WAR OF WORDS HEATS UP AS NINERS, COWBOYS PREPARE FOR SUNDAY SHOWDOWN

   (c) Copyright the News & Observer Publishing Co. and The Associated
   Press, 1994 
   
   
   IRVING, Texas (AP) -- After three consecutive victories over the San
   Francisco 49ers, the Dallas Cowboys feel the heat is on their rivals
   heading into Sunday's NFC showdown in Candlestick Park.
   
   "This week is what it's all about but I can guarantee the 49ers we're
   no Michael Moorer," said offensive lineman Nate Newton, referring to
   the ex-heavyweight champion, who lost his title to George Foreman last
   Saturday.
   
   Fullback Daryl Johnston said the Cowboys feel that despite two
   consecutive NFC championship victories over the 49ers "they still
   don't respect us. They don't think it's going to happen again. They
   don't think they're going to lose to us again. "
   
   Johnston said it's just another game to the Cowboys while the 49ers
   have all the pressure. "This is just week 10 on our schedule," he
   said. "It's not going to make or break us."
   
   The Cowboys are 8-1, best in the NFL, and San Francisco is 7-2.
   
   "It's not any more important than the other 15 games will be,"
   quarterback Troy Aikman said. "It could have some significance to the
   home field but beyond that it's not any more important. The fans and
   the media are excited. The media has been pointing to this game since
   the schedules came out."
   
   Aikman said, "We've won the Super Bowl the last two years and that's
   their goal. We came out of nowhere two years ago to beat the 49ers in
   the NFC title game. Last year we proved it was no fluke. I guess San
   Francisco sees the game as a measuring stick."
   
   Aikman said the fact the Cowboys played a Monday night game and will
   have to fly to the West Coast should have no bearing.
   
   "We usually handle that real well," Aikman said.
   
   Wide receiver Michael Irvin said the game "is more of a rivalry for
   them than it is for us. All I know is we'll be ready. We have the
   mentality we're going to win no matter who we play."
   
   The Cowboys found humor in the fact they are three-point underdogs.
   
   "I love being the underdog," said running back Emmitt Smith. "That's
   great. Being the underdog doesn't mean anything. You only lose if you
   think you're going to lose. I think it's funny we're the underdog."
   
   Smith said the 49ers have built their team trying to match up with the
   Cowboys.
   
   "It would be a big feather in their pocket if they win," Smith said.
   "But it's not the end of the world to us if we lose. In fact, I've
   seen teams like Detroit beat us and have trouble winning another game
   because it takes so much out of them."
   
   Coach George Seifert of the 49ers agreed all the heat is on San
   Francisco.
   
   "I agree the pressure is on us," Seifert said. "Dallas is the world
   champion and we're trying to catch up again."