1. **Injury Concerns**
Both teams head into this Sunday night matchup with many players sidelined.
The Cowboys were optimistic about the return of standout defender Micah Parsons (ankle) and cornerback Duron Bland (foot), but neither participated in practice on Wednesday or Thursday, casting doubt on their availability.
The 49ers will be missing several key players, including receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who suffered a torn ACL and MCL against the Chiefs last week, ending his season. Running back Christian McCaffrey (achilles) and receiver Jauan Jennings (hip) are also not expected to play. Receiver Deebo Samuel was hospitalized with pneumonia earlier in the week. He may attempt to play, but the 49ers won’t have the same formidable squad that has previously outperformed the Cowboys.
2. **Navigating External Pressures**
There’s been an unusual amount of off-field distractions for the Cowboys, from the owner hinting at firing radio show hosts and criticizing his head coach for poor strategies, to a former Cowboy publicly criticizing the receiving corps. The most pressing issue is how head coach Mike McCarthy handles Jerry Jones’ critiques of him and the team’s offensive performance. McCarthy brushed off Jones’ comments when questioned but had to directly counter his remarks due to Jones’ public discontent. I’ll be observing McCarthy’s play-calling to validate his approach.
3. **Lamb vs. Aikman**
Troy Aikman, the Hall of Fame quarterback for the Cowboys, critiques the game as part of his role in Monday Night Football. His statement about Cowboys receivers running inefficient routes carries weight, and Jerry Jones acknowledged it. Although McCarthy disagreed with Aikman’s choice of words, receiver CeeDee Lamb, who was specifically mentioned, responded curtly, saying, “got to be better overall,” and declined further comment when asked about it.
4. **Defensive Challenge Against the Run**
This season has emphasized the need for defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to find ways to contain the 49ers’ rushing offense. Given the offensive injuries, expect coach Kyle Shanahan to utilize running back Jordan Mason, who is second in the league with 667 rushing yards. If Shanahan can get Mason involved, it will lead to open receiving options in the play-action game, rendering the specific receivers less critical.
Zimmer acknowledged he panicked early on against the Lions, leading to a humiliating defeat for the Cowboys. In the NFL, such incidents usually serve as major motivators. Therefore, I’ll closely monitor the defense’s intensity. If they show another lackluster performance, it could signal deeper issues ahead.
5. **Critical Weeks Ahead**
The upcoming five weeks will significantly impact Mike McCarthy’s future with the Cowboys, as he is only a few disappointing losses away from jeopardizing the season.
However, there is a positive note for fans: McCarthy has been quite successful following bye weeks, with a record of 12-5 overall, including three wins in four attempts with the Cowboys. Maintaining this trend is crucial if they hope to regain momentum and salvage the season.