Who is the guy? Kyle Shanahan

The 49ers are one of the few teams on offense in which you could say the system matters more than the players. Shanahan and his creative stretch-bootleg system has been able to produce dominant running games and explosive aerial attacks with a hodgepodge of quarterbacks, running backs, and pass catchers rotating in and out of the lineup. The offensive utilizes a mix of exotic pre-snap shifts and motions to mask the 49ers' small menu of play to get defenses off balance while making the game easier for his playmakers.

Know His Name… Fred Warner

The monster in the middle of the 49ers' defense is a third-year pro with exceptional instincts, awareness, and playmaking ability. Warner is a sideline to sideline tackling machine with the speed, quickness, and burst to track down runners in pursuit. As a natural space player in coverage, the 49ers' middle linebacker is a nightmare against the run and pass for opponents.

Don't Sleep On… Brandon Aiyuk

The 49ers' first-round pick has quietly posted impressive numbers as a first-year starter on the perimeter. Aiyuk leads the team in receptions (50), receiving yards (660), and touchdown receptions (4) while mastering the nuances of the position on the fly. As the 49ers' No.1 option in the passing game with George Kittle and Deebo Samuel on the sidelines due to injuries, the rookie pass-catcher could be a major factor if the game becomes a shootout.

Under Pressure… Nick Mullens

The 49ers' QB2 is on the hot seat after a series of disappointing performances prompted Shanahan to entertain a quarterback change this week. Mullens gets the nod but he is likely on a short leash with four interceptions and a handful of critical errors in his last three games. If the third-year pro gets off to a slow start against the Cowboys, he could get a quick hook from Shanahan as the offense looks for more consistency from the position.

Numbers Game

The 49ers have the second-most giveaways in the NFL (29) heading into their matchup with the Cowboys. The team has committed at least two turnovers in seven straight games and is on the verge of tying the franchise record (8-game streak in 2008) with another turnover spree.

Matchup to Watch… Amari Cooper vs. Richard Sherman

The three-time All-Pro is no longer the shutdown corner that blanketed receivers on the island in his prime but he remains one of the top ball hawks in the game with a knack for picking off passes thrown in his direction. Against Cooper, Sherman will shadow the Cowboys' WR1 from distance to take away the deep ball while looking to steal an errant pass from Andy Dalton in his area. Given his 36 career interceptions and outstanding instincts, it will interesting to see how the Cowboys attack his side of the field with the passing game.

Offensive Strategy

The 49ers' zone-based running game and complementary play-action pass attack is one of the most difficult schemes to defend. The synchronization of the running game exploit undisciplined defenders and enables a stable of hard-nosed backs to gobble up yards on the perimeter. Shanahan complements the running game with a series of mirrored play-pass concepts that test the discipline and awareness of second-level defenders lured to the line of scrimmage with the threat of the run. With the offensive wizard also mixing in a variety of shifts and motions on every play, the Cowboys' defense must ignore the eye candy and focus on staying true to their assignments to contain an explosive offense.

Defensive Strategy

Credit defensive coordinator Robert Saleh for expanding on his single-high safety defense to accommodate the injuries that have plagued the 49ers this season. The energetic defensive play-caller has found a way to throw a blanket around passing games with an umbrella coverage that enables his defenders to play fast and aggressive on the perimeter. In addition, he has sprinkled in an assortment of stunts and games at the line of scrimmage with his hard-working trench players to blow up blocking schemes and pass protection at the point of attack. Although the 49ers' simple scheme is plucked straight from a high school playbook, Saleh has found a way to get his guys to stifle opponents with their effort, energy, and execution.