FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys are coming off a win, but Sunday’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers will be a different kind of challenge.
Dallas escaped Indianapolis with a 27-23 victory last week, getting a big performance from Dak Prescott and the passing game. Now the Cowboys return home to face a San Francisco team that has been one of the better teams in the NFC this season.
The 49ers have won seven of their first eight games, and they have plenty of ways to make life difficult for a defense. Brock Purdy has been productive through the air, while Christian McCaffrey continues to give opposing defenses problems as both a runner and receiver.
That’s an area Dallas needs to address.
The Cowboys have had difficulty stopping the run this season. Giving McCaffrey room to work could put the defense in a difficult position, particularly if San Francisco gets its running game going early. Dallas will need better tackling and more consistency up front.
Offensively, Prescott has given the Cowboys a chance to compete. He threw for 335 yards and two touchdowns against Indianapolis, with CeeDee Lamb accounting for 195 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Lamb has become an important part of the offense, and Dallas will need him involved again. Javonte Williams also gives the Cowboys a legitimate option on the ground, something that could help keep San Francisco’s defense from focusing entirely on Prescott and the passing game.
The question is whether Dallas can put together a complete performance.
The Cowboys have shown they can score points, but their defensive struggles have made it difficult to put games away. Against a San Francisco offense with this much firepower, mistakes and missed assignments could be costly.
There is also some history between these teams. San Francisco has had Dallas’ number in recent meetings, including the postseason. The Cowboys would certainly like to change that, especially with the game being played in Arlington.
A victory would give Dallas back-to-back wins and provide some momentum heading into the second half of the season. But beating the 49ers will require more than another productive afternoon from Prescott.
Dallas needs its defense to show up, and it needs to play four quarters of football.
That’s been the biggest question surrounding this team all season.
