NFL
By: Greg Rector
I wrote in my season preview that the Dallas Cowboys would defeat the San Francisco 49ers with a Brandon Aubrey field goal in overtime. Did I know how injury-riddled both teams would be? Certainly, no one had both teams being as injury-riddled. Here’s how I see the game going down. With injuries like this, both teams are right back to where they were in the 2020 NFL season. Currently, the Niners are one pick ahead of the Dallas Cowboys in the 2025 NFL Draft with the Niners selecting 14th and the Dallas Cowboys selecting 15th. It’s a shock to both teams fanbases.
Dallas Cowboys Offense Versus San Francisco Defense
Quarterback Dak Prescott and head coach Mike McCarthy with the bye week need another reset as they did last season. McCarthy especially needed to reorganize the game plan. No more of the same routes run by his receivers. As Troy Aikman said recently the route running by the receivers has been ridiculous. It’s been terrible and as professional receivers, the lack of separation has been abysmal.
The lack of a running game is again a huge factor. No help arrived during the bye week of course. That’s not a situation that Mike McCarthy can solve. However, his insistence on running up the A gap has to be switched up. The offensive line needs to switch up from the inside zone running game. Fred Warner the outstanding linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers can go back into coverage all game long and cause disruptions to the Dallas Cowboys passing game.
Since the Dallas Cowboys offense is under such criticism I just pray that like last season the changes made during the bye week actually work.
Dallas Cowboys Defense Versus San Francisco Offense
No idea if Micah Parsons or Daron Bland will play on Sunday Night. I do know one thing though, Trevon Diggs you need to tackle opponents. As I wrote about after the Detroit Lions game if you don;\’t tackle anyone I would trade you out of the team in a heartbeat before the November 5th ttrade deadline.
Of course the San Francisco 49ers are injured big time especially with their wide receivers. Brandon Aiyuk is out for the season and Deebo Samuel just left the hospital for pneumonia while Jennings has an injured hip. Ricky Pearsall the rookie draft pick came back after being shot earlier in the year.
So Brock Purdy will need to be on his best game dealing with his receivers. George Kittle is now the main receiver and if Malik Hooker and Donvan Wilson both suddenly reappear the damage that Kittle can do should be minimized. Jordan Mason has filled in admirably for Christian McCaffrey who won’t be playing until after week ten.
My Prediction
I am sticking with my earlier prediction. The Dallas Cowboys will defeat the San Francisco 49ers with Brandon Aubrey kicking at least 4 field goals thanks to the lack of the red zone success courtesy of Mike McCarthy and his lack of success. So I have a final score of 26-17. The Dallas Cowboys get the victory but again it’s no longer a game in which the big time stars are playing so don’t expect any roses being thrown out by Stephen A Smith or the rest of the sports media world Cowboys Nation. Just feel good that the Dallas Cowboys defeat the Niners in their home stadium.
As always you can find me on X @GregCowboys
