The Dallas Cowboys are fresh off of their bye week and preparing to travel to Santa Clara for a big NFC matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
This rivalry is not what it used to be. San Francisco has dominated the recent matchups. Before the 42-10 beat down last year on Sunday Night Football, the 49ers eliminated the Cowboys from the playoffs in consecutive seasons.
The first occasion was a home Wildcard playoff game in which the Cowboys were heavily favored to win. Dallas finished the regular season as the third seed in the conference, and drew the worst matchup for them possible.
They were no match for the 49ers’ physicality, and were ousted from the playoffs earlier than anyone anticipated.
The following season was not much different. Again, the Cowboys could not match the 49ers’ physicality, and the offense scored just 12 points in the Divisional round loss in Santa Clara.
Dallas once again will visit Santa Clara, albeit under different circumstances this time. Neither team, perhaps due to the various injuries for both clubs, have met expectations this season. The Cowboys have a 3-3 record, with three terrible blowout losses at home.
The 49ers have a 3-4 record with puzzling losses to their division rivals that they usually dominate.
Despite all of the injuries to the 49ers team, the Cowboys will need bold performances from their players to see if they can finally get the monkey off their back.
If you got that Steve Young reference, you’re cool in my book. Please remember that these are bold predictions, and are meant to seem far-fetched, but still in the realm of possibility.
Have bold predictions of your own? Feel free to drop them in the comments, and let’s discuss.
Dak Prescott Won’t Turn the Ball Over
You might not see this as a bold prediction, but it’s bold because over the past three matchups versus San Francisco, QB Dak Prescott has thrown six interceptions.
The 49ers definitely are an obstacle thus far in his career, but if there was ever a chance for him to get over that hump, it’s this season while San Francisco is dealing with so many injuries. It will still be a challenge with players like LB Fred Warner, edges Nick Bosa and Leonard Floyd, and CB Charvarius Ward still lining up on defense.
San Francisco has been able to give Prescott that deer in the headlights look that we all hate seeing. They mask their coverages so well that every snap is a chess match to move the football.
So far this season, Prescott has turned the ball over 7 times. He’s thrown six interceptions and lost one fumble. Coming off of the bye week, I expect the Cowboys’ offense to be a little more in order.
An extra week to prepare should be enough for Prescott and the offense to come out firing on all cylinders, and Prescott will take extra care of the football.
San Francisco Won’t Reach 100 Yards Rushing
This is a bold prediction because, despite their slew of injuries on the offensive side of the ball, the 49ers have eclipsed 100 yards rushing in every game this season. Kyle Shanahan has once again accomplished the impossible: another undrafted free agent running back is near the top of the league in rushing yards.
Jordan Mason (667 yards) trails only Baltimore’s Derrick Henry for the NFL lead in rushing. Even in the 49ers’ least effective offensive performance (a loss at the Chiefs), they still managed to rush for 101 yards.
Shanahan’s run scheme is nearly fool proof, and it has been a problem for the Cowboys to stop. However, the 49ers are decimated at the skill positions. They will be without wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and possibly Deebo Samuel. Running backs Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell are injured. George Kittle is dealing with a foot sprain, and is questionable for the game.
Cowboys’ DC Mike Zimmer would be wise to sell out to stop the run. Put eight men in the box and force QB Brock Purdy to beat you with his arm and reserve skill players. This plan should work, and the 49ers will be held below 100 yards rushing for the first time this season.
Cowboys’ Defense Forces 3 Turnovers
If I were writing this article last season, this would not be a bold prediction. Under former DC Dan Quinn, the Cowboys’ defense was one of the top units in the NFL forcing turnovers.
Hindsight tells us that we were very spoiled because, just as Zimmer told us upon his arrival, his defense isn’t predicated on forcing turnovers, and he warned us to expect regression.
Boy, he sure knew what he was talking about. Dallas only has five takeaways so far, a snail’s pace compared to previous seasons. I expect Zimmer to come out with an aggressive approach to put pressure on Purdy.
A blitzing Donovan Wilson will force a sack fumble on Purdy for one turnover, and the other two will come by way of interception.