49ers vs. Cowboys: 3 players who take over NFL playoff game

No. 1: 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk

Third-year wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk finally had his breakout season in 2022.

After a good rookie season, he had a slow start to his sophomore campaign. But he came out swinging in 2022 and finished the season with his first 1,000-plus yard season.

Aiyuk finished the season with 78 receptions, 1,015 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He finally looks like one of the top receivers in the league.

In his first game this postseason against Seattle, however, he had a quiet performance with three receptions for 73 yards receiving. He had some big catches though in crucial moments, but was overshadowed by the offensive explosions of Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel.

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Aiyuk will be a difference-maker in Sunday’s showdown with Dallas. After two somewhat pedestrian games in his last two outings, he’s due for a big one.

Look for him to have a stat line somewhere in the ballpark of seven receptions, 105 yards and one touchdown. Expect Aiyuk’s score to come at a crucial time, and expect him to pick up some key third-down conversions throughout the game.