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The 49ers are just one day away from hosting the Dallas Cowboys in what could be the biggest game ever at Levi’s Stadium in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.

The winner will advance to the NFC Championship Game on January 29, one step closer to Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona.

In a classic rivalry for the books, these two teams will turn the page and write their own story on Sunday.

Can rookie quarterback Brock Purdy lead the 49ers to their second consecutive NFC championship, or will Dak Prescott lead the Cowboys to their first NFC championship in 27 years?

This is what people on the interwebs are saying.

NFL Senior Reporter Albert Bria
Pick: 49ers

Mitch Goldich, Editor
Pick: 49ers

Gary Gramling, Senior Editor
Pick: Cowboys

Connor Orr, Senior Writer
Pick: 49ers

Chief Editor John Prime
Pick: 49ers

These responses are from two anonymous executives and three assistant coaches.

“The Cowboys have the ability to create the type of pressure that makes Purdy look like a rookie and make mistakes.”

“Dallas will make life difficult, but there are too many weapons for the San Francisco offensive,” said another executive.

“The Cowboys are a big upset,” said the coach. “The Cowboys defense will stop running and confuse the rookie QB.”

“The Cowboys are explosive,” said the coach who picked the 49ers. “I think Kyle knows how to attack Dunn’s defense and make plays.”

Expert Picks: 49ers 3, Cowboys 2

“What to watch: Niners quarterback Brock Purdy has passed every test that has ever been put in front of him, but the Cowboys’ defense has been the biggest challenge Purdy and the 49ers offense have faced. The Cowboys led the NFL in pressure percentage (39%) and finished second in sacks per dropback in the season (8.6%). Since becoming a starter, he has handled the pressure well in a smaller sample with four touchdown passes and no interceptions when forced. It will be of great help to us.” — Nick Wagoner

“Bold Prediction: Brett Maher scores a 47-yard field goal to win the game against the 49ers and send the Cowboys to their first NFC Championship Game since the 1995 season. For the Buccaneers, all eyes are on Maher. And he’ll look like a kicker who set the Cowboys’ scoring record in a season and missed just three field goal attempts and three PATs during the regular season. , it’s bold.” — Todd Archer

Eric Moody picks: 49ers 34, Cowboys 27
Seth Wolder picks: 49ers 30, Cowboys 28
FPI forecast: DAL, 53.2% (average 0.9 points)

“The crazy thing about this game is that it can definitely turn into an offensive shootout. After Week 7, these are the two highest-scoring teams in the NFL, and that’s largely because both teams Something big happened that week: the 49ers traded for Christian McCaffrey and Dak Prescott returned from injury.

“This game could be a shootout, but it could also be a defensive one because both teams are in the top five for the fewest goals conceded in 2022.”

“The most compelling coaching matchup in this game undoubtedly involves Kyle Shanahan’s offense and Dan Quinn’s defense. I swear. Whenever two guys are on the same field, no matter what. Or something crazy happens… I’m sure everyone remembers the Falcons epic… Collapse in Super Bowl LI. In that game, the Falcons’ head coach was Quinn and the offensive coordinator was Shanahan.

“The 49ers were one of the best teams in the NFL this year, but it remains to be seen how they will hold up against the good teams. 7-0 against the NFC West team and 7-4 against other teams). Purdy looked great, but he played five teams in the regular season and finished with a 35-49-1 combined record.

Pete Prisco
Pick: Cowboys

Jason La Campora
Pick: 49ers

Will Brinson
Pick: 49ers

Jared Dubin
Pick: 49ers

Ryan Wilson
Pick: Cowboys

John Bleach
Pick: Cowboys

Dave Richard
Pick: Cowboys

Jamie Eisenberg
Pick: 49ers

Game Prediction: Cowboys 27, 49ers 26

“The Niners look to be one of the most balanced, balanced teams on the playoff field. Kyle Shanahan devised a plan to allow Purdy to shine. The 49ers’ defense is excellent at every level, and a good fit for the Cowboys.”

Lorenzo Reyes: 31 with 49ers, 23 with Cowboys

“The 49ers and Cowboys were the only teams to explode in the Wild Card Round. San Francisco won at home and Dallas won away. The hottest QBs to come, Nick Bosa and Micah Parsons were also leaders in their respective troublesome defensive performances.

“The 49ers are on an 11-game winning streak, adding depth and variety to their offensive arsenal around Purdy. They also have a key advantage on home field and the rest of the game. is a point that gives San Francisco an edge and a comfortable control in the 4th quarter.”

The Pick: The 49ers win 31-24 to cover the spread.

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“Michael David Smith’s take: After watching the Cowboys dominate the Buccaneers on Monday night, I’m tempted to pick an upset here… But Brock Purdy’s 49ers offense and 49ers defense It’s going to force Dak Prescott through a few turnovers to win low-scoring games.”

MDS picks: 49ers 17, Cowboys 16

“Mike Florio’s take: The 49ers have a lot of badass players who can roll out of bed and run through brick walls. And coach Kyle Shanahan takes it lightly, but he We know a two-day extension can make a world of difference, especially on the Cowboys, when defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is interviewing for a Broncos job, or cracking Shanahan’s code We need to be prepared to do so and not have our own code cracked.”

Florio Picks: 49ers 24, Cowboys 17

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