The Dallas Cowboys play the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night in a primetime rematch. The last two times Dallas played San Francisco, things did not go so well. Any Cowboys fan will tell you how bad each loss hurt, as both teams had rosters capable of a deep playoff run. Dallas is back to form even without their top cornerback Trevon Diggs. It’s going to be tough sledding, but it’s in the cards for Mike McCarthy’s team. Here are some ways the Dallas Cowboys can be sure to exact revenge on the 49ers on Sunday’s heavyweight rematch.
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Cowboys 49ers Rematch; Dallas’ Top Keys to Slowing a Gold Rush
Shut Down Christian McCaffrey
“Shut down” and “Christian McCaffery” are like orange juice and toothpaste, they don’t tend to go in the same sentence together. McCaffrey is on an absolute tear at the moment, scoring touchdowns in the last 13 straight games, a San Francisco record. Even the most bitter rivals have to respect the pace that McCaffrey is on. It’s still possible to respect a legend while also doing whatever it takes to stop them.
Dallas’ run defense has had its fair share of ebbs and flows. The team shut down Saquon Barkley but allowed James Conner to run all over them. In a showing of hope, Ezekiel Elliot and Rhamondre Stevenson found very little footing against the Cowboys. In order to win next Sunday, Dallas must not slump back down against the run game. Players like Jonathan Hankins, Mazi Smith, and Leighton Vander-Esch are going to need laser focus against the run.
Without Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers and Cowboys are on a very similar level. His megastar status is well deserved, and he has remained healthy in San Francisco. It won’t be easy to tackle him, but it is possible to do so. The New York Giants gave him the toughest time, and Dallas’ run defense tops theirs. If the stars align and Dan Quinn comes out swinging, the Cowboys 49ers rematch might not feature a CMC score.
Kavontae Turpin & Michael Gallup Must Get Involved Early
Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup’s comeback story is starting to look like it was worth the wait. After suffering an ACL tear in 2021, Gallup remained quiet through 2022, only recording 39 catches for 424 yards. Thankfully, the man Dallas chose over Amari Cooper is starting to get hot again. His emergence in the passing game has given the offense another dimension they dearly missed. Gallup’s catches against New England showed poise and patience, two things the Cowboys need to topple the 49ers.
The Michael Gallup of old!pic.twitter.com/dEH7QaRYTR
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) September 24, 2023
Don’t for a second forget about Kavontae Turpin, though. While his role is increasing from game to game, the Cowboys are teasing him. The right time to let Turpin cook on nearly every offensive snap is now. Turpin nearly ran away for a touchdown against New England on a 47-yard dash. His field vision is improving, and NFL defenses seem to keep forgetting about him. San Francisco is equally fast on defense, meaning Turpin has his work cut out for him. Don’t put it past the Cowboys to lean very very heavily on Turpin against the 49ers. His ability to flip the field was on display in the NFC Divisional Round, and Sunday is a prime chance for him to do it again.
Dallas’ two most underrated receivers have both been performing quite well recently. If Mike McCarthy finds more than one way to get them the football, the 49ers’ gold rush defense might be sore in the Cowboys rematch.
Special Teams, Special Sauce
In today’s league, the NFL requires special teams units to be like backup dancers (just hear me out). If one thing goes wrong, it’s wraps on the whole show. If it all goes right, they’ll end up stealing the show. Dallas’ special teams play stole the show in Week 1 against the New York Giants, with one blocked field goal and a touchdown. In order to defeat the San Francisco 49ers during Sunday’s rematch, the Cowboys have to win on offense, defense, and special teams.
The answer is at the back of the book, John Fassell! There needs to be a similar special teams performance as the Cowboys put on in Week 1 in order to win. The 49ers currently have Ray-Ray McCloud, Ronnie Bell, and Brandon Aiyuk at the punt/kick return position. Dallas can’t afford to let them break one run loose. Cowboys punter Brian Anger will be tasked with putting the ball either on the one-yard line or far enough for a touchback, with no in-between. Juanyeh Thomas and Noah Igbinoghene are Dallas’ top two special teams studs. Both of which are going to be the two primary beneficiaries of stopping the returners. Kicker Brandon Aubrey must bring his A-game as well.
If the Cowboys can keep these things in the front of their playbook, there is a very real chance. Dallas must get their hands on Christian McCaffrey, get the ball to their playmakers, and stop special teams from gaining an inch. It’s up to the playmakers on both sides of the ball to bring home the bacon and defeat Dallas’ most unshakable enemy.
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Main Photo: Kevin Jairaj – USA Today Sports
