Position battleground (offense): Cowboys vs 49ers head-to-head breakdown

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Which offense do you trust more this Sunday? The Cowboys or 49ers?

The San Francisco 49ers have had a tough season and now sit third in the NFC West with a 3-4 record. They are hoping this weekend’s game will help them right the season as they face the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. The Cowboys are coming off a bye and hope to also move out of third place in the NFC East. This is a huge crossroads for both teams this week, so let’s take a look at each position on offense and find out which team has the advantage.

QUARTERBACK

Dak Prescott
vs.
Brock Purdy

Dak Prescott could have made this projection a bit easier if he hadn’t faltered so much against Detroit. It’s hard not to feel for him; the mounting pressure from a leaky offensive line has really hindered his efficiency. A quarterback’s rhythm relies heavily on trust, trust that the pocket will hold up and that ball security will be maintained. However, every time he drops back, there’s that pang of uncertainty as defenders bear down. With the San Francisco 49ers defensive line — historically a fearsome unit — this leads to some further anxiety this week. But this iteration of the 49ers defensive line might not have teeth as sharp as one’s memories might suggest. A slight change in personnel, coupled with some early-season growing pains, hints that they are not the brick wall they once were.

This season, the 49ers’ defense has been a mixed bag —steady but not yet hitting all the high notes. Roughly nestled in the mid-table for both sacks and pressures, they’ve managed to keep opposing quarterbacks on their toes while maintaining a glaring statistic: a 78.7 passer rating allowed, which is the fifth-lowest in the league. But perhaps what makes them most daunting is their knack for creating turnovers. With a total of eight interceptions this season, the 49ers find themselves positioned fourth overall, an ominous sign for Dak Prescott, who’s grappling with his own inconsistency as he has tossed out the third-most interceptions of the year.

If Dak wants to wipe the slate clean after his last game, Brock Purdy is in desperate need of a time machine. His performance against the Kansas City Chiefs last week was nothing short of a nightmare; 212 yards to show for it, but the glaring zero touchdowns and a staggering three interceptions felt more like a personal vendetta from the football gods. Purdy’s passer rating of 36.7 last week made this one of his worst games in his short career. This wasn’t just a rough outing; it was significant—a haunting déjà vu, as it’s the second time this season that the young quarterback has finished a game without finding the end zone this season. Questions swirl around his decision-making under pressure, and ability to take on the game when his offense needs him.

Conclusion:
There are two sides to look at this for both quarterbacks who underperformed recently. Dak leads Purdy in passing yards per game, he’s also thrown less interceptions and has been sacked more times due to a failing offensive line. But Purdy gets the easier matchup in terms of the defense that both signal callers face. Tough choices, but let’s use both players full playing history to break the tie for now.
Win: Cowboys

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

RUNNING BACK

Rico Dowdle/Ezekiel Elliott
vs.
Jordan Mason/Isaac Guerendo

Last week’s game against the Detroit Lions ignited much debate. One question that lingered was unmistakable: how did Ezekiel Elliott end up with more touches than Rico Dowdle? Dowdle has showcased a better ability to run with the ball and last week there was a clear difference between the two backs. With a commendable five yards per carry, Dowdle showed patience and vision that left fans positive. Meanwhile, Zeke’s performance, weighing in at a meager 2.1 yards per carry, conveyed that he was battling uphill. This week, the Cowboys tandem will gear up to take on the challenge as they face off against the San Francisco 49ers defense. The 49ers, however, are allowing an average of 112 rushing yards per game, so there’s a golden opportunity for our duo to create havoc on the ground. What adds to the intrigue is the 49ers’ inability to halt their opponents from finding the end zone; they have so far conceded nine rushing touchdowns this season, ranking them third in that category.

If the Cowboys’ backs are feeling the buzz of excitement coursing through their veins, you can bet that the 49ers’ offensive playmakers are practically salivating at the thought of the impending matchup. With the Cowboys currently yielding the second-most rushing touchdowns and ranking sixth in rushing yards allowed per game, it’s become clear: they’re an inviting target for this 49ers scheme designed to exploit weaknesses on the ground. The 49ers boast a dynamic rushing offense that sits proudly at seventh place in the league. Having compiled seven rushing touchdowns this season, they possess a robust momentum that plays perfectly into their hands.

Currently ranking third in fumbles this season, the 49ers brim with opportunity for opportunistic defenses ready to capitalize. Brock Purdy, despite his impressive skills under center, has shown a surprising susceptibility to fumbling the ball, allowing defenders to evaluate their shot at turning the tide. But Purdy isn’t alone; leading the charge in the backfield, running back Mason has already coughed up the football twice this season. The crux of the impending showdown hinges on curbing San Francisco’s relentless rushing attack. Their distinct ground game isn’t just a means of advancing the ball; it’s the lifeblood of their offense, dictating plays and setting the rhythm. Should the 49ers find their stride early, it’s a daunting prospect for Dallas.

Conclusion:
The Cowboys’ defense looked to be on the mend during the Pittsburgh game, only to crush every fans hopes during the Lions game. The Cowboys run defense is by far the most concerning element of this matchup when so much is predicted on the run for the 49ers offense. Keep a watch on Christian McCaffery on the injury report this week as he edges closer to return.
Win: 49ers

Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images

WIDE RECEIVERS

CeeDee Lamb/Jalen Tolbert/KaVontae Turpin
vs.
Deebo Samuel/Ricky Pearsall (injuries make this unit an unknown)

The bye week came like a breath of fresh air for this Cowboys offense, a crucial pause meant to rekindle the spark that dimmed during their last outing against the Lions. It’s a prime opportunity to regroup and refine their strategy as they march forward. CeeDee Lamb remains a force to be reckoned with, ranking among the top ten wide receivers in the league for receiving yards. More impressively, he’s creeping just outside that top ten in yards after catch (YAC), a testament to his explosive playmaking ability. Jalen Tolbert has upped his game this season and is ready to showcase his skills and electrify the offense for another week.

Presently, the 49ers rank solidly in the middle when it comes to passing yards allowed per game and passing touchdowns, showcasing a resolute front but still flagged by potential vulnerabilities. One of the most significant pressure points remains the defensive backfield, an area often considered a chink in San Francisco’s armor. This opens the door wide for talented receivers like CeeDee Lamb. With his unique blend of speed and footwork, Lamb could very well exploit the soft underbelly of the 49ers’ defense. That being said, Lamb’s performance last season against the 49ers saw him notch just four catches for 49 yards.

The list of problems at the wide receiver for the 49ers has only got worse this week. Brandon Aiyuk is headed to injured reserve with an ACL tear, Juan Jennings has a hip injury and his status is up in the air. Deebo Samuel has pneumonia and his availability for this week is also unknown. That means rookie receiver, Ricky Pearsall could be the lead wideout and he’s made three receptions so far this year. Rounding off the receiver corps is Ronnie Bell and Jacob Cowing that have combined for four receptions.

Conclusion:
It’s a game of numbers and the 49ers are looking desperate for them. With their top three receivers out, and Dallas only missing Cooks, this one is set to be an easy win for the Cowboys wide receivers.
Win: Cowboys

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

TIGHT END

Jake Ferguson
vs.
George Kittle

Jake Ferguson ranks sixth among tight ends in receptions but he still has yet to find the endzone. His 25 receptions are second-most for Dallas and his 240 receiving yards is third-most.

There’s no denying George Kittle is a talent and he’s out producing Ferguson in most receiving metrics, most definitely in touchdowns where Kittle has scored five times which leads all tight ends this season. But there’s a possibility Kittle doesn’t play this week after he sprained his foot against the Chiefs. Given the wide receiver issues, if Kittle is missing then this makes for a huge loss for San Francisco.

Conclusion:
Ferguson does win in one category over Kittle and that’s YAC yards where Ferguson ranks sixth. Other than that Kittle wins this head-to-head hands down — if he plays.
Win: 49ers (if Kittle can play)

Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Cowboys offensive line is a sore point for this offense at the moment. News coming out of Dallas is that Tyler Guyton will resume his left tackle role this week. Zack Martin, once a stalwart of the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line, faced his demons head-on in a forgettable outing against the Detroit Lions. This wasn’t just a bad game; it felt like a game of shadows, where Martin struggled to find his usual rhythm, his performances blurring into something unrecognizable. But the struggles didn’t stop there.

Next to Martin is Terence Steele, whose steady ascent to prominence seems like a distant memory. Watching him now, it’s hard to reconcile the formidable right tackle he was two seasons ago with the uncertain presence taking the field today. Every snap raises questions; why has Steele’s once-celebrated run-blocking prowess diminished? Now, they face an uphill battle against a fierce duo: Nick Bosa and Leonard Floyd. Bosa, an unstoppable force known for his relentless pursuit, poses the kind of threat that rattles even the most confident linemen. Meanwhile, Floyd, coming off a season where he clocked double-digit sacks, has fully embraced the role of game-wrecker. Together, they create a haywire symphony of chaos aimed at breaking through Dallas’s front.

Trent Williams has had a turbulent season so far with San Francisco. He held out in preseason and then rejoined the team recently. That was followed by an ejection from the game last week after throwing a punch. Williams is a quality left tackle, but the underlying narrative of him having a dirty streak in his game is warranted. The 49ers offensive line has allowed 13 sacks this year which puts them ever so slightly above the middle of the pack. But where this line makes its money is in the run blocking. Not just the system, but the player quality when it comes to run blocking is maybe the best in the league. All five guys are blocking in the run game much better than Dallas, and that’s concerning when you consider how diminished the Cowboys defensive line is.
Win: 49ers