Robinson Likes the 49ers Over Giants in Wild-Card Game

Ram Coach John Robinson said after the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Dallas Cowboys, 31-16, Sunday that both teams should be considered as strong contenders in the NFL playoffs.

The 49ers’ victory sent them to New Jersey for the NFC wild-card game next Sunday.

“If I were picking, I’d pick ‘em as a favorite over the Giants,” Robinson said. “They’ve been down this (playoff) road before, although not as a wild card. They’ll get the best out of themselves. They have the best defense we’ve seen.”

The Cowboys’ loss, with Gary Hogeboom replacing the injured Danny White, meant that the NFC East champions must play the NFC West champion Rams at Anaheim Jan. 4 or 5 and rendered tonight’s game against the Raiders technically meaningless.

“They were without their quarterback,” Robinson said. “That had to hurt them. I don’t even know what his injury is, but I’d assume he’d be back (for the playoffs).”

White’s condition was described as “generally beaten up.”