Cowboys-49ers rivalry set for record-tying 9th playoff game

FILE - Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (22) makes his way through San Francisco 49ers' defensive backs Merton Hanks (36) and Bill Romanowski (53), for a 4-yard gain in the second quarter of the Cowboy's 38-21 NFC championship win, Sunday, Jan. 23, 1994, in Irving, Texas. The 49ers-Cowboys playoff history is a rich one from back-to-back conference title games in the early 1970s, the iconic “Catch” in the 1981 season and then the heated rivalry in the 1990s when the Cowboys won the first two meetings on the way to Super Bowl titles and then the Niners took the third game. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

FILE - Dallas Cowboys defender Deion Sanders (21) knocks the ball away from San Francisco 49ers receiver Jerry Rice (80) in the second quarter of an NFL football game in Irving, Texas, Nov. 12, 1995. The 49ers-Cowboys playoff history is a rich one from back-to-back conference title games in the early 1970s, the iconic “Catch” in the 1981 season and then the heated rivalry in the 1990s when the Cowboys won the first two meetings on the way to Super Bowl titles and then the Niners took the third game. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

FILE -San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) attempts to escape the grasp of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) as defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) moves in to help make the tackle in the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. The 49ers-Cowboys playoff history is a rich one from back-to-back conference title games in the early 1970s, the iconic “Catch” in the 1981 season and then the heated rivalry in the 1990s when the Cowboys won the first two meetings on the way to Super Bowl titles and then the Niners took the third game.(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)

FILE -Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) is sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, center left rear, with help in the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. The 49ers-Cowboys playoff history is a rich one from back-to-back conference title games in the early 1970s, the iconic “Catch” in the 1981 season and then the heated rivalry in the 1990s when the Cowboys won the first two meetings on the way to Super Bowl titles and then the Niners took the third game. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

FILE - San Francisco 49ers' Keith Fahnhorst (71) and Joe Montana, rear, signal a touchdown as teammate Johnny Davis scores against the Dallas Cowboys during the NFC title game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Jan. 10, 1982. The 49ers-Cowboys playoff history is a rich one from back-to-back conference title games in the early 1970s, the iconic “Catch” in the 1981 season and then the heated rivalry in the 1990s when the Cowboys won the first two meetings on the way to Super Bowl titles and then the Niners took the third game. (AP Photo/File)