Heading into the 2024 playoffs, Dallas Cowboys fans couldn't help but voice their concerns over a potential rematch against the San Francisco 49ers. Little did fans know, though, that it was the upstart Packers that should've had the Cowboys on high alert.
At the risk of reliving maybe the worst playoff loss in franchise history, the Cowboys didn't even make it past the wild card round. Meanwhile, the 49ers disposed of the Packers in the Divisional Round and authored a second half comeback to beat the Lions in the NFC title game.
It marked San Francisco's second Super Bowl appearance in three years, including their third in five years, as well as their third straight appearance in the NFC Championship Game.
The Cowboys, on the other hand, haven't seen the third round of the playoffs since their last championship in 1995. They've become a punchline for the national media and rival fans ... and apparently rival players.
On an episode of Netflix's hit series Receivers, the Cowboys caught an unexpected stray from 49ers tight end George Kittle.
George Kittle's gesture shows the 49ers don't fear the Cowboys
Cowboys fans might recall Kittle's touchdown celebration in the Week 5 matchup against San Francisco last season. Kittle raised his jersey to reveal an NSFW anti-Dallas shirt. The All-Pro tight end was fined $15,000 for the gesture, but he doesn't have any regrets.
Kittle revealed he made a bunch of anti-Dallas shirts and gave them to the 49ers' tight ends. However, he was the only one to wear it. The moment captured Kittle showing off the shirt to his teammates, including wide receiver Deebo Samuel, and bracing for punishment from the NFL.
"It (the fine) was $15,000 and I don't regret it one bit," said Kittle. "Not one bit. And I might do it again if given the opportunity."
Kittle caught three touchdowns in the game en route to San Francisco's 42-10 demolition of the Cowboys. To add insult to injury, the game was a Sunday Night Football vehicle, so the entire country watched as Dallas wet the bed and Kittle executed one of the best troll jobs of the season.
If Kittle's gestures don't encapsulate the 49ers' dominance over the Cowboys, then nothing does. He (and everyone) knows San Fran has Dallas' number. They've won three straight games in the rivalry, including two playoff matchups and the aforementioned 32-point bludgeoning in October.
Sure enough, Kittle will get another opportunity to wear the shirt when the Cowboys visit the 49ers in Week 8 on Sunday Night Football. It's clear that San Francisco plays to crush Dallas whenever these teams meet, so rest assured Kittle will risk another fine to stick it to Mike McCarthy's group.
Another beatdown awaits if the Cowboys don't have their act together.
