Skip Bayless predicts whether the Cowboys can now beat the 49ers in the Playoffs

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It’s been a roller coaster of a holiday season for the Dallas Cowboys, with a pair of see-saw affairs over the past two weeks.

Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, Dallas holds the #2 seed in the NFC and is in control of the NFC East with a chance to claim the division for the first time since the 2021 campaign.

They’ll need to defeat the Washington Commanders on Sunday in the US capital or have the Philadelphia Eagles fall to the New York Giants to clinch a bye officially.

While they’re in line to earn a first-round bye for the first time since 2016, they can’t catch the 49ers, who locked up home field advantage in the NFC thanks to a 27-10 victory over the Washington Commanders.

That means if the Cowboys and Niners win this weekend and in the Divisional Round, Dallas will have to go through San Francisco to get to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 1995 season.

Third Time’s the Charm?

Going into by far the most challenging stretch of their season, facing four teams with records of .500 or better in December, Mike McCarthy and company knew this was their chance to show they were contenders.

Over that stretch, this team’s been up, down and all around, beginning with a massive statement win at home to Philadelphia (33-13) before falling from grace and getting whipped by the Buffalo Bills (31-10).

After that contest, most pundits changed their tune about the Cowboys’ Super Bowl chances.

That includes their #1 fan and TV personality Skip Bayless, who predicted they’d lose their final three encounters against the Dolphins, Lions, and Commanders.

They had some good fortune at home versus Detroit, with referee Brad Allen saying Taylor Decker didn’t report as eligible, though the Lions have a different version of the story.

In the end, the Lions’ game-winning two-point attempt was nullified, and the Cowboys ended their losing streak.

They also got Bayless back in their corner, with Skip now believing they can make a postseason run.

Bayless gave his take on Dallas’ chances, should they have to face San Fran for the NFC Championship.

He says the Cowboys aren’t clicking at a “Super Bowl level”, but adds that, “If we (the Cowboys) can get back to San Francisco, we will finally beat the 49ers at the 49ers”.

Exercising Some Demons

The 49ers have had Dallas’ number of late, destroying them on Sunday Night Football in October 42-10 in one of Dak Prescott’s worst outings of the season.

Should the Cowboys have to go to Levi’s Stadium for the NFC title game, Prescott will have to face his past demons.

The Cowboys pivot threw three interceptions the last time he faced the Niners in San Fran, while he’s been on the losing end against them in each of the last two postseasons.

Dak accidentally ran out the clock against them in the 2021 Wild Card Round, then tossed a pair of interceptions in the Divisional Round a season ago.

His only victory at Levi’s Stadium came in 2017, Kyle Shanahan’s first season as 49ers head coach.

While recent history suggests the Niners would beat Dallas, recent NFC Championship history may lean towards America’s Team.

Dallas won two of the three NFC title games played against the Niners in the 90s, including a 30-20 triumph at Candlestick Park in the 1992 game.

With the Jimmy Johnson curse no more, perhaps the Jimmy Johnson magic can propel them back into the Super Bowl.