The Week 5 result in San Francisco has left the Dallas Cowboys, it's fans, and even the team's analysts more deflated than any other game I can remember.
When you suffer a thorough domination in a 32 point loss, there aren't many positive angles to take.
Dallas couldn't even say they left the game unscathed from a health standpoint.
Key contributors WR KaVontae Turpin, LB Leighton Vander Esch, S Donovan Wilson, and special teams ace C.J. Goodwin all were unable to finish the game with injury.
The worst news of the four is Goodwin being placed on Injured Reserve with a torn pectoral muscle.
Vander Esch is expected to miss four to six weeks with an undisclosed neck injury, and has been placed on Injured Reserve-Designated to Return.
Turpin suffered a high ankle sprain at the end of a kickoff return, but it's been reported he may not miss time at all.
Wilson's injury prognosis and timeline is as clear as mud, as the team has yet to release any information.
Last week's key matchups were not exploited in any way, shape, or form by the Dallas Cowboys, as the 49ers had a counter punch to anything they tried.
This week brings another matchup with “personal” ties, and hopefully the Cowboys can do a better job of hanging in with the Chargers than they did with the 49ers.
Let's get into it.
Dan Quinn vs Kellen Moore
Cowboys' DC Dan Quinn's revenge tour starts now.
Quinn and his defense were outmaneuvered by Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers' offense at every turn last week.
Players were running wide open with Cowboys' players gesturing to each other trying to figure out whose responsibility the open receiver was.
Quinn will face another familiar challenge this week in Kellen Moore.
At the conclusion of the 2022 season, the Cowboys and Moore parted ways, and the young play caller quickly found a home with the Los Angeles Chargers.
It was a lateral move for Moore, but it was also a fresh start after seemingly wearing out his welcome in Dallas.
Not much has changed for Moore and his offense.
The Chargers rank 4th and 7th in the NFL with 388.8 yards per game and 27.5 points per game, respectively.
Those ranks were accomplished without star RB Austin Ekeler in the lineup for the past three games.
Moore and his play calling need to be respected, and the battle between he and Quinn will determine the pace of the game.
Linebackers vs Austin Ekeler
I use the term “linebackers” very loosely.
With Vander Esch out for at least the next four weeks, the only linebacker on the roster that was listed in Week 1 is second year player Damone Clark.
Dallas is expected to sign former 1st round pick Rashaan Evans, but he will need a ramp up period before he can be effective.
Malik Jefferson should be called up from the practice squad again, along with Micah Parsons likely playing a little more off-ball linebacker.
Another reason I use the term linebacker loosely is because Quinn uses his safeties as linebackers as well.
Jayron Kearse, Markquese Bell, and Juanyeh Thomas (assuming Wilson can't play) will get plenty of reps in a linebacker role.
Whichever players will be out there, they need to make sure to know where Ekeler is on every play.
They will also have to be sharp in reading the play correctly at the snap to make sure Ekeler can't get to the edge, where he does the most damage.
Ekeler also has the skillset of a wide receiver, catching 107 passes last season, and four receptions in the one game he has played under Moore.
Terence Steele vs Khalil Mack
One week after drawing reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa, Cowboys' RT Terence Steele now has to deal with another former DPOY, Khalil Mack.
The storyline would have been juicier had Nick Bosa's brother Joey Bosa was healthy, but it appears the Chargers aren't confident he will be ready to play nursing a hamstring injury.
Mack is coming off of the best game of his career, a six sack performance against the Raiders after recording five total sacks in his previous 19 games.
He terrorized the Raiders' rookie QB Aidan O'Connell for an additional four QB hits and two forced fumbles.
I believe Steele is better than either of the tackles starting for Las Vegas, and I also expect him to bounce back and keep Mack in check.
Brandon Aubrey vs Cameron Dicker
In what I believe to be a high-scoring, but close game, the performance of the kickers could decide the outcome.
Luckily for Dallas, they seem to have found a gem in former USFL star Brandon Aubrey.
After missing his first kick of the season, an extra point in the opener at the Giants, Aubrey has knocked his next 24 kicks through the uprights.
These kicks include two successful attempts from 50+ yards.
As for Cameron Dicker, the second year kicker has made six of seven field goal attempts this season.
His lone miss is from 50+, and he has been successful from that range in his only other attempt.
The last time these two teams played, it came down to a field goal with under a minute left.
If it comes to that again, my confidence meter in Aubrey is higher than it would be for Dicker.
