The bye week felt like an eternity for the Cowboys, thanks in large part to the dour way they ended things against the Lions the last time they took the field. Now, after taking some time to rest and fine-tune their approach, the Cowboys travel to San Francisco to take on their bitter rivals. Can they beat a 49ers team that is also struggling at 3-4? Our writers have some thoughts.

When San Francisco has the ball

Eye discipline, eye discipline, eye discipline

The 49ers’ offense, led by Kyle Shanahan, is built on a confusing defense. The running game and passing game are perfectly connected, and Shanahan creates havoc for opposing defenders with plenty of movement across them. Only two teams currently move more often than the 49ers.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, have fought fiercely against the move. When opposing offenses use movement, Dallas gives up seven yards per play and allows 0.22 EPA/play, both of which are the worst in the league by a wide margin. To have a chance against this offense despite having so many injured players, Dallas will have to play with perfect eye discipline and avoid getting eaten up by all the moves and misdirections.

When Dallas has the ball

Attack the edges

The 49ers have taken a significant step backwards on defense this year, and their run defense has been the biggest problem. They were particularly vulnerable to runs off the tackle, where San Francisco gave up the second-most yards per rush in the league. They also have the second-worst run-stuff rate on outside runs, trailing only — you guessed it — the Dallas Cowboys.

However, for some reason, teams don’t pass the ball against San Francisco. The Cowboys don’t do much running outside the tackles anyway, even though Rico Dowdle ranks second among all running backs in success rate on runs outside the tackles. However, it is likely that Dalvin Cook will make his Cowboys debut in this game, and Cook has historically been a better outside hitter in his career. All signs point to Dallas deviating from their usual game plan and attacking the edges, but will they?

Now for your BTB authors’ predictions…

Tom Ryle (3-3):

I wish I could pick the Cowboys, but there are troubling signs that the wheels are coming off. Jerry Jones keeps making very unhelpful comments and I don’t have a good feeling about the mood in the locker room. Most importantly, I just don’t see the performance on the field.

I think Mike McCarthy and Co. will be overtaken and Dallas will lose 24-16.

Matt Holleran (2-4):

If there was ever a time for the Cowboys to finally defeat the San Francisco 49ers dragon, it would be this Sunday. San Fran comes into this game with a record of 3-4 and has injuries across all lines. The 49ers are as vulnerable as ever, and this would be the perfect time for the Cowboys to finally get rid of the monkey and beat the team that has caused them so much trouble over the years.

Unfortunately, I don’t understand how anyone can trust that this will happen. Despite all their injuries, the 49ers only have the Cowboys’ number. Somehow, Fred Warner and the San Francisco defense will pull off several impressive takeaways and Brock Purdy will find wide-open receivers like he did last fall. The 49ers are Dallas’ kryptonite, and that won’t change on Sunday.

Give me the 49ers, 27-17.

Jess Haynie (4-2):

The Cowboys technically have a better record than the 49ers, but the Niners had more impressive wins and more respectable losses. They are the better team in many ways, not to mention the way they have dominated Dallas in recent years. Both are dealing with injuries, but the Cowboys’ weakness in run defense will allow San Francisco to mitigate some of their injuries.

49ers 27, Cowboys 20.

Brandon Loree (3-3)

Under Mike McCarthy’s 10-year head coach, the Cowboys have historically emerged from the bye week well. In games following their bye week on the road, McCarthy’s record in Dallas is two and one. However, they will have to climb a mountain-sized hill to beat the 49ers for the first time since 2020. Dalvin Cook’s presence may be enough to boost the game, but it won’t be enough to carry Dallas to victory.

San Francisco prevails here with 25:17.

Mike Poland (3-3):

The Cowboys have allowed three passing touchdowns on the road this season, the fourth fewest in the league this year. As for the 49ers’ offense, they have scored two passing touchdowns at home this season, the second fewest. Additionally, the team may be limited due to injuries, which makes a big difference in their attack.

The Cowboys win 24-20 this week. Let’s get the season going again.

Dana Bartholomew (4-2):

Both teams are extremely banged up, so it’s a bit difficult to judge this game based on the historical performances of both. I was hoping the Cowboys would have an advantage in healing a lot of injuries during the bye week, but as it stands now, that wasn’t the case. Parsons and Bland are both excluded. Carson and Kendricks are both still questionable. Since there are still so many key players on defense, I have to give the edge to the 49ers in San Francisco.

49ers win, 30-20.

Brian Martin (3-3):

With both teams currently dealing with a variety of injuries to key starters, predicting this Week 8 game between the Cowboys and 49ers is unusual. Dallas just finished their bye week, which could give them a slight advantage with the extra preparation time. On the other hand, San Francisco was able to easily prevail against the Cowboys in the last few encounters.

I hope I’m wrong, but I’m rooting for my hometown team to win SF 17-13 in a close game.

RJ Ochoa (5-1):

Even If The Cowboys haven’t looked like a total disaster up to this point in the season, there’s just nothing that has happened in recent history that would suggest that putting them against this team specifically would be a good idea. Until the Cowboys prove they can beat the 49ers in every way possible, I won’t hesitate to put San Francisco against them. When you factor in all the funk of this season and the chaos off the field, it becomes that much easier.

Give me the Niners in terms of 33-23.

David Howman (3-3):

There are, surprisingly, a number of factors that point to a Cowboys victory on Sunday night. Mike McCarthy is usually ready to play with his team when he leaves the field. The 49ers are the worst they’ve been in years, even with all the injuries they’re dealing with right now, and Dallas only seems capable of winning on the road this year.

However, I’m just not ready to believe it yet. While it would be top Cowboys who would finally beat the 49ers but feel completely empty due to the circumstances, it would also be top Cowboys who would get an extra break against a depleted 49ers squad and still get beaten up by them. Unfortunately, I think that is the more likely outcome.

49ers win, 38-20.