What We Learned in the N.F.L.’s Wild-Card Round
The New York Times
The 49ers and Jimmy Garoppolo managed their game plan just well enough to upset the Cowboys, but blowouts around the rest of the wild-card matchups showed the folly of playoff expansion.
In the early goings of the wild-card rounds, favored teams won out thanks to reliable plays: the Bengals leaned on Joe Burrow-to-Ja’Marr Chase to open up plays for others, the Bills balanced Josh Allen’s throws with just enough running (from backs and Allen himself) to demolish the Patriots, and the Buccaneers ran up a lead behind replacement rushers before being tempted to take to the air.
That was, until Sunday afternoon, when the Cowboys’ takeaway-or-bust defense yielded to the 49ers’ balanced attack and Dallas had to rely on careful game management to have a chance to complete a late comeback.
Throughout the season, San Francisco never enjoyed the same peaks as Dallas. Coach Kyle Shanahan led his team through what felt like an endless loop of two consecutive losses following two consecutive wins, remaining steady in his approach — and his flawed quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, who was just good enough to beat the Cowboys, 23-17, in Dallas on Sunday.
