Kyle Shanahan started scouting Packers halfway through their blowout win vs. Cowboys

After Darnell Savage picked off a pass from Dak Prescott and returned it for a touchdown, Green Bay Packers fans across the world wondered when they would wake up from this incredible dream.

What were we watching?

The Packers were underdogs -- heavy underdogs -- in their wild-card trip to AT&T Stadium. The red-hot Dallas Cowboys had won their past 16 home games by a combined score of 566-285. But Green Bay led 27-0, and it wasn't even halftime.

While Packers fans were left in disbelief, still worried about how their team could throw away such a convincing lead in the second half, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan had seen enough.

49ers head coach knew the Packers had beaten Cowboys before halftime

Shanahan, whose No. 1-seeded 49ers enjoyed a first-round bye, got a head start on preparations. He began game-planning for the Packers before their wild-card game versus the Cowboys had even reached halftime.

"We started really focusing on them halfway through the second quarter," said Shanahan.

The Packers were so dominant that they gave their next opponent an additional couple of hours to prepare for them. It's hard to believe how one-sided Green Bay's win over Dallas was.

It's a bad look for Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys. Less than two quarters in, and the 49ers' head coach had already started planning to face the Packers in next week's divisional round.

And it should be a fascinating battle. The Niners are heavy favorites. They are the No. 1 seed for a reason and enter this game fresh off a bye week. Meanwhile, the Packers will play only six days after their wild-card win. But Shanahan is impressed with Jordan Love.

"He's come a long way. He's playing at such a high level," said Shanahan. "He's been consistent. For him to take care of the ball the way he's done is unbelievable. Twenty-one touchdowns and one pick over the last 10 games is unbelievable."

The Packers have won four straight, all of which were must-have games. Love passed each test during this run, and he'll need another MVP-level performance to help Green Bay pull off arguably the upset of the playoffs.

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