Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Mike McCarthy on 49ers-Cowboys: “You dream to play in these kind of games”
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Kyle Shanahan knows that the Week 5 face-off between his San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys could be his team's toughest challenge yet of the 2023 season. The head coach holds immense respect for the Cowboys' defense, a unit that plays with speed up front.
"
Just how their pass rush [is], how fast they play," Shanahan said this week when asked about the unique challenge Sunday's game poses. "I mean, [defensive coordinator] Dan Quinn is as good as anyone at the D-line."
The 49ers are responsible for knocking the Cowboys out of the playoffs in each of the past two postseasons. Dallas is eager for a shot at redemption against their one-time bitter rival.
"It's an important game. You understand the history," McCarthy said Monday, per
Tom Dierberger of NBC Sports Bay Area. "There's obviously a lot of tradition with this game. That's all part of it. You live to play in these kind of games. You dream to play in these kind of games.
"You don't want to make it bigger than it is, but the reality is it's just not another game."
The current rivalry has certainly been one-sided over the past couple of years, favoring the 49ers. That's something the Cowboys hope to remedy on Sunday. This marks the 40th meeting between the two teams, with the all-time record deadlocked at 19-19-1.
The 49ers and Cowboys are considered top contenders in the NFC, with most viewing the former as owning one of the best rosters in the league. The showdown at Levi's Stadium on Sunday night could be pivotal in determining which team has a better chance of representing the conference in Super Bowl 58.
The fact that 49ers-Cowboys is a prime-time matchup only intensifies the spotlight on the game.
"These are kind of the games you live for and you enjoy," Shanahan admitted. "But it's a whole week to get there; big preparation. It's still going to be the same type of game as always, just starts a little bit later. It's still just going to be as long, but I know people will be amped up.
"I love it when the rest of the league gets to watch you when it's on national TV. It's great for all the fans and stuff, but it's really cool that, usually, the players and coaches are home by the end of the day, and they get to see that game, too. I know that's what we enjoy the most."
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
49ers Notebook: Nine years later, 49ers get Thanksgiving revenge over Seahawks; Shanahan, Purdy discuss key throws vs. Seahawks; What happened to Christian McCaffrey's helmet?
It took nine years, but the San Francisco 49ers finally got some payback on Thursday night for the Seattle Seahawks feasting on turkey after a win at Levi's Stadium in 2014.
The Seahawks' 19-3 win over the 49ers on Thanksgiving in 2014 was the last time either team played on Thanksgiving before Thursday night, and after that game then-Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and cornerback Richard Sherman dug into the postgame turkey at the 50-yard line of Levi's Stadium at a time when the rivalry between the two teams was at a peak. The 49ers flipped the script on Thursday, notching a 31-13 win over the Seahawks at Lumen Field in Seattle that was followed by a slew of 49ers getting their fill of Thanksgiving turkey, courtesy of NBC.
"That was a moment I'll remember
49ers vs. Seahawks Injury Report: O-line still working to get completely healthy
The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Week 12 contest against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.
Although the team did not practice on Monday, NFL rules mandate the release of a practice participation report ahead of a Thursday night game. The 49ers are obligated to estimate the level of participation players would have had if an actual practice had occurred.
Safety Talanoa Hufanga suffered a torn ACL during Sunday's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He will miss the remainder of the season.
While guard Aaron Banks has missed the last two games, head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed optimism that the offensive lineman might be able to play against the Seahawks. Guard Spencer Burford also would not have
No Huddle Podcast: 49ers Thanksgiving Revenge And Philly Week
(Episode 289) - Brian Renick is joined by Jason Aponte, the host of the Sprint Right Option podcast and also a Niners Nation contributor. The guys react to the Seahawks' win, the biggest takeaways on offense and defense, the NFC playoff picture, and Philly week!
The audio for the show is embedded above. Don't forget to subscribe!
You can listen to the latest "No Huddle Podcast" episode above, from our dedicated podcast page, on
Steve Young highlights remaining area of growth for 49ers QB Brock Purdy
Brock Purdy was perfect on Sunday during the San Francisco 49ers' 27-14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—at least regarding passer rating. The quarterback completed 21 of his 25 passing attempts for 333 yards and three touchdowns, earning a perfect passer rating of 158.3.
Steve Young, the former ESPN analyst and Hall of Fame player, believes there remains room for improvement. He emphasized that Purdy, drafted as the final overall pick last year, doesn't fit the prototype of quarterbacks selected higher in the draft, such as Jalen Hurts and C.J. Stroud, who possess different physical qualities.
"He's not the prototype,"
