Kyle Shanahan sees improved Cowboys team as 49ers prepare for playoff rematch

The San Francisco 49ers are preparing to host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. It's a rematch of last season's playoff meeting, which resulted in a 23-17 49ers victory. Some have argued that the Cowboys are very similar to that team that lost in the Wild Card Round last year and that the 49ers are improved, making San Francisco the clear favorite. Head coach Kyle Shanahan isn't listening to any of that. Instead, he was impressed by what he saw from Dallas during Monday night's rout of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"They're a good team," Shanahan told reporters before Wednesday's practice. "They've been that all year. They probably looked their best on Monday night, which you expected them to, just with the atmosphere and everything. They've been good for a while, and just watching them this week, it reminds me of their team from last year, only improved."

The Cowboys finished the regular season with the No. 10 ranked offense and was No. 3 in scoring. Their 24 rushing touchdowns as a team were second only to the Philadelphia Eagles (32).

Reflecting on last year's playoff win over the Cowboys, Shanahan focuses on the late-game mistakes that made the contest closer than it should have been. However, the coach acknowledges that last year's matchup has nothing to do with Sunday's game.

Dan Quinn, Shanahan's former boss in Atlanta, is the Cowboys' defensive coordinator. Shanahan has been impressed with the effort he has gotten out of the talented unit but doesn't believe the familiarity with Quinn's system gives the 49ers an advantage. The preparation process for planning against the Cowboys defense will be similar to other games.

Sunday will be a challenge.

"They've got some real good rushers," Shanahan admits. "Everyone knows about [DeMarcus] Lawrence and [Micah] Parsons, but there's not one bad one there. The way that they stunt, the way they can create one-on-ones, there's a reason they're number one in getting to the quarterback with sacks and pressures, and it does jump off the tape."

Quarterback Dak Prescott has had better seasons. His 15 interceptions tied with Davis Mills of the Houston Texans for the most in the league. However, Prescott threw four touchdowns in the 31-14 win against the Buccaneers on Monday night. The 49ers understand they can't underestimate anyone when in the postseason.

"Dak's always been a challenge," Shanahan acknowledged. "When you're a pure pocket passer who can make all the throws in there and read the defense real well and get the ball to the right spots and do it accurately, that's why he's had the career he's had. And when things do break down, he's got a knack for how to get out of that pocket and make some off-schedule plays. That's why he's had a successful career so far."

The 49ers and Cowboys kick off from Levi's Stadium on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. PT. The winner advances to the NFC Championship Game on January 29.