Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys have adopted an “it is what it is” approach to having two fewer days of rest than their upcoming playoff opponent, but everyone else sure is talking about it. Tony Dungy weighs in on what the short week and double travel means for a team, even as 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan tries to downplay any advantage an extra 52 hours might give his squad.
Previewing Sunday’s game, we look at how Dak Prescott can put the pressure on Brock Purdy, and last week’s San Francisco tape shows how a fast start from the Cowboys defense could rattle the rookie early. We’re looking at injury news for both teams (including a new development on Christian McCaffrey over past weeks), sizing up a big challenge for the Dallas offensive line, and judging how referee assignments may affect the Cowboys more than the Niners.
All that, plus news on the Cowboys’ new kicker, Rob Gronkowski eats crow over some words he shared Monday night, how the Cowboys forced Tom Brady into unfamiliar territory, and which Cowboys players would get MVP votes on a 100-player ballot. That’s all up in a jumbo-sized News and Notes.