Jones-Drew: Great defense, run game, Deebo Samuel can take playoff-bound 49ers far

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel called his San Francisco 49ers a "real dangerous" team heading into the postseason.

"It's about to get scary," Samuel said in a post-game interview.

NFL Media's Maurice Jones-Drew agrees. In the wide-open NFC playoffs, the 49ers could be one of the more intriguing teams. Most left them for dead after a 2-4 start to the season. However, they finished strong, winning eight of their last 11, including Sunday's thrilling 27-24 overtime victory to secure a playoff spot.

Jones-Drew believes the 49ers have what it takes to make some noise and go as far as they want.

"Listen, this is the thing," Jones-Drew said on-air after the game. "The Niners have a great defense, and they can run the ball. With Deebo Samuel and their running game, [it] can take them as far as you want to go. That's how you win in the playoffs."

Up first for Kyle Shanahan's squad are the Dallas Cowboys, who will host the 49ers on Sunday at AT&T Stadium. Should San Francisco be worried about facing the NFC East champions to start the playoffs?

"I am worried that the Niners are in the playoffs," Jones-Drew responded.

It sounds like the former NFL running back believes the Niners have a shot at pulling off a Wild-Card upset.

"Now, you're going to say that the Dallas Cowboys have a good defense. Yes, they do," Jones-Drew explained. "But the problem is, if your offense is struggling like they have when they're not playing the Eagles when they're resting guys, or any team outside the [NFC East], when they struggle like that, you do not want [your defense] to be on the field for 10 minutes, 11 minutes, 12-minute drives. And that's where the Niners beat you.

"They wear you down. They're a physical team. They're going to wear you down. It's going to be important for Dallas to score quickly."