(Editor’s note: Who doesn’t love lists? All year long, High 5 provides a top-five list for many of the critical topics surrounding the Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 season.)

It is rare for these two organizations to fail. The Dallas Cowboys (3-3), still in the thick of the NFC East race, are trying to stay above .500 despite serious injuries and subpar performances so far. The same goes for the San Francisco 49ers (3-4). Who start the weekend under .500 and have to deal with the same worries as Dallas.

Despite all that, it just means a little more when these two come together. Dallas and San Francisco have such high standards for the fans around them that it spills over into the rivalry and every player who takes the field. No matter what the situation.

Because of this, there will be some big duels between some interesting parties. Every team needs to strengthen some of its stars in addition to some of its reserves. But let’s take a look at the five matches that will make the biggest difference between victory and defeat on Sunday.

5) CeeDee Lamb vs Deommodore Lenoir – Criticism of CeeDee Lamb’s performance this season has focused on his lack of efficiency. Where his numbers have plummeted in several areas such as catch percentage, yards per target and more. This week, he should see Deommodore Lenoir more than any other cornerback in San Francisco’s secondary. A player who has struggled to make big plays at times throughout his career, but hasn’t done as much this season. Lamb’s efficiency is down, Lenoir’s is up. Should be an interesting fight.

4) Demarvion Overshown vs. George Kittle – Even though Eric Kendricks is available for the Cowboys’ linebacker room, Demarvion Overshown will be credited with doing several things for this defense. Sometimes it’s about sprinting out of the second level and providing running support while running downhill. On other occasions, he is asked to drop into coverage and help cover the best tight ends in the game. Kittle made Dallas pay with three touchdown grabs in the redzone last season. Overshowed will go a long way to ensuring something like this doesn’t happen again.

3) Jourdan Lewis vs Ricky Pearsall – As with the duel between Lamb and Lenoir, Jourdan Lewis and Ricky Pearsall will become very familiar with each other this Sunday. Pearsall will carry the burden of this passing game, which could be without three or four of his top targets due to injury. He has miraculously recovered from a gunshot wound sustained during a robbery earlier in the season and will be needed this weekend to prove his mettle in the first round.

2) Jake Ferguson vs Fred Warner – This season, the Dallas Cowboys have not had a touchdown catch from any of their tight ends, including Jake Ferguson, who was expected to play a major role in the offense this season. It will be a difficult task for him to face Fred Warner this week, who has made the midfield a no-fly zone for years. Since signing Warner in 2018, the 49ers have allowed 11 fewer fakes (98) on passes over center field (10-19 yards) than any other defense. This is where Ferguson’s presence is needed most.

1) Terence Steele vs Nick Bosa – No surprise here. The two have seen each other before and it wasn’t necessarily successful for Dallas. Last season, Terence Steele posted the lowest pass blocking grade of his career, 8.4, against Nick Bosa and San Francisco, according to Pro Football Focus. In that game, he allowed one sack, eight pressures and won just 85 percent of his reps. As the offense looks to get back on track after the bye week, the Cowboys need Steele to stay strong against Bosa and Co. in order to find success.