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5 issues to learn about San Francisco 49ers, together with their ‘physique bag’ degree of physicality

It may be the Cowboys and 49ers in the postseason, but it isn’t your ’90s rivalry. Dak Prescott vs Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t Troy Aikman vs Steve Young.

The teams are the same, but the themes and the styles of each are definitely different.

What storylines and players should Dallas Cowboys fans keep an eye on this week from a San Francisco perspective? Here’s a look at five of them:

The Niners shouldn’t be here

Or, at least, the odds were incredibly against San Francisco making the playoffs. San Francisco started the season 3-5, and though playoff odds at that point were an afterthought, the percentages couldn’t have been high. San Francisco went on a 6-2 run, setting up – what turned out to be – a win or go home final game against the Rams.

The odds were against the Niners winning that final game, as well.

When the 49ers punted with 1:57 left on Sunday and trailing by a touchdown, there was a 0.4 percent chance the 49ers would beat the Rams. They needed to force a three-and-out, score on a game-tying drive to force overtime and ultimately win with their new OT life.

The Niners did eventually come back to win – after coming back from down 17 point earlier – marking the lowest probability victory by any team since 2016.

It took a lot for San Francisco to make the postseason. It also took the Cowboys winning and Seattle beating the Cardinals in Week 18 to set up a matchup between the two clubs. The odds were low, but here we are.

49ers’ physical priority

Before San Francisco’s game against the Rams, the term “body bag game” was used by many of the 49ers. The point: both teams were going to be so physical in that game, that one team was leaving in a metaphorical body bag.

In a time where the passing game is king, the 49ers can be unique. Head coach Kyle Shanahan told Fox Sports analyst Troy Aikman that he wanted to run the ball 40 times or more on Sunday against the Rams, but they’d settle for 30. They finished with 30 carries for 135 yards.

Perhaps the best testament to the 49ers’ affinity for running the ball is what they did on the opening drive of a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars this season. The 49ers consumed 13 minutes and five seconds of play clock in 20 plays, ultimately settling for a short Robbie Gould field goal.

It’s the way the 49ers run the ball that makes them a physical matchup, as well. Kyle Juszczyk, a Harvard alum, was the most used fullback in the NFL in 2020, according to Next Gen Stats, and had a similar workload this past season. Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle has been known to laugh maniacally when he makes pancake blocks.

After Sunday’s win over the Rams, Kittle told reporters that some Rams players started “chirping” at him when the Rams were up 17-0.

“We’re putting you in a body bag Kittle,” the Niners tight end recalled hearing.

He then ended his media availability with this: “I hope I can see them again, because that was a fun body bag game.”

If the Dallas defense wants to avoid a body bag game, it’ll have to shut down the run first. The Cowboys are allowing 4.5 yards per carry and have surrendered the third-most 20-plus yard runs in the league.

Injury watch

The biggest injury storyline last week for the 49ers was whether starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was healthy enough to play. Two weeks before he had suffered a torn ligament in his throwing thumb. Garoppolo eventually played for the Niners and threw for over 300 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the comeback win.

Garoppolo’s injury stole headlines in the week, but it might not have been the most significant. Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams missed Sunday’s game against the Rams with an elbow injury.

If Williams can’t play against Dallas it’ll be a significant loss for the 49ers. Williams finished the regular season with the highest Pro Football Focus grade ever given (98.2). He also had the highest run-block grade in the league among offensive linemen.

Second-year lineman Colton McKivitz starts at Williams place against the Rams.

The 49ers also previously lost starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey for the season due to injury, but backup Tom Compton has played well for them.

Another injury of note: 49ers slot corner K’Wuan Williams was inactive against the Rams this past Sunday. He’s been a key player for the Niners in a secondary that could use him (but more on that later).

Mr. Do-It-All

Cowboys fans didn’t get the chance to see 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel in Dallas’ win last season. This time, they should see a lot of him.

Samuel earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl after a monster season. He finished the regular season with 77 receptions for 1,402 yards and six touchdowns. That, in itself, would be enough to earn the spotlight of the Cowboys’ defense on Sunday. But Samuel also had eight rushing touchdowns this season, breaking the record for most by a wide receiver. The 6-foot, 215-pound South Carolina alum was touted as a running back in a wide receiver’s body when he was drafted three years ago. This season, the 49ers took that to heart, lining him up at running back often.

Samuel even threw a touchdown pass in Sunday’s win over Los Angeles.

If there’s one 49ers player Cowboys fans should keep an eye on Sunday, it’s Samuel.

San Francisco’s vulnerability

The Cowboys’ biggest strength might be its high-powered passing attack. Good news, Dallas fans: that matches up well with the 49ers’ biggest weak point.

Most of the defensive statistics are good for a 49ers defense that finished third in total yards allowed per game, but one of the most telling numbers for San Francisco is how many defensive pass interferences it’s allowed. The Niners lead the league with 20 defensive pass interferences called against them for a whopping 367 yards. The next worst team, Tampa Bay, has had 14.

Dallas, on the other hand, has had 14 defensive pass interferences called while on offense. That’s the second most in the league, giving the Cowboys an extra 154 yards of offense this season.

CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson are a tough ask for any secondary, especially San Francisco’s. That’ll be even truer if Williams is out for a second straight week.

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Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

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