The Dallas Cowboys have had a week to reflect and retool after a 3-3 start, looking to apply those lessons against the San Francisco 49ers.
FRISCO — Since the NFL schedule release in spring, the Dallas Cowboys' Week 8 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers has been circled on the calendars. Regardless of the offseason proceedings or where the Cowboys would stand, this game was going to carry a little extra weight.
In recent years, especially last season, the Niners have become a litmus test of sorts for the Cowboys during the Mike McCarthy era. Scratching his first season when the team lost Dak Prescott for the season, Dallas has fallen short in each matchup in his season.
The Cowboys are 0-3 in each attempt with the two most recent losses coming at Levi's Stadium. Sunday, they return to the Bay Area hoping to get one back on their rival.
Unlike their most recent matchups, the Cowboys will enter this matchup after a week's rest. Despite Dallas' rollercoaster 3-3 start, they have now had two weeks to reset and prepare for the Niners, who seemingly have the number of "America's Team."
But more than their opponent, McCarthy posited that the focus has centered on his team specifically.
"Probably the best game for us to watch is last year's game, I think there's a lot of carryover from the game," McCarthy said Wednesday. "But I think just like anything... it's always healthy to have extra time to spend on yourself."
So, a look in a perfectly clear mirror?
For reasons outside their control, that "extra time" could work in the Cowboys' favor. The Niners have lost two of their last three with both defeats coming at home. They will be without key pieces including Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk.
Certainly Dallas has its own injury concerns with Micah Parsons glaring atop that list, but this game will come down to what the Cowboys have learned and adjusted during their week off.
If the plan rests in continuing what they have put on tape through the first six weeks, this game could go similar to a year ago when the Niners bludgeoned them 42-10. McCarthy and his team need to show actual progress to get out of this game, but to move forward as well.
Regardless of the ills of each team's start to the season, this remains the NFC standard for the Cowboys to match. Coming into this game with an upper hand, McCarthy must have his team ready to go.
