Place battleground (protection): Cowboys vs 49ers head-to-head breakdown

Previously we broke down the offense for this week’s upcoming sport for the Dallas Cowboys. Now we dive again into the place battleground, this time how the defensive positions and particular groups stack up in opposition to one another.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The Cowboys discover themselves grappling with a essential vulnerability —the line of defense. Initially considered a possible hassle spot in preseason, it has since morphed right into a obvious legal responsibility, notably with current accidents testing the roster’s depth. Maybe probably the most regarding absence is that of Micah Parsons, the dynamic game-changer whose explosive presence has been sorely missed. With Parsons sidelined, the line of defense now faces an uphill battle in opposition to one of many NFL’s premier offensive traces.

Identified for his or her formidable run-blocking capabilities, the San Francisco 49ers boast a unit that excels at creating lanes and mauling opposing entrance sevens. The looming matchup solely provides to the issues concerning the basis of the Cowboys’ protection, which might discover itself overwhelmed within the trenches.

The Dallas line of defense is struggling underneath the load of staggering statistics, permitting an alarming sixth-most dashing yards per sport. Paired with the nightmarish determine of a 47% first-down proportion allowed on the bottom, one can virtually hear the gulp of tension echoing all through Cowboys Nation. Jerry Jones revealed to reporters Parsons’ standing is shrouded in uncertainty, with whispers of “day-to-day” being talked about, so control his follow standing this week.

Of all of the place teams on each offense and protection this one is the furthest aside when it comes to high quality between these two groups. On the forefront of this dialogue stands Nick Bosa. His imposing presence on the sector cranks up the depth for an already formidable 49ers protection, which prides itself on suffocating offenses and snuffing out their momentum. Statistically, the 49ers are making their mark by permitting the tenth-fewest first downs per sport—a powerful feat that underscores their containment skills. Equally, they’re exhibiting exceptional prowess in opposition to the run, allowing the ninth-lowest dashing yards per try.

So how does Nick Bosa match into all this? Aside from possessing a chilling potential to repeatedly disrupt performs earlier than they even develop, he has tallied six tackles for loss this season, rating him sixth amongst all defensive gamers. Furthermore, his 25 complete tackles place him sixth amongst all defensive ends, an achievement reflective of his relentless pursuit of the ball.

Leonard Floyd ranks second on the staff with three sacks. His relentless pursuit and tenacity have made him a vital asset on the sector. However the story doesn’t finish with Floyd. In a coincidence, he shares the highlight with an previous buddy, Maliek Collins, who additionally boasts three sacks this season.
Win: 49ers

LINEBACKER

Eric Kendricks could possibly be again this week. There will likely be some dangerous blood between Kendricks and the 49ers after he agreed phrases within the offseason solely to heel flip on the final second and be a part of Dallas. Control his follow designation by the week. Damone Clark had one in every of his higher outings in opposition to the Lions and hopefully we get to see extra his manufacturing this week. Marist Liufau continues to indicate he’s a strong protection linebacker, however his lack of expertise exhibits in opposition to the run. DeMarvion Overshown is now second on the staff in tackles with 41.

Fred Warner is exhibiting no indicators of slowing down and is likely one of the greatest linebackers within the league. His 58 complete tackles is ninth-most within the league and he’s even registered a sack this yr. He’s a bodily presence within the field and his instincts for the place are each subsequent stage. De’Vondre Campbell has the second-most tackles among the many linebackers. The veteran linebacker got here from Inexperienced Bay final yr to assist help Warner and thus far he’s completed a very good job.

Conclusion:
Kendricks is absolutely necessary to have again this week to assist direct the protection to cease the run. He’s important for what the Cowboys might want to do to cease this working assault from the 49ers. The difficulty for this linebacker unit is the dearth of assist it will get from the line of defense, one thing the 49ers counterparts can say they do have.
Win: 49ers

DEFENSIVE BACKS

There’s an opportunity Parsons comes again this week, an opportunity Kendricks comes again, but additionally Cowboys followers could possibly be in luck and see DaRon Bland again and at last get to see this secondary with each Trevon Diggs and Bland enjoying collectively. The 49ers vast receiver corps is totally decimated at this level they usually could possibly be a rookie vast receiver, who was a sufferer of a taking pictures incident within the offseason, to play as a beginning vast receiver. Maintain an in depth watch on not simply the 49ers vast receivers follow designations this week, but additionally George Kittle as he offers with a foot harm that might depart him sidelined.

The 49ers are permitting 205 passing yards per sport, which is ten yards lower than Dallas, and has allowed one much less passing landing. The place this secondary is profitable although is with interceptions the place they rank fourth with a complete of eight interceptions. Charvarius Ward is the staff’s major cornerback and he missed time in Week 6. He’s allowed a 53% completion charge and a passer score of 90.2 thus far this season. Isaac Yiadom was on the alternative facet however just lately the staff have been placing rookie Renardo Inexperienced in over Yiadom and in opposition to the Chiefs the snap distinction between the 2 was large, with Inexperienced enjoying over 40 snaps and Yiadom solely 5. When CeeDee Lamb will get to the slot he’ll face Deommodore Lenoir who allowed a passer score of simply 47.9 in opposition to him final yr.

Conclusion:
You must take not simply the standard of backs each groups have, but additionally the competitors each side face. Dallas’ secondary has a method simpler group of go catchers to defend than San Francisco, and that goes alongside method right here.
Win: Cowboys

SPECIAL TEAMS

Brandon Aubrey, yep he’s the person alright. He scored the one factors for the staff in opposition to the Lions and it’s clear this “Aubrey Coast” offense is in full swing. The staff is extraordinarily fortunate to have his skills and he at present ranks twelfth amongst kickers with a 90% subject aim accuracy. He’s second within the league with most subject targets made, and subject targets made for makes an attempt of fifty yards or extra, Aubrey is true up there in second place.

San Francisco did have Jake Moody as their place kicker however he received’t go well with up this week in opposition to Dallas after sustaining an ankle harm. They’ve Anders Carlson to take over kicking duties and he made two subject targets from two makes an attempt final week.

KaVontae Turpin is third within the league in common punt return yards and he now has two different gamers that be a part of him in punt returns for a landing. In opposition to the Lions he had an excellent 79-yard kickoff return, hopefully we get some extra of his electrifying performs.

Jacob Cowing does nearly all of punt return work for San Francisco and he averages six yards per return.
Win: Cowboys