Shades of last January. The defending Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers blitzed the Dallas Cowboys before the first quarter was over.
The 49ers, who were supposed to be on the downslide because of injuries and free-agent losses, whipped the Cowboys 38-20 on Sunday on their home field in a game reminiscent of the NFC championship meeting between the teams."This kind of game symbolizes the kind of team we are," linebacker Ken Norton said. "We're still the world champions. Dallas got caught up reading its press clippings and listening to the experts."
The 49ers (6-4), who had lost the last two games, even moved into a tie with St. Louis and Atlanta atop the NFC West. Dallas dropped to 8-2.
"They are the world champions and they played like it," Dallas defensive end Charles Haley said. "We stunk up the place. We must be intimidated by guys in red shirts and gold helmets."
This was supposed to be a revenge game against the 49ers, who didn't have Steve Young for a fifth straight week because of a shoulder injury.
It was a rout, just as many predicted. Only it was the Cowboys who were outplayed and outcoached.
"I'm not a cussing man, but we got our butts kicked," cornerback Deion Sanders said. "My hats are off to Jerry Rice. He's the best receiver to ever play the game."
Backup Elvis Grbac and Rice devastated Dallas on the game's first possession.
San Francisco stunned the Cowboys early, much as it did in the NFC championship game. In that game, the 49ers built a 21-0 lead in the first 6:25, went on to win 38-28 and then defeat San Diego in the Super Bowl.
"It was like the same game," said Sanders. "But I was on the opposite team then."
Rice, the NFL's career leader in receiving, slipped open behind linebacker Darrin Smith for a slant pass over the middle from Grbac and ran 81 yards for a touchdown on the second play of the game. Rice confused the Cowboys by lining up in the slot and nobody caught him until safety Darren Woodson tackled him at the goal.
"Part of the game plan was to get me one on one with the linebacker and they bit on it," Rice said. "I knew it was time for me to do what I do. I have a lot of respect for Deion."
Rice had been involved in a pregame exchange of words with the Cowboys' $35 million cornerback, who was lost in coverage at times by the clever San Francisco offensive sets. Rice had complained that Sanders took credit for the Super Bowl win. Sanders said Rice was "ignorant."
"We moved Jerry around a lot so we could get him away from Deion," Grbac said. "They were running around and looked confused."
Dallas coach Barry Switzer said "they were picking on our linebackers. Our linebackers got caught inside. There was nothing Deion could do.
"It looked like the same game aslast year at the beginning."
The 49ers struck again 13 seconds later when Michael Irvin fumbled the ball away to Merton Hanks, who scooped it up and ran 38 yards for a touchdown.
"They were a better team, period," Irvin said. "They doubled and tripled me and I had a hard time getting open. We wanted the game but they beat our butts."
Linebacker Rickey Jackson intercepted a pass from Troy Aikman, the NFL's top-rated passer, at the Dallas 27 and the 49ers cashed the mistake into a 26-yard field goal by Jeff Wilkins, a free agent who was picked up during the week. It gave San Francisco a 17-0 lead with only 4:58 expired.
Aikman was injured on a first-quarter sack by Dana Stubblefield. Aikman fell heavily on his left knee. Doctors decided it was a bad bruise and ordered him not to return. Wade Wilson subbed and threw two interceptions before he left with an injury late in the fourth period.
Aikman, who will have an MRI exam on Monday, was 4-of-6 for 29 yards and Wilson was 15-of-26 for 134. Aikman left without comment after he showerd.
Grbac, who completed 20 of 30 for 305 yards, took the 49ers 82 yards in 13 plays for a 24-0 lead. Grbac hit Rice on passes of 20 and 28 yards before Derek Loville scored on a 1-yard run.
Dallas linebacker Robert Jones said they could see Rice coming but couldn't do anything about it.
"Jerry was running through the middle and we couldn't make the play because there was no pressure on the quarterback," Jones said. "You can't cover him all day."
San Francisco answered a 1-yard touchdown run by Dallas' Emmitt Smith with a 92-yard drive. The key was a 26-yard pass from Grbac to Rice, who had five catches in the game for 161 yards. Grbac found Loville wide open over the middle for 19 yards and a touchdown for a 31-7 halftime edge. A surly crowd booed the Cowboys off the field.
"It's OK to brag and boast and say what a great team you are but you've got to back it up," Smith said.
San Francisco had 292 yards offense in the first half. The Cowboys were giving up only 293.6 yards per game.
"This was a damn important game for our team," San Francisco coach George Seifert said. "We wanted to do everything we could to win this game."
Grbac also scored on a 1-yard run with 8:40 to play to cap a 72-yard drive.Young said Grbac was terrific.
"White hot pressure on somebody is a way to force some pretty good stuff," Young said.
Smith ran for 100 yards in 18 carries, but Irvin failed in his quest to set an NFL record with an eighth consecutive 100-yard receiving game, catching four passes for 37 yards. He got small consolation with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Jason Garrett with 4:19 to play.