Dallas Cowboys seek to stay undefeated on the road, taking on a depleted San Francisco 49ers lineup.
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys are set for a critical Week 8 matchup as they head to Santa Clara to face the San Francisco 49ers.
This clash comes on the heels of the Cowboys’ recent 47-9 defeat to the Detroit Lions before their bye week, sparking calls for improvement from both players and management.
While Dallas aims to turn their season around, history isn’t on their side—the 49ers have claimed victory in three consecutive matchups since 2020, currently leading the all-time series record 20-19-1.
Off-field drama has added to the Cowboys' challenges, with team owner Jerry Jones vocalizing frustrations over play-calling and former players reportedly criticizing the franchise’s extensive fan engagement events. Star linebacker Micah Parsons and quarterback Dak Prescott shrugged off the noise, while receiver CeeDee Lamb admitted, “sometimes” the distractions can be a factor.
Heading into the 2023-2024 season's Wild Card Round, the Dallas Cowboys held a 16-0 record at home. The game began a now-0-4 home game drought, but the Cowboys have been 3-0 on the road since. That seems like this might be a surprise to some fans, but … it represents some hope here.
The Cowboys are hoping to stay undefeated on the road this season against an injury-ridden 49ers team, but they present their own challenges as well.
As the Cowboys look to bolster their defensive lineup, both DaRon Bland and Micah Parsons have been listed as Did Not Practice in practice this week, leaving their status uncertain. However, substitutes like cornerback Caelen Carson and linebacker Marist Liafau are trending toward a return, which could help stabilize the Dallas defense.
San Francisco, meanwhile, enters the game without running back Christian McCaffrey and wideout Brandon Aiyuk, while Deebo Samuel and George Kittle remain questionable.
Both teams face uphill battles with incomplete rosters, but the Cowboys’ road performance and the 49ers' home strength set the stage for a high-stakes showdown. Dallas knows a win here could redefine their season narrative, offering a chance to overcome recent struggles and solidify their place in the NFC standings.
