SANTA CLARA — Facing the Dallas Cowboys one week before Haason Reddick and the Philadelphia Eagles might have been important preparation for the 49ers' offensive line.
While the two teams' defensive schemes are very different, Cowboys star pass rusher Micah Parsons' abilities are incredibly similar to Reddick’s skill set. Second-year guard Aaron Banks believes facing Parsons' speed off the edge in the divisional round has prepared the group for what is to come on Sunday.
“The only one who is similar is Parsons and No. 7 [Reddick],” Banks told NBC Sports Bay Area on Thursday. “At this point in the season, everyone is playing physical and everyone is playing hard. It’s hard to compare them to this team because they are different across the board.”
Through 17 regular-season games, Parsons racked up 13.5 quarterback sacks, 27 hits, 11 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and three pass breakups. The edge rusher’s speed allowed him to register six pressures -- five hurries, one hit on Brock Purdy -- in the divisional round.
Reddick has similar stats, recording 16 regular-season sacks, 26 hits, 11 tackles for a loss, five forced fumbles and three pass breakups. Both have elite speed off the edge and can play across the line.
Veteran tackle Mike McGlinchey might face the biggest challenge of the group once again, as Reddick lines up primarily across from the right tackle before the snap. Of his 793 defensive snaps, the All-Pro pass rusher has appeared on the left side of the defensive front over 82 percent of the time.
“It prepared us a lot,” McGlinchey said of the matchup against the Cowboys. “I think that game had a lot of value for us. Obviously a different style, but the same kind of message that you have to win and convert on third to stay on schedule.”
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Offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill will do his best to give support to McGlinchey while also fending off the likes of defensive tackles Fletcher Cox and Ndamukong Suh. The 49ers guard spoke to NBC Sports Bay Area about how Reddick jumps off the film.
“He does some things you never really see from others,” Brunskill said. “He’s a fun rusher to watch because he has such great speed and athleticism. Some of the ways he gets around corners is amazing.
“He does everything he can to get to the quarterback. On top of that, if he drops back, there could be pressure coming from the other way. Or his ability to be able to drop in the pass scheme and still be able to cover [as more of a coverage guy]. Seeing some of the moves he does as a pass rusher. He’s a great player. He plays fast and hard, and he will be a challenge.”
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The Eagles' defense has stifled opposing offenses, racking up 70 total quarterback sacks. In comparison, the 49ers have recorded 44. The defenses have similar statistics in their quarterback pressures with the Eagles recording 364 through the season and the 49ers standing at a count of 366 according to PFF.
With so many similarities to consider in their game plan, the 49ers will be looking to set themselves apart with a win Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.