>> Whoo boy, everything is bigger in Texas, and folks, that includes the playoff matchups. Well, the postseason is in the air at Jerryworld today. That's because after 27 years, the once fierce rivalry between the 9ers and the Cowboys it's alive and well again.
>> Yes there's Dak Prescott, 37 touchdown passes on the season. That's a franchise record. Good news is no picks in the last 142 attempts.
>> There's Jimmy G. 6-0 with no turnovers and they hope he turns into Kenny G with his own version of breathless.
>> Samuel, the 49ers rushed for 365 yards. As a receiver over 1400 yards. And 14 total touchdowns.
JAMES BROWN: And hello, everyone, and welcome to the "The NFL Today" presented by Ram trucks. I'm James Brown, there's no question a heightened level of playoff intensity here in studio 43. That's because my colleagues have performed under the brightest of lights. That would be former league MVP and of course Super Bowl XXIII participant, Boomer Esiason. Hall of Fame coach and Super Bowl champion, Mr. Bill Cowher. And the MVP of Super Bowl XXI, the man with two rings, is a friendly fellows or what?
BILL COWHER: Very friendly.
BOOMER ESIASON: Chippy today.
JAMES BROWN: That would be Phil Simms. We're missing Nate Burleson today, but he's out in Dallas calling today's game over on Nickelodeon. And I think he'll be back next week.
BILL COWHER: Sliming folks.
JAMES BROWN: No question about that. Wild-card weekend got off to a rousing start yesterday with two games. First Joe Burrow the word to describe him, impressive, throwing two touchdowns in the Bengals 26-19 win over the Raiders. Clenching Cincinnati's first postseason victory in 31 years. In the nightcap Josh Allen and Bills not more dominant scoring touchdowns on each of their first seven possessions 47-17 victory over the Patriots no question the football frenzy continues. Two more games still to play after our game today. First it's Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs hosting Big Ben and Steelers at 8:15 Eastern Standard Time followed by the first-ever Monday night wild-card game where Kyler Murray and Cardinals hope to take down Matthew Stafford and the Rams but first in the shadows of names like Aikman, Staubach and Montana and young, Dak Prescott and Jimmy Garoppolo lead the Niners and Cowboys in an NFL postseason rivalry. This is the first 49ers postseason game since the lost to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV and you have to think, redemption is on the minds of Jimmy G. And the offense today.
BILL COWHER: Talk about the offense, Kyle Shanahan offense driven by the running game and play-action. For Jimmy Garoppolo, he's been good, last week, fourth quarter drive brought them back to a win. And you remember he's been very good recently in the fourth quarter.
And you know when you talk about that offense, though, the one thing is you have to find Deebo. Talking about finding Waldo in a picture you've got to find Deebo. He can lineup anywhere, back field as receiver thrown the pass Mr. Multipurpose Everything, very productive and part of the play-action is going to be George Kittle. These guys right now between Deebo Samuel and George Kittle they're illusive and strong run after the catch and very important for the Dallas Cowboys to be good tackling today and the offensive line and this offense tries to wear you down, Boom. As you do that it bodes well for the defense.
BOOMER ESIASON: Listen, this defense is loaded, folks, I'm telling you it starts with Nick Bosa. He's relentless, gets after the quarterback. He has 20, 32 quarterback hits this year. 21 tackles for a loss. 15 and a half sacks, like I said he's relentless. Not only is he relentless so is Fred Warner, the talented linebacker. One of their leaders 137 tackles on the year. Arik Armstead, just think about all the great players, Phil, that the San Francisco 49ers can throw at the defense.
PHIL SIMMS: A lot of stars for sure one is Dak Prescott. He's been hot the last three weeks for sure. When you look at his numbers no matter who they're playing, 70% completion percentage. 851 yards the big one. 12 touchdown passes no interceptions, Dak Prescott can make all the throws on the field. What are the weaknesses of the 49er defense is the outside coverage if you want to throw it to the sidelines. He has the arm to get it there with these wide receivers. We've seen it many times. Ezekiel Elliott, and of course you've got to say Tony Pollard, too, the offensive line can they open up running holes for them? Can they make this running game go even though I don't think this offensive line is what it used to be in years past. And the wide receiver group is really good. CeeDee Lamb, he's really great after the catch one of the best in the NFL top ten in yards after the catch. So you've got a lot to defend if you're the San Francisco 49ers defense.
JAMES BROWN: Who better to set the table for the folks to watch the games than you guys all fired up. Dallas offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has the offense clicking to say the least. But he's just one of the very talented coordinators coaching tonight perhaps with an eye on the future if you will with more bring in Jason La Canfora.
JASON LA CANFORA: They could lose both coordinates to head coaches something not lost on Jerry Jones he's considered more to be head coaching material and now other teams do as well. Moore already interviewed with the Jaguars and Broncos, Vikings and Dolphins will meet with him. People who know he'll be creative to keep more in one capacity or another. Five teams have already requested interviews with Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn with league sources indicating the Broncos will make a strong push to land him and 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans rising in the ranks he'll interview with Vikings. Strong support with the office and defense improved.
>> How about Tre'von digs. Talk about All-Pro. All-Pro 11 interceptions this year led the NFL in that category.
>> Who will add a happy ending to their story today in Dallas? Deebo Samuel, the engine that keeps the offense moving and the guys will tell you why he's become so dangerous anytime he steps on the field. Two Super Bowl champs are under center tonight as Big Ben and Patrick Mahomes face off in Kansas City. Finally the guys, the drizzled debt has the chance to take on the fresh face superstar. That's all coming up when "The NFL Today" returns on CBS. "The NFL Today" on CBS is presented by Ram Trucks, JD Powers No. 1 brand in quality built to serve.
[COMMERCIAL] that name Deebo Samuel strikes fear in the defenses league wide he can run pass and catch. Dallas, look out. This All-Pro can and will Deebo this game away from you. Folks, time now for pregame HQ delivered by dominos.
>> Deebo Samuel get the party started.
[MUSIC].
>> The hand-off goes to Samuel.
>> Pass by Deebo Samuel.
>> He does it all.
>> Samuel has done it again.
>> Wow.
>> What a night by Deebo Samuel.
>> He's terrific.
>> Multipurpose, multitalented, yes, sir.
>> Maybe the most exciting football player in the NFL today a triple threat for sure he'll line up in five different positions look at this yards after the catch. He's second he averages 110 yards a game why is Deebo so dangerous.
PHIL SIMMS: A lot of reasons ask if is he a running back wide receiver I go yes he can do it all. Running back in the backfield just think it's speed sweeps no there's power runs inside. Reads the blocking well. Gets the extra yards is not worried about contact with those legs he can drive the defender back. Wide receiver. Fast. Big, strong. Use those hands pushing the defender off and once he catches a football he's explosive running down the field this led to a San Francisco touchdown to tie the game up. He's going to run the speed sweep, Boomer, to the outside. Here we go, let's go get him no he's going to throw the ball the jump pass for the touchdown. Little joke.
BOOMER ESIASON: Joke half.
PHIL SIMMS: But he does everything you never know what he's going to do wherever he lines up.
BOOMER ESIASON: Ultimate triple threat exciting football player maybe the best football player in the league let's go to coach and J.B.
JAMES BROWN: Thank you so much and coach definitely has the answer on this. Deebo human Swiss Army knife talk about it.
BILL COWHER: The Dallas defense they'll have to win the turnover take away battle they've been doing it pretty good the takeaways in the National Football League and interceptions 21st in the National Football League and scored off the defensive touchdowns six. When you look at the offense the San Francisco 49ers, you're right it's about finding Deebo Samuel and getting a lot of motion that you have and then Quinn knows that, it tests you your eye discipline.
JAMES BROWN: Eye discipline.
BILL COWHER: Try to take you off your focus of responsibility. What they have to do is take this guy. Micah Parsons, use them disruptively and Warrens split gaps get the game going sideways you talk about guys in the backfield, Trevon, but today it's going to be about tackling these guys they're lucid, Deebo and they're strong and George Kittle and Mitchell coming up. These guys will have to tackle well, play eight in the box. I love the fact that you have Dan Quinn who is offensive coordinator when he went to the Super Bowl with the Atlanta Falcons who is offensive coordinator, Kyle Shanahan. They're going against each other on opposite sides changing wits in a single elimination tournament.
JAMES BROWN: This is your time. Eye discipline, we'll come back to that. Folks, the fate of America's team rests largely on the shoulders of that man Dak Prescott, fear no Dak understands the assignment because he said pressure is a privilege and he can earn every bit of that today.
BILL COWHER: Love it.
[COMMERCIAL]
JAMES BROWN: CBS sports celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King junior as one of the captains of 9ers defense there's no denying Arik Armstead's leadership on the field and in the locker room. But the veteran really shines in the community where he seeks to live Dr. King's legacy by helping to create equity and equality for all.
>> Dr. King inspired me because he was fearless. He gave a voice to people who didn't have the platform or voice to express themselves or express their struggle. He inspires me because I feel like it's my responsibility just like he took onus on himself and made it his responsibility to step up for others and make society a better place. I take that same responsibility and he's definitely a big influence on my activism and using my voice to stand up for other people. Education is the key to solving a lot of inequity in our country. It's key for me. And giving young people an opportunity to be successful in life, that's where I found that I could have a huge impact and so I decided to drive my focus there. My dream is to see Dr. King's dream really come to fruition, equal opportunities for everyone. His dream is what we're still trying to achieve. And that would be the ultimate dream of mine to live in a society that is truly equal and equitable for everyone.
JAMES BROWN: And guys another prime example of a great guy in the envelope we saw Devon McCowerty last night and Arik Armstead absolute phenomenal people.
BILL COWHER: Arik Armstead is the nominee for the Walter Payton man of the year an award you won once to use your platform to make a difference is what it's all about.
PHIL SIMMS: He's someone to look up to. He's a great role model no question about that when you listen to him or watch what he does in the community but also what he does on the field. I want to talk what a player is. They moved him from outside to inside changed the 49ers defense became much better at stopping the run that's one of the reasons they're in the playoffs.
JAMES BROWN: You made the point before these are typical of what NFL players look like not the aberrant few.
>> No question about it.
JAMES BROWN: Tonight prime time many people believe the Ben Rothlisberger farewell tour could begin and end in Kansas City at the hands of Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
>> Ben Rothlisberger, 39 years old.
>> Roethlisberger.
>> End zone, touchdown!
>> Looking for it all.
>> The Steelers touchdown.
>> This is who and what Ben is.
>> Maybe this isn't the last dance for big been.
>> Mahomes in the zone.
>> Touchdown.
>> Big time play.
>> Mahomes magic.
>> Going to scramble.
>> Mahomes looking for the end zone pass. Touchdown.
>> Mahomes is fired up.
>> This is what you get from Hall of Fame quarterbacks.
PHIL SIMMS: We've got a good young quarterback tonight of course Patrick Mahomes and Ben Rothlisberger trying to extend that career for one more game. I've got to talk about the Steeler defense, though, guys, can you make Kansas City go on those long slow drives and ten or 12 plays if you can do that that's going to be great. You've got to force Patrick Mahomes to be patient. He's at his best when he's impatient like Boomer when he gets impatient he is good. When Patrick Mahomes gets out of the pocket that's when you get in trouble. The defense for the Steelers is fast. So if you make him throw it short come up make the tackles gives you a good chance.
BILL COWHER: T.J. Watt a healthier, Pittsburgh Steelers keep this thing close to the fourth quarter. How do do that? Run the ball with Najee Harris and get the quick passing game that's what Ben is comfortable with. He cannot turn the football over I would say to Ben like it was a first year a punt is not a bad thing in this game now because if you get to the fourth quarter the pressure goes to Kansas City and one of the best field goal kickers in the league in Chris Boswell.
JAMES BROWN: Monday night two high flying offenses when Kyler Murray leads the Cardinals into Los Angeles to complete the trilogy against Cooper Kupp and the Rams.
BOOMER ESIASON: We'll finally find out about Matthew Stafford. This was the big acquisition everybody was talking about before the season started and he's had a great season with Cooper Kupp. They've been virtually unstoppable. They added OVJ. Of course less Snead and McVea went all in on Stafford personally don't believe there's a quarterback in the playoffs that has more pressure on him than this young man never won a playoff brought him there to get to the Super Bowl and win the Super Bowl in their own stadium this year.
JAMES BROWN: We were watching but moments ago the contest between the Eagles and Buccaneers went final. I'll tell you what Tom Brady amazing Jalen Hurts to Smith and a little late on the ball as we saw from Hyde safety comes over steals the ball. I hate that. How about Tom Brady? This is the touchdown pass right here. That I like that's the 28th time he's had multiple touchdown passes in a playoff game 35th play off win amazing accomplishment by Brady.
JAMES BROWN: Melody catching up with Antoine Winfield Jr.
>> Antwan, congratulations the NFL's number one running attack comes into your building and you guys dictate the pace of this game. You never allowed them to get into a rhythm. What allowed you guys to be so dominant defensively today?
>> I would say practice in this game we knew they were going to number one rushing we knew it was our first priority stopping the run we went out did it today.
>> When you look at what your offense did down a number of key guys you lose your starting right tackle in the first quarter and nine different receivers caught passes what could you say about the offense today.
>> They did an awesome job scoring, that's what you expect, he go back running expected it.
>> How do you carry it into divisional round and anything you need to shore up before you move on.
>> We have to make sure we win the games we didn't want to let any points finish and keep the gas going.
>> Antwan, congratulations.
>> Appreciate it.
JAMES BROWN: Five tackles and one sack.
BOOMER ESIASON: I worry about Tristin worst, he's the best right tackle in football lost him in this game. I don't know how significant that injury is going to be, but Tom Brady is ageless keep talking about it and we take it for granted and again another game in the playoffs where he's had multiple TD passes runs the field you could see it. Wasn't great totally sharp but losing Trystan could be a problem down the road.
BILL COWHER: Talk about the front of the Tampa Bay defense. Bowls put up a great plan and they'll need the defense because the offensive line is banged up but great performance by Tom Brady once again.
PHIL SIMMS: He's a great thrower of the football, one of the greatest Bruce Arians made this comment he said I've never seen somebody like to throw the football more in practice than Tom Brady shows how he comes out on the field Philadelphia had chances in this game. Every play three interceptions by Jalen Hurts. Missed some wide open receivers Philadelphia they look back wow we could have made the game closer.
JAMES BROWN: No matter how many losses he's like EF Hutton, that's Brady, when they speak they say listen. And as of late Jimmy G. Has been cash in the clutch over his last six starts. Folks, he's completing 70% of his passes in the fourth quarter and overtime that's a good omen for the 9ers. We'll see if he has the juice today.
>> Look who it is, it's Stefon Diggs straight off his victory last night with his teammates Buffalo Bills, down in Dallas to watch his brother today.
>> Could you ever imagine doing that?
>> Good to have money, it is. (Laughter).
[COMMERCIAL] .
JAMES BROWN: In the words of Dr. King, our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
[MUSIC].
"The NFL Today" is sponsored by GEICO. You could save even more by bundling home and car insurance. Verizon, the official 5G network of the NFL and by Ram trucks. J.D. powers number one brand new vehicle quality.
>> Montana, looking, looking, throwing in the end zone. Caught it. Dwight Clark.
JAMES BROWN: No doubt about it, the catch is one of the most historic moments in league history. And that iconic play is symbolic of this rivalry. Dallas leads the series five games to two, with the winner lifting the Lombardi trophy on five different occasions. Hey, folks, the last head-to-head of course was '94 NFC Championship, a record six NFC title game matchups.
>> Look at the teams two iconic franchises no doubt about it. 10 Super Bowls between the two of them. Dak Prescott, Jimmy Garoppolo, they want to join the likes of Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach and Joe Montana and Steve Young, win Super Bowl trophies, the rivalry I did my part in it I lost to both of these teams.
>> You won a few as well. Time now to deliver our picks with game day delivery presented by Amazon. 9ers, Cowboys, who comes out on top.
>> I'm taking the San Francisco 49ers, 27-21I love the San Francisco 49ers to me it's all about their pass rush and for the Dallas Cowboys, how can they win on the defensive side? Can they stop the San Francisco running game, that's a big question.
BILL COWHER: I think part of that will have to be with the Dallas Cowboys controlling the ball on offense. That's why I like their chances they get Tyrone Smithback left offensive tackle and CeeDee Lamb and I like a healthy Tony Pollard. Ezekiel Elliott you can start the game, Tony Pollard I'll be my Bell cow because I'll pick Dallas 27-211 caveat Craig. He's missed six extra points just do your job. Do your job.
BOOMER ESIASON: We sit here all week long we look at statistics, we look at numbers we look at players. And one thing about the 49ers, they have been on a roll. And they have been on a roll with big plays when you take a look at big plays in the NFL 20 yards or more. The San Francisco 49ers offense, they have produced the third-most in the league, 75. Who has given up the most on the defensive side, that would be the Dallas Cowboys. They've given up 76 of those types of plays. That's why I'm taking the 49ers and I'm going to take them 30-27 over the Cowboys.
JAMES BROWN: And folks in San Francisco have certainly been skewering Jimmy Garoppolo but Boom he has an opportunity to do something again with them.
>> Take them back to the Super Bowl brought them back to Super Bowl LIV and he's been under a lot of pressure. He's often injured. That's why they went and drafted Trey Lance, if he can win a Super Bowl and joins the likes of Steve Young and Joe Montana, legendary quarterback. Pass protection and pressure to force him into an interception.
BILL COWHER: It's a statement game for Quinn going against Kyle Shanahan and his opportunity. You talk about the big plays. That defense has been big plays too talked about earlier in the show, Trevon Diggs, led that side of the ball. And DeMarcus Lawrence they'll have to back field and the offense against the defense and play in the trenches one thing San Francisco can do is wear you down so that offense Dallas stay on the field.
JAMES BROWN: Jimmy Garoppolo has been high playing well for quite a few weeks but everybody is waiting as soon as he doesn't win a game we'll focus on him that's the way it goes if you're an NFL quarterback. For the Cowboys to me on the defensive side, play zone coverage everybody what's that mean keep your eyes on the quarterback because the 49ers throw a lot of passes over the middle. If you're watching him, the tips, the interceptions, that's how you can get them.
>> Oh baby I'm getting fired up. Kickoff just minutes away we'll see you back here at halftime. But coming up it's history in the making. It's the 9ers. It's the Cowboys. Hey, and let us channel our best Nate Burleson, what's next?
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports