From: marshall@NEBULA.SSD.LMSC.LOCKHEED.COM (Bob Marshall)
Subject: Re: More predictions
Reply-To: marshall@NEBULA.SSD.LMSC.LOCKHEED.COM
Organization: LMSC, Sunnyvale, California
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 93 06:04:04 GMT

In article <1993Jan11.021315.13521@netcom.com> gordons@netcom.com (Gordon Storga) writes:
>Dallas 31  SF 21
>SF doesn't appear to have the defense to stop Dallas. 

Appearances can be deceiving, Gordon; at least, it's easy to deceive
you. Don't forget that the 49ers gave up fewer points per game than
Dallas during the regular season (and yes, I *AM* correct in that statement,
and I was correct in making it two weeks ago when you tried to pin a 
misstatement on me). In fact, of the four remaining teams, the 49ers' 
points-per-game average is better than any of them. The 49ers' defense
is much better than the stats make them look. Ahem, how many Bowboy
defensive players made the Pro Bowl this year?

>Passing games are farely even with the advantage in TE production going to
>Dallas.  

Huh? Are you saying that Jay Novacek is more productive than Brent Jones?
I won't even begin to argue this one. And how can you say the passing
games are "farely (sic) even"? We have the #1 rated passer, who also
happens to be the league MVP, and one of the best receivers of all time
in Jerry Rice. And throw John Taylor in on top of that. Your statement
is completely ludicrous. Can you say "brain damaged"?

>SF has to face the #1 defense, Dallas doesn't.  

That's the first true thing you've said so far. But Dallas has to face
one of the top defenses against the run, and a secondary which has improved
tremendously in the second half of the season, and which is brimming with
confidence right now. I give Dallas a slight defensive edge, but only
very slight, and probably not enough to overcome the 49ers' offensive edge.

>Dallas can run on anyone.  

The Niners can stuff anyone's running game (you didn't back up your
claim in any way, so neither will I).

>Dallas looked sharp, SF looked lethargic.

Mostly true. I have to admit that Dallas looked very good against the
Beagles. VERY good. As to whether SF was lethargic, well, that's a poor
choice of words. They did lack the killer instinct, but for the most part
they performed well. The defense was outstanding, especially the secondary.
The running game racked up 187 yards in atrocious conditions, and the
passing game was more than adequate. Two of Young's turnovers were
flukes, one was due to a good defensive play on the Redskins' part,
and the other turnover was a truly stupid play, which Young will not
repeat in the championship game. I would not call an effort in which the
49ers rolled up over 400 yards in offense, and where the defense limited
the defending Super Bowl champs to six points (the TD was not the fault
of the defense) "lethargic". Besides, this weekend's games go out the
window, and have no bearing on next week's game.

>Barring injury it should be a Dallas victory.

Let's just sit back and watch what happens. I won't make a prediction one
way or the other. Personally, I think the 49ers are the better team (natch),
but Dallas is a very tough opponent. It would be no shame to lose to such
a fine team. Either way, the NFC will have a representative which is superior 
to anything the AFC has to offer (no need for you Buffalo fans to send me
any flak about how you beat us earlier this year; I *KNOW* that).

=============================================================================
Bob Marshall                     \\     "Women aren't as smart as they
Lockheed Missiles & Space Co.     \\     think they are; they think we
Sunnyvale, CA                      \\    men know a lot more than we
marshall@force.ssd.lmsc.lockheed.com\\   really do."
"I tell the truth 'cept when I lie"  \\     - Tim the Toolman
=============================================================================
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro