DALLAS — The relaxation and time away for the Dallas Cowboys is over.
After concluding their bye week, they are now preparing to open the second half of their 2024 slate better than the first half.
After all, it was at this time last year when the Cowboys came out of their bye week and hit the ground running on their way to another 12-win season and an NFC East title. This version of Mike McCarthy’s team doesn’t have as much leeway at 3-3, and they didn’t look as good on defense, but the hope is there for these Cowboys to turn it on for the final 11 weeks.
That task doesn’t get off to an easy start, however. Dallas next goes on the road to play their nemesis from the last few years, the San Francisco 49ers. It’s a rivalry game where there’s no love lost, and both teams have struggled this season. The 49ers are 3-4, good for just third place in an NFC West division that they’ve been dominating for the last five years.
Both teams need a win to get back on the right track, but it’s been a year where nothing has come easily to either franchise. It’ll be interesting to see which team gets a grip on the reins on Sunday Night Football.
Here are the strengths and weaknesses of the 49ers as they host the Cowboys in Week 8:
Strength: Ground game
This isn’t a surprise, the 49ers have one of the best running games in the league and have since offensive-minded head coach Kyle Shanahan arrived. Even with their second-string running back, their offense is seventh in the NFL in rushing yards, averaging just under 150 yards per game on the ground.
Jordan Mason took over at RB for the injured Christian McCaffrey before the season started and he’s currently second in the league in rushing and runs for 5.2 yards per carry. That’s bad news for a Cowboys defense that’s had problems stopping the run.
However, Dallas’ defense has fared much better at halting the run on the road than at home. In road contests, the defense is allowing 70.3 rushing yards per game, which would be good for second-best in the league if they could be that consistent at home, where they’re giving up 216 yards per contest on the ground.
The Cowboys need to find a way to limit the damage that the 49ers do with their rushing attack.
Weakness: The walking wounded
It isn’t one of the major reasons for why they haven’t been good this season, but the injuries have piled up on the 49ers recently. Last week, the offense lost both of their starting wide receivers during the game and they were also without their third-best WR due to injury. Coupled with missing their All-Pro RB in McCaffrey, and it’s been easier for defenses to slow down an efficient offense.
WR Brandon Aiyuk was lost for the season with an ACL injury suffered in Week 7, so he won’t be available, but Jauan Jennings is expected to play. Fellow star WR Deebo Samuel is the wild card in the equation, he’s listed as questionable because of pneumonia.
On defense, the 49ers are much healthier but will be without starting safety Talanoa Hufanga, who is out with a wrist injury.
Strength: Defense stars
Another one of the strengths that’s been on display for a handful of seasons for the 49ers has been their defense. The unit isn’t playing as well as they did last year, but they still have the stars on the defensive side of the ball to stifle the Cowboys’ offense.
Pass rusher Joey Bosa is among the top pressure players in the league and he’s tied for the team lead in sacks with 3.5 on the year. Right behind Bosa is former first-round pick Leonard Floyd, who has three QB takedowns on the season.
Perhaps the NFL’s best linebacker resides in San Francisco in Fred Warner. A three-time All-Pro, Warner is playing at a high level again in 2024, leading the defense in tackles, while also adding a sack and two interceptions.
Warner has thrived playing against the Cowboys over the last two matchups, intercepting a pass in both games, as well as adding a sack, and forcing a fumble that the 49ers recovered. That’s three turnovers forced and a sack from Warner in two San Francisco wins.
The Cowboys’ offensive line remains a weak spot and that will be something that the 49ers will try to exploit in the Week 8 meeting.
Weakness: Special teams
The 49ers’ biggest weakness this season has been their special teams, which have contributed to their struggles. They rank in the bottom five in the NFL kickoff and punt return yards, while already giving up a kickoff return for a touchdown.
Punter Mitch Wishnowsky is averaging just over 46 yards per kick and has a career-worst 35.6 net yards, while the 49ers are also a team on their third field goal kicker due to injury.
This is one of the worst special teams units in the league and the Cowboys should be able to take advantage. Return man KaVontae Turpin leads the league in yards per return at 43 yards, is second in punt return average at 19 yards, and has a return for a score.
Kicker Brandon Aubrey is as good a kicker as there is in the NFL, which should give the Cowboys an edge in the kicking game.
Strength: Kyle Shanahan
He may not be the best big game coach, but Shanahan’s had the Cowboys’ – particularly McCarthy’s –number. Shanahan’s teams have eliminated Dallas from the playoffs in two of the last three years and embarrassed them in the last meeting.
Much of those losses have been pinned on the defense, which hasn’t played well, but McCarthy’s offense has also only scored an average of 13 points per game in those three meetings.
The 49ers have bullied and out-schemed the Cowboys at every turn over the last three meetings, something that needs to change. If Dallas wants to get their season heading in the right direction, they’ll need to beat a coach that has caused them fits recently.
Do you think the Cowboys will get over the hump against the 49ers in Week 8? Share your thoughts with Ben on X (formerly Twitter) @BenGrimaldi.
