The Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers did not expect to be in their current positions. Both teams enjoyed similar success in the regular season a year ago. They each won 12 games, went 5-1 against division opponents, and won their respective division crowns. This year, Dallas and San Francisco have faced early struggles and will need a strong finish to get back into playoff contention.
Dallas currently sits in third in the NFC East with a 3-3 record. They’re behind the 4-3 Eagles and the 5-2 Commanders. Being just a half-game back from Philadelphia isn’t too surprising. Though, the Eagles have faced some early adversity, as well. The Commanders are more shocking given that they’re led by a rookie QB. Washington’s sudden rise has thrown a wrench in a division that was expected to be a two-team race between Dallas and Philadelphia. The Cowboys have lost four straight at home (including last year’s playoff game versus the Packers) after going 16-1 in Dallas over ’22 and ’23.
As a result of the Rams’ victory over the Vikings on Thursday, the 49ers are now in last place in the NFC West. Seattle leads the way at 4-3, and the other three teams (Rams, Cardinals, and 49ers) all have the same record at 3-4. However, San Francisco has already dropped games to LA and Arizona. The 49ers held double-digit leads in both contests but squandered late leads. The Rams went on a 20-3 run over the final 20 minutes of their Week 3 matchup. In Week 5, the 49ers were held scoreless after halftime as the Cardinals rallied to a victory.
Injuries have played a big role in the slow stats for Dallas and San Francisco. The Cowboys’ defense has been hampered all year. Last season’s breakout star DaRon Bland has yet to make his ’24 debut. Micah Parsons has been out since Week 4. The defensive line is already extremely thin with DeMarcus Lawrence, Jordan Phillips, Marshawn Kneel, and Sam Williams all on IR. Brandin Cooks, the team’s No. 2 wideout, just recently returned to practice after missing the last three games.
For the 49ers, it’s been their offense that has been decimated. Brandon Aiyuk was lost for the season last week after suffering a torn ACL. Star RB Christian McCaffrey has been out all year, though the team is hopeful he could make his season debut in their Week 10 matchup versus the Bucs.
In addition to Aiyuk and McCaffrey both being out for this one, the 49ers’ four top remaining offensive weapons all enter Week 8 with injury designations. WR Deebo Samuel (wrist/illness), TE George Kittle (foot), RB Jordan Mason (shoulder), and WR Jauan Jennings (hip) are all questionable to play.
It’ll be a battle of attrition when these two teams meet on Sunday night. Neither team is healthy or playing their best ball. However, a loss could be detrimental to either team’s playoff hopes — especially with how stacked the NFC North looks to be.
A loss coming off their Bye Week would be crushing for the Cowboys. They would drop to 3-4 with a daunting schedule upcoming. After the 49ers matchup, Dallas’ next four games are against two teams currently leading their division (at ATL, vs. HOU) and the two teams currently above them in the NFC East (vs. PHI, at WSH).
On the other side, the 49ers dropping to 3-5 could completely derail their season. After their Week 9 Bye, the 49ers have five consecutive matchups against teams currently above .500 (at TB, vs. SEA, at GB, at BUF, vs. CHI) leading up to a Thursday night matchup with the Rams followed by a road matchup with a Dolphins team that should be far more formidable with Tua Tagovailoa at the helm. They end the year against the Lions — arguably the best team in the NFC — and their finale is versus the Cardinals in Arizona.
The 49ers have owned this matchup recently having won three straight over the Cowboys including the 2023 postseason matchup. 49ers QB Brock Purdy dominated the Cowboys last year to the tune of 252 yards and 4 TDs en route to a 42-10 victory. Dak Prescott tossed 3 INTs in that game and has not beaten San Francisco since 2017. It will be an intriguing matchup as both teams are desperate for a win. Ultimately, we believe the 49ers pull this one out in a nail-biter. But, we wouldn’t be surprised if Prescott and top target Ceedee Lamb carry Dallas to a victory.
