Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers: Players who should do well and others who don't

The Cowboys' Week 8 matchup with the 49ers will certainly be a challenge. San Francisco has had Dallas' number in recent years, winning its last three games and generally dominating on both sides of the ball. While Frisco is currently 3-4 and struggling, the same goes for the Cowboys. But even if a win seems unlikely, could some Dallas players still put together solid individual performances?

BUY

WR Jalen Tolbert
TE Jake Ferguson

The 49ers have effectively shut down opponents' number one receivers but are vulnerable to secondary options. Against the Seahawks in Week 6, Tyler Lockett, Noah Fant and Jaxon Smith-Njigba combined for 181 receiving yards on 15 receptions. The week before against Arizona, it was Michael Wilson and Trey McBride who led the passing attack with 11 catches for 131 yards.

After the bye week, Ferguson should look as explosive as we've seen him since his knee injury in the season opener. If the Niners are able to shut down CeeDee Lamb like they have done with other top receivers, it should create opportunities for the next players on the roster. The pressure will be on Dak Prescott to work through his progressions and make precise, decisive throws to capitalize on them.

RB Rico Dowdle

Yes, Dalvin Cook is there tonight, but his touches will likely come from Ezekiel Elliott. Dowdle is still RB1 until we see otherwise, and the primary backs had good days against the 49ers. The Chiefs' Kareem Hunt had 78 yards and two touchdowns but 22 carries last week. A few weeks ago, the Cardinals' James Conner had 86 yards on 19 carries.

The key for Dallas, something they haven't been good at all season, is that production is based on volume. Whether Dowdle or Cook, the ball contacts must be consistent and sufficient so that the defenders find a rhythm and wear down the opposing defense. All it takes is a single play for a decent day to turn into a great day for a defender's numbers, and Dallas needs to remember what worked against the Steelers in Week 5 when they leaned more heavily on Dowdle than ever before this season.

SELL

WR CeeDee Lamb

Of course, given what we said above about the receiving options, Lamb will likely have to suffer in order for other guys to succeed. Like DK Metcalf and Marvin Harrison Jr. in recent weeks, who combined for just five catches for 84 yards on 18 targets, Dallas' WR1 faces a tough game. Even when Justin Jefferson rushed for 133 yards and a touchdown against the Niners in Week 2, he needed a massive 97-yard play to achieve anything more than a pedestrian performance.

Granted, Lamb is capable of this big game. But for an offense that struggles with consistency, trying to force the ball his way will not end well. The Cowboys need to take that cliched approach and take what the defense gives them, and San Francisco will make sure the production doesn't come from the most predictable source.

Cowboys take over the defense

No Christian McCaffrey; No problem for the rushing attack of these 49ers. Even without the All-Pro return so far this season and the injury-related loss of versatile forward Deebo Samuel, San Francisco still has one of the best rushing offenses in the NFL with 149.9 yards per game. Jordan Mason did the heavy lifting, while freshman Isaac Guerendo made good contributions at points. They've been able to consistently excel against all opponents, and that's bad news for the Cowboys' defense, which hasn't been able to provide much resistance.