A new #NVP is crowned! Congrats Dak Prescott 🧡 https://t.co/NHd15RrX0a
— Nickelodeon (@Nickelodeon) January 17, 2022
The rivalry between the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys is legendary, and the latest installment was exactly that as well. San Francisco topped Dallas, 23-17, in a game that looked over early but proved to be anything but during a thrilling fourth quarter.
With a minute remaining and Dallas having no timeouts, 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel looked to have sealed the game with an 11-yard rush on third-and-10. But after review, he was deemed a yard short, forcing a punt.
Dallas then had 32 seconds to drive the length of the field and potentially win the game. Quarterback Dak Prescott completed passes to Cedrick Wilson, Tony Pollard and Dalton Schultz before gaining 17 on a late rushing attempt. After the rush, which put Dallas at San Francisco's 24-yard line, Prescott couldn't spike the ball in time to get another play off, sending the 49ers to the Divisional Round.
San Francisco jumped to a 16-7 first half lead thanks to a rushing touchdown from Elijah Mitchell and three field goals from Robbie Gould. It proved to be an insurmountable lead.
The 2022 NFL Wild Card game on Nickelodeon brought a ton of kid-focused content in addition to the thrilling on-field product. Here's some of what the family-friendly broadcast had to offer:
A replay of Dak's TD...except with everyone as NINJA TURTLES!!! #NickWildCard pic.twitter.com/cuWTSX9phP
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) January 17, 2022
"Almost" as fast as Sonic! Just a few more MPHs @EzekielElliott 😉 #NickWildCard pic.twitter.com/EbAnZPf4tn
— Nickelodeon (@Nickelodeon) January 16, 2022
Can't stop watching the slime monster coming out of the #NickWildCard field 😱 pic.twitter.com/n2uIcgntXG
— Nickelodeon (@Nickelodeon) January 16, 2022
George Kittle literally wouldn't fit in Bikini Bottom. #NickWildCard pic.twitter.com/hzI2hi3FuR
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) January 17, 2022
THEY'RE SELLING KRABBY PATTIES AT AT&T STADIUM!!! #NickWildCard pic.twitter.com/J7ZlETbKLd
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) January 16, 2022
Hey @SpongeBob, was the field goal attempt good? #NickWildCard pic.twitter.com/c08TUKRELD
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) January 16, 2022
Despite the loss, Prescott won the NVP – the game's most valuable player award – with 81% of the vote. Prescott finished 23-43 for 254 yards with a touchdown and an interception to go along with his rushing touchdown. This makes it two-straight Wild Card NVPs to losing quarterbacks, as then-Chicago Bears starter Mitch Trubisky won the inaugural award after a loss to the New Orleans Saints a season ago.
The torch has been passed.
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) January 17, 2022
Congratulations to the new #NVP, Dak Prescott! pic.twitter.com/e6tUvFYcLn
This NFL Wild Card Game on Nickelodeon followed its wildly successful 2021 debut, the first ever NFL broadcast geared toward kids and families. The 2021 game between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears was Nickelodeon's most-watched program in nearly four years and won two Sports Emmys.
With the win, San Francisco will play the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round at Lambeau Field next week.