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WATCH: 49ers coach gives insightful answer to unusual play design ahead of Cowboys matchup

Stephen Samraby: Steve Samra01/16/22SamraSource

As the 49ers ready for a showdown with the Dallas Cowboys, offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is receiving praise around the league. It’s tough to standout as an offensive mind when Kyle Shanahan is your boss, but McDaniel has fans clamoring for teams to hire him as their coach.

For almost a decade, McDaniel has been Shanahan’s closest confidant. However, this is his first season as the team’s offensive coordinator. Even through multiple players battling injuries on his team, McDaniel got the best out of the San Francisco offense — specifically their running game.

As the team prepares for Dallas, the uniqueness of the 49ers offense has been one of the main points of preparation. For example, McDaniel has utilized pitching the ball on inside runs for the team’s offense. In a press conference earlier this week, McDaniel explained the thought process of doing so.

“Not a dumb question,” began McDaniel. “The value is what you just said. You do that when you feel like there’s something that the defense is keyed on. And when the quarterback reverses out and tosses the ball, you might get over-play. There’s a ton of different variables, but that would be it in itself — the usual.

“You try to be sound, but also get defenses a hair off. Because if they’re a hair off, that gives us an advantage. With a lot of players that we’re very confident in, that could be the difference in three yards or fifteen yards.”

As you can see, McDaniel is one of the most forward thinking assistants in the NFL. In a league driven by offense, it won’t be surprising to see the offensive coordinator get a head coaching job this cycle. Even if he doesn’t, it’s only a matter of time until it happens.

More on Mike McDaniel, San Francisco 49ers

When the 49ers take the field in Dallas, McDaniel will have to bring his best against the Cowboys defense. While they’ve been more vulnerable when they play against teams with winning records, Dallas still boasts one of the most impressive units in the entire league.

The two biggest factors for the San Francisco offense will be running back Elijah Mitchell and wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Mitchell will be tasked with carrying the load, while Samuel can make an impact in both the rushing and receiving games.

Finally, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo must play well if the 49ers are to find victory. It could be his final game with the franchise, as rookie Trey Lance is waiting in the wings to be his successor.

When the 49ers take the field against the Cowboys, one of the oldest rivalries in the NFL will be renewed. Luckily, Mike McDaniel brings some new school flavor for San Francisco to the showdown.