The 49ers have a chance to get back to .500, but will have to overcome one of their oldest rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. With both teams starting the season below expectations, this game is a chance for the 49ers to get going. What do the Niners need to do to become contenders and not pretenders?

This is the matchup for the 49ers. As we’ve seen this season, the 49ers’ redzone has been poor. So far they are in 26th place in Expected Points Added (EPA) and are therefore in the red. This is bad. But the good news is that the Cowboys’ defense is worse in the red zone. The Cowboys defense has posted the worst red zone EPA in the NFL. Additionally, teams that get into the red zone against Dallas score a touchdown 70% of the time. It feels like the Niners should be able to score at will in the red zone, but with the way they played, nothing is guaranteed. What is guaranteed is that allowing points in the red zone every time will make it difficult for teams to win, which should be the Niners’ goal.

Nick Bosa has been one of the best edge rushers in the league this year. Bosa had 39 pressures at left and right tackle this season. No matter who is facing him, he gets around them and puts some pressure on the quarterback. Now Bosa has the privilege of going against some tackles who can’t hold him back. Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele will be the starters for Dallas, and both have PFF pass block ratings below 50. This should be a celebration for Bosa, who has a chance to get a few free sacks in his stats. Even if the Cowboys try to double-team Bosa, it will result in Maliek Collins and Leonard Floyd getting some 1-on-1 duels that they can win. The Cowboys OLine needs to be sharp if they want to stop the 49ers DLine.

I feel like Dr. Strange. Of all the possibilities, there seems to be only one realistic way the Cowboys could win this game. When things get emotional. If the 49ers are so cocky and wear their “F Dallas” jerseys, the Cowboys have a chance. They’ll hit harder, smack more and possibly unsettle the Niners with their attitude. The Niners can’t let this happen to them. They have to keep it simple, it’s a football game they want to win. I don’t want someone to hit Trent Williams in the face and he throws a punch. I don’t want the Niners to push the Cowboys players and start a fight. This will only give the Cowboys momentum. The Niners need to start the game with a good drive to apply pressure, and once the pressure is built, the Cowboys should fall apart. They don’t have the talent to stop this 49ers team, so don’t give them hope that they can win.

I’m tired of seeing this team take a late lead. So far this season, the 49ers have blown two fourth-quarter leads. These came against the Cardinals and Rams. This can’t happen again. If this team blows another fourth-quarter lead this week, it seems like it will solidify change throughout the team. Maybe Shanahan gets fired at the end of the year, maybe they decide to become salespeople. Whatever happens, it won’t be good. As much as this should depend on the players’ performance in the game, it will depend on Kyle Shanahan. He’s proven himself time and time again to be a terrible late-game coach, so don’t give yourself a chance to mess up again. Get a big lead early and put the game well out of reach. I’m talking about three points that are out of reach. Not a 10-point lead, we were shown that that wasn’t enough. I need to see a 13 point lead over fourth place to be confident.

Hello you! Yes, you! You should follow me on X @conors_corner