out.

More Cowboys News:

• After manifesting a rematch (and win) against the Buccaneers in 2021, Dak Prescott is looking to even the score against the 49ers after last season’s playoff loss. When asked if he wanted the rematch, Prescott said “Most definitely.”I think this whole team did. Obviously, using that loss last year as a motivation and just kind of the focal point of the resiliency that we carried into the offseason, [that we] carried into this year.
• Continuing with Dak, the Cowboys quarterback lauded rookie offensive linemen Tyler Smith after he played left guard and left tackle (after Jason Peters left injured) at a high level against the Bucs. “He’s a baller. He’s a baller and a mauler. Strong as hell. I didn’t realize (he’s) just 21 years old. I knew he was young, but to just be 21 and playing the way he’s playing is so, so impressive.”
• Why not another Parsons quote to get the adrenaline going 24 hours before kickoff. Check out what the Defensive Player of the Year candidate had to say about Dallas’ defense facing the 49ers’ loaded, exotic offense.

NFL News:

• Ravens GM Eric DeCosta pushed back on the growing narrative that Lamar Jackson has played his last snap with Baltimore. DeCosta is confident the QB wants to finish his career with the organization, and HC John Harbaugh believes both parties will be able to iron out a contract extension.
• The head coach firing cycle might be over, but offensive and defensive coordinators are dropping like flies. This week alone, Bucs OC Byron Leftwich, Vikings DC Ed Donatell, Ravens OC Greg Roman, and Dolphins DC Josh Boyer have all been fired or resigned in Roman’s case.

Cowboys get 2 positive injury updates after Wild Card win (and 1 negative one)

The Cowboys got encouraging injury updates on Micah Parsons and Jayron Kearse, but there's concern Jason Peters could miss the Divisional Round.