Brett's Cowboys Corner

San Francisco sits at 3-4, a place they did not expect to be in, especially coming off a Super Bowl appearance. The 49ers are the most beatable they have been compared to the past few matchups with Dallas. With their bye week coming up, the 49ers are looking for a get-right game.

For Dallas, this may be the biggest game of the year. This has been the demon that has haunted them for the past three years, San Fran has kept them from advancing in the playoffs and has been impossible to beat. I think the biggest piece of this game is keeping close, Dallas can not have the bye week they had and perform like they did against Detroit. If Dallas gets blown out again, I really think the season is over, morale is shot. Where could you find the hope to win? The Cowboys need this for themselves, to get over the hump and finally beat the 49ers.

Dallas had a busy bye week, with a lot of football and some non-football stories going down. Coach McCarthy may be on the hot seat, if he wasn’t already, after taking much criticism from ownership, players, and well…a former quarterback. We are told adjustments to practice and schematics have been made, and no better place to show them off than Sunday Night Football.

• Rumor has it that Dalvin Cook will make his season debut, he could win himself a job bringing a needed rushing attack to Dallas.
• Coming off his injury, back at left tackle goes rookie Tyler Guyton, he will see two good edge rushers and needs to give Dak time.
• Safety play has been down, Malik Hooker will have a big role in helping cover the middle. San Francisco has struggled to get a middle attack going, but Dallas over 6 games has given big plays down the middle.

• Kittle is always a headache for Dallas, There might need to be a linebacker, like Overshown ghosting him all night. Can’t allow 3 catches for 3 TDs again.
• Lenoir has had some efficient games this year, but he will have his hands full with Lamb most of the night, CD is in need of a big game and has success over the middle. A place San Francisco struggles to defend.
• Nick Bosa will get a lot of attention as he his a game wrecker. Floyd will be on the other side, a free agent addition this year, but also has the abilities to make a game get very ugly.

1 – Show Off Needed Adjustments.

After spending time reflecting on the rocky start to the season. Your owner called your coach out for having ‘bad routes.’ There needs to be some changes. The Cowboys need to incorporate their new motions and creative play calls that we think they have been working on. Similar to last season, after the bye week, the Cowboys offense got rolling. This is the time to create a new identity for yourself.

I will say the big part of this key, do not play scared. You can not afford to play conservative. You can not turn around and hand it off and run it up the middle every time. There is no longer any cushion to save your good stuff to the playoffs, you need to pull out all the stops this week. When you script your first 15 plays of the game, they need to be the best plays.

2 – Don’t Let Them Be Comfortable.

If you let San Francisco get comfortable running the ball to Jordan Mason, they may do it all night. You will be looking at 125 yards and 2 TDs. Stop the run early, and make them throw the ball. Purdy has turned into a pumpkin when he’s asked to win the game with his arm, 3 interceptions last week against the Chiefs.

San Francisco being comfortable, means they are still a physical and dominating team. Don’t let them have their rhythm with the motions and running behind Kyle Juszczyk. Watch out for the delay fades for Kittle. Make Shanahan and the offense overthink what they need to do to win.

3 – You Got To Take Care Of The Football.

These turnovers need to be left in the first half of the season. Two ugly interceptions against the Lions and Steelers. Sack fumbles…it all has to stop. Take care of the football, the 49ers are not a good redzone defense, DON’T let them be good this week.

A big part of taking care of the football is being able to run the ball, good quality runs. Possibly with a new running back this week. The real reason you have bad interceptions is that Dak is playing behind and has to throw 40 times to get you back in the game. You need to be able to run the ball, especially in the redzone. Cowboys average 0.8 yards per carry in the redzone…disgusting.

4 – Win On Special Teams.

The most interesting part of my 49ers study this week, their special teams unit is going through the wringer. They have given up huge returns on kick and punts. They usually opt in for the touchback, but if it’s short then it’s a 25+ yard return. They have muffed punts and fumbled kickoffs. Not to mention they are on their 3rd kicker of the year.

Maybe this week Special Teams Coordinator Bones Fossil can get into his bag of tricks, the 9ers have allowed 3 fake punts, but also some creative returns on the kickoff with a little hook and ladder concept…the possibilities are endless.

The two weapons on special teams for Dallas need to show out Sunday. Kavontae Turpin creating positive yardage and maybe find the endzone. Kicker Brandon Aubrey, fresh off jury duty, needs to make some kickoffs tough to return with the line drive kick he has utilized.