4 bold predictions for Cowboys vs 49ers Divisional Round matchup

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 04: Head Coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter of an NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on December 04, 2022, in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

2. Dan Quinn’s Familiarity with Kyle Shanahan

A story that has been overshadowed by the revenge factor in this game is the chess match between friends turned rivals, Dan Quinn and Kyle Shanahan. Both know each other very well from their time with the Atlanta Falcons and since leaving they’ve faced off twice with each winning one game. We know the players but in this game, it could come down to how well they know the other and their tendencies in certain situations. Since the last time they met last season, both have added new pieces to the respective units and will be looking to use them on Sunday to get the upper hand.

Kyle Shanahan: “The way (Dan Quinn) gets those guys to move, they have some really good rushers. Everyone knows about Lawrence & Parsons, but there’s not one bad one there. The way they stunt, the way they can create 1on1s, there’s a reason they’re No. 1 in getting to the (QB).”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 18, 2023

For Shanahan, it’s Christian McCaffery who will be a focal point in his offense. But for Quinn, he’s got new pieces at every level of the defense which will allow him to show different looks and create matchup problems in order to try and throw Shanahan off his game. Quinn’s experience coaching with and against Shanahan will give the Cowboys an edge in this game compared to the other teams the 49ers have faced this season.

Game Prediction: The scheme that Quinn will deploy will make Shanahan abandon the run early and force Purdy to make mistakes in the passing game leading to three interceptions.

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