Even though the Cowboys are out, fans can still pick sides. Fish offers his controversial guide for who to cheer for (or against) this playoff weekend.
FRISCO - Your Dallas Cowboys are scattered about, from Cancun to the couch and all points in between.
But just because the Cowboys aren’t in these NFL playoffs doesn’t mean Dallas fans need to go without.
Here’s Fish’s “Hateful 8 Cowboys Rooting (and Booing) Playoff Guide” for this weekend …
Bills at Broncos, 3:30 pm CT Saturday
BILLS
Key take: This is a rematch of last January’s Wild-Card game at Buffalo. The Bills demolished the Broncos, 31-7. Have the two teams changed all that much?
Local rooting interest: Brandin Cooks, 32, is emerging as Buffalo’s top outside receiver. (Which speaks volumes about how the Buffalo front office has failed QB Josh Allen in terms of weaponry.) He’s got seven catches off 11 targets for 159 yards in his last two appearances.
Reason to root against: They voted against it but use it “cheatingly’’: The Bills are the “Tush Push Hypocrites.’’
Super Bowl race with Dallas? They have … 0
BRONCOS
Key take: The Bills can’t stop the run. They allowed 4.99 yards per carry this season, then last week gave up 121 yards (8.1 YPC!) in a win at the Jaguars. Is Denver rookie back RJ Harvey ready for this?
Local rooting interest: Courtland Sutton, Denver’s best offensive weapon, is from Brenham and SMU.
Reason to root against: Sean Payton might be “The Cowboys Coach Who Got Away.’’ But no NFL coach is more arrogant and snooty and snotty than Sean.
Super Bowl race with Dallas? They have … 3.
Fish Predicts: Bills as 1.5-point underdogs? I’ll take that. … maybe because I’m biased toward Buffalo fans who need to be thrown a bone eventually here.
49ers at Seahawks (7 pm Saturday)
SEATTLE
Key take: No George Kittle … and a Seahawks defense that is rested and healthy coming off its first-round bye after finishing the regular season having allowed a league-low 6.0 yards per pass attempt. Hmm.
Local rooting interest: Jaxon Smith-Njigba of Rockwall is an emerging superstar who this year vs. the Niners had stat lines of 6 catches for 84 yards and 9 for 124.
Reason to root against: DeMarcus Lawrence has been a bad man for them in his first season since leaving Dallas. … making the Cowboys’ goodbye to him look like a big mistake. Oh, and Tank likes being the villain. So be it!
Super Bowl race with Dallas? They have … 1.
49ERS
Key take: Brock Purdy is 4-0 as a starter in Seattle!
Local rooting interest: Eric Kendricks is with them now? Linebacker-starved Dallas couldn’t have used him?
Reason to root against: Hey, they’re the 49ers!
Super Bowl race with Dallas? They have … 5!
Fish Predicts: Seattle favored by 7? Seahawks win but don’t cover.
Houston at Patriots (2 pm Sunday)
TEXANS
Key take: The Texans have the NFL’s No. 1-ranked defense. Does “defense wins championships’’ really work?
Local rooting interest: C’mon, Big D, let little brother get in on some of the fun!
Reason to root against: Screw that armpit! Screw Houston!
Super Bowl race with Dallas? They have … 0.
NEW ENGLAND
Key take: Drake Maye is a stud. But the 23-year-old quarterback in his playoff debut committed two turnovers and was sacked five times against the Chargers. Is he ready for prime time?
Local rooting interest: Christian Rodriguez has put his concussion behind him as the standout DB looks to make his hometown of The Colony proud.
Reason to root against: Those “Mass-holes.’’
Super Bowl race with Dallas? They have … 6. Good luck catching owner Robert Kraft, Jerry.
Fish Predicts: No Nico Collins? That means no problem for 3.5-point favorite New England.
Rams at Bears, 5:30 pm Sunday
RAMS
Key take: Their defense has allowed 30 points per game over its last five outings, but Sean McVay’s offense leads the NFL in scoring at 30.7 points per game. Sounds like a familiar formula, eh, Cowboys Nation?
Local rooting interest: Matthew Stafford ofHighland Park High School, of course.
Reason to root against: Jerry and Stephen Jones keep pushing this “Pay the Piper’’ theory to defend the idea of not using a salary-cap credit card. … and for a half-a-decade now, the consistent contender from LA keeps proving them wrong.
Super Bowl race with Dallas? They have … 2.
BEARS
Key Caleb Williams just led his Bears to an 18-point, come-from-behind win against the Packers in the divisional round. Emotionally, I think maybe they just won their Super Bowl.
Local rooting interest: Nashon Wright and Al Harris, two ex-Cowboys figures made good.
Reason to root against: Ben Johnson. I mean, “(Expletive) The Packers!’’ is a fine sentiment. But he was insufferable way before that.
Super Bowl race with Dallas? They have … 1.
Fish Predicts: The Rams offense looks like a machine. Rams on the road in the cold? LA coach Sean McVay says the cold weather “doesn’t mean (expletive).’’ I bet he - and oddmakers who have the road team as a 3.5-point fave - are right.