Entering the season, Week 8 was a circled matchup for the Dallas Cowboys. A headed rivalry and a source of frustration renewed between two of the NFC's best franchises. However, due to injuries and early season setbacks, the Cowboys (3-3) and San Francisco 49ers (3-4) are playing out of desperation instead of pride.
When the two collide in Santa Clara this week, it'll be the lowest combined winning percentage between the two franchises since 2020, which happens to be the last time Dallas defeated San Francisco.
Here are 10 more notable 'big facts' to remember ahead of Sunday's 7:20 CT kickoff on NBC.
Here are 10 notable 'big facts' to remember ahead of Sunday's 7:20 CT kickoff on NBC.
Too Many Turnovers
Last time out, the Cowboys were forced into five turnovers by the Lions defense, the most turnovers by any team in the NFL this season. Additionally, it's the highest turnover total for the Cowboys offense since Week 8 of 2012. This included the team's fourth and fifth redzone turnovers this season, the most in the league at the completion of their Week 6 matchup.
Top Five in Primetime?
The Cowboys have trailed by 15 points or more at halftime in each of their last four home games. Tied for the longest streak in NFL history, including playoffs, with the 2013-14 Raiders. Dallas has allowed 167 points over their last four home games, third-most in a span of four home games.
26 September 2024: Rico Dowdle (23)
Rushing to Conclusions
This season, marks only the third time that the Cowboys have been held under 500 yards rushing through their first six games (463). The other two occasions were 1989 (354) and 1990 (471) when the team was 0-6 and 2-4 through those games and neither made the playoffs.
Century Mark Coming Soon?
The Cowboys are one of four teams in the NFL, and the only team in the NFC, that have yet to have either a 100-yard rusher or receiver this year. Rico Dowdle had 87 yards against the Steelers and CeeDee Lamb had 98 against the Giants.
Reeling in the Redzone
The Cowboys are one of three teams (Jacksonville, Washington) who have allowed a point every time the opponents have entered the red zone. Teams have gone inside the 20 against Dallas 19 times this year, scoring all 19 times, including 14 touchdowns.
Seeing Red in San Francisco (Not Done)
The 49ers offense has reached the red zone 31 times this season, the 2nd-most red zone drives in the NFL behind only Washington (32). For comparison, the Cowboys have made just 16 trips to the redzone this season and have scored only six touchdowns in those trips.
Dominant in Regular Season
Despite their struggles in the postseason against San Francisco, the Cowboys have won six of their last eight regular season meetings with the 49ers. The 2-6 mark for the 49ers against the Cowboys is their worst against any NFC opponent since 2005.
Gold, Silver, and Bronze on Offense
Since the beginning of the 2019 season, the San Francisco 49ers have the third-highest points per game mark in the NFL with 380.3 yards per contest. The only two teams ahead of them are the Kansas City Chiefs (388.4), who have won three Super Bowl titles over that same span, and the Dallas Cowboys (383.6).
Purdy Common Opponent
If Brock Purdy lines up against the Cowboys, it will be this third straight start against Dallas including the playoffs. The last 49ers QB to start three straight times vs. Cowboys is Jeff Garcia (2000, 2001, 2002). Between Garcia and Purdy, the 49ers started eight different quarterbacks – Tim Rattay, Shaun Hill, Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert, C.J. Beathard, Nick Mullens, Jimmy Garoppolo.
Dak in Rare Company Again
Dak Prescott eclipsed the 31,000 passing yard mark for his career in Week 6. With 31,061 career passing yards and 210 career touchdown passes, he joins Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, and Dan Marino as the only quarterbacks to reach that mark with over 210 touchdowns and in less than 120 career games.
