(Editor's Note: Who doesn't love lists? Throughout the year, 'High 5' will provide a top five list for many of the critical topics surrounding the Dallas Cowboys 2024 season.)
It's rare to see these two organizations down. The Dallas Cowboys (3-3), still in the thick of the NFC East race, trying to stay above .500 despite key injuries and some below-par performance so far. Same can be said for the San Francisco 49ers (3-4). Who enter the weekend below .500 and struggling with some of the same concerns as Dallas.
Despite all this, it just means a little bit more when these two get together. Dallas and San Francisco have such high standards set by the fans around them, that it radiates through the rivalry and to each of the players that take the field. No matter the situation.
Because of this, there will be some big matchups between some interesting parties. Each team needs some of their stars to step up, alongside some of their reserves. But let's look at the five matchups that will carry the most weight between a win and loss on Sunday.
5) CeeDee Lamb vs. Deommodore Lenoir - The criticism around CeeDee Lamb's performance this season has centered around his lack of efficiency. Where his numbers have taken a steep drop in multiple areas like catch percentage, yards per target, and more. This week, he should see Deommodore Lenoir more than any other cornerback in the San Francisco secondary. A player who has struggled at times throughout his career with allowing the big play but has not done so as much this season. Lamb's efficiency is down, Lenoirs is up. Should be an interesting battle.
4) Demarvion Overshown vs. George Kittle - Even if Eric Kendricks is available for the Cowboys linebacker room, Demarvion Overshown will be tabbed with doing multiple things for this defense. Sometimes, that'll be blitzing off the second level and aiding in run support by running downhill. On other occasions, he'll be asked to drop into coverage and help blanket on of the best tight ends in the game. Kittle made Dallas pay in the redzone with three touchdown grabs last season. Overshown will be a big part of not letting that happen again.
3) Jourdan Lewis vs. Ricky Pearsall - Like the Lamb and Lenoir matchup, Jourdan Lewis and Ricky Pearsall will become very familiar with each other this Sunday. Pearsall will carry the load for this passing game that could be without three or four of their top targets because of injury. He has worked his way back, in miraculous fashion, from a gunshot wound suffered earlier in the season from a robbery attempt and will be needed to show his first-round skillset in a big way this weekend.
2) Jake Ferguson vs. Fred Warner - This season, the Dallas Cowboys have not seen a touchdown catch from any of their tight ends, including Jake Ferguson, who was expected to carry a significant role in the offense this season. It'll be a tough task for him to get involved this week against Fred Warner, who has made the middle of the field a "no fly" zone for years. Since drafting Warner in 2018, the 49ers have allowed 11 fewer receptions (98) on passes over the intermediate middle of the field (10-19 air yards) than any other defense. That's where Ferguson's presence will be needed most.
1) Terence Steele vs. Nick Bosa - No surprise here. These two have seen each other before and it hasn't necessarily been successful for Dallas. Last season, Terence Steele tallied the lowest pass blocking grade of his career with an 8.4 against Nick Bosa and San Francisco, according to Pro Football Focus. In that game, he allowed a sack, eight pressures and won only 85 percent of his reps. With the offensive line trying to find their stride after the Bye Week, the Cowboys need Steele to stand strong against Bosa and company to have some success.
