With a statement win over the Dallas Cowboys, the San Francisco 49ers are somewhat surprisingly in the Divisional Round. They will now face the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night – and hope for the return of two injured players.

Munich – The players of the San Francisco 49ers had joy written all over their faces.

Thanks to a wild 23:17 win at the Dallas Cowboys, Head Coach Kyle Shanahan’s team moves on to the next playoff round. However, the Niners do not have much time to celebrate: The best team of the regular season, the Green Bay Packers, awaits the sixth-placed team in the NFC on Saturday night.

The role of the underdog could once again play into the 49ers’ hands.

San Francisco 49ers: Against all expectations

To give his players extra motivation ahead of their clash with the Cowboys, coach Shanahan reached into his bag of tricks. “These players are going to be heroes with what they do in the playoffs, not in the regular season,” the 42-year-old said.

“I don’t think our players really had that rivalry on their radar. Now they’ve checked it out. But they knew when to be ready,” he further praised his team. Thus, he said, it made no difference that the Cowboys had won twelve games in the Regular Season.

The head coach seems to have prepared his team perfectly mentally for the task: “We just wanted to play football at a high level and win the games that really matter,” said tight end George Kittle.

In the process, the 49ers also proved that they can prevail in wild games in the end.

San Francisco 49ers: rollercoaster ride of emotions

“It was a very emotional game,” quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said. “It definitely had its ups and downs,” he continued. Although it was close in the closing seconds, the playmaker had great confidence in his team, “It still didn’t feel like it was going to get out of our hands. We were in control all the time.”

While the offence started to struggle more and more, especially in the second half, the strong defence kept things together. “It was like a roller coaster ride. Some ups and downs. Sometimes you couldn’t even place the situations,” Kittle admitted.

Against the league’s best offense, the Niners allowed just 17 points. Time and again the pass rush broke through and regularly put Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott under pressure – the San Francisco front managed a sack no less than five times.

The run defence also played its part. The 49ers allowed just 77 yards to Ezekiel Elliott and Co.: “They have only one win and five losses when they have run for less than 100 yards. That’s our goal. Keeping them under that mark,” said defensive end Arik Armstead, explaining the master plan for victory.

Given the injuries to two of the most important players, the defensive performance is all the more creditable.

49ers fear for Fred Warner and Nick Bosa

After a nasty collision with his own teammate, superstar Nick Bosa had to leave the game with a concussion in the second quarter. Linebacker and defensive captain Fred Warner was also unable to play in the decisive phase due to an ankle injury.

Still, the defensive pressure should continue: “That says so much about our team. We lose two of our best players and also the captain and yet we were able to cruise home with the win. The way a lot of the players have fought their way back over the last few months is extraordinary,” Shanahan also praised his team’s willpower.

The 49ers are hoping for a quick return of their two stars in order to be able to hold their own against the Packers. The head coach at least gives the fans hope: “We’re not sure, but he should have a chance to play,” Shanahan said about the banged-up Warner.

With Bosa, he said it would be a case of waiting to see how much progress he could make over the week. Only after he goes through the NFL’s concussion protocol and gets confirmation from an independent doctor will he be allowed to travel with the team to Green Bay.

The 49ers can expect an icy affair at Lambeau Field. In order to hold their own with Aaron Rodgers and company, they’ll have to stick to their game plan.

49ers at Packers: Relying on their strengths

Against the Cowboys, the 49ers were able to rely on their playmakers in the running game. Both running back Elijah Mitchell (96 yards, one touchdown) and all-purpose weapon Deebo Samuel (72 yards, one touchdown) were almost unstoppable.

Shanahan is likely to follow a similar plan against the Packers. Since the 49ers are likely to start the game as underdogs again, they have little to lose anyway. It will be all the more important to stick to their strengths.

Green Bay allows an average of 4.6 rushing yards per attempt. A weakness that the Niners will have to exploit consistently to have a chance. In tight situations, it will also depend on Jimmy Garoppolo, who needs a great day.

This year’s game in the regular season should give San Francisco additional reason for hope. Although it was a narrow 28-30 loss, the 49ers showed even then that they can bring the Packers to the brink of defeat.

If Kyle Shanahan manages to motivate the team like he did against the Cowboys and push them to the limit, the Packers will also have to dress warmly – the 49ers in this form are definitely a force to be reckoned with.