The San Francisco 49ers will be on the road against the Dallas Cowboys for a Week 10 matchup Nov. 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The Niners enter the contest with the best record in the NFC at 7-1, while the Cowboys, who are struggling to find a consistent groove, are second in the NFC East at 4-5. The 49ers are coming off a 38-17 win against the Las Vegas Raiders behind five turnovers forced by their defense.
San Francisco will gets its first look at veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen in a 49ers uniform following his acquisition in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts just before the NFL trade deadline. Allen helps the Niners' receiving corps that has seen injuries to Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, Ricky Pearsall and De'Zhaun Stribling.
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Cowboys are hoping to get back to .500 and find some sort of rhythm in what's been a disappointing season so far. Dallas is coming off a 27-23 victory against the Colts led by quarterback Dak Prescott, who completed 21-of-34 passes for 335 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Javonte Williams ran for 101 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. Receiver CeeDee Lamb caught 10 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown.
Niners-Cowboys remains one of the most entertaining rivalries in the NFL. They've had 42 regular-season meetings, with San Francisco holding a 22-19-1 all-time edge.
Here's five things to watch for in 49ers vs. Cowboys on Sunday:
49ers secondary vs. Cowboys receivers
The 49ers secondary will have their hands full going up against Lamb and George Pickens.
Health could be a big factor. Both Deommodore Lenoir (foot) and Renardo Green (back) were injured against the Raiders, but 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris said they would be game time decisions.
"We'll see. Obviously, the injury report is the injury report, whatever that says," Morris said. "We'll see those guys, if they can get out there, if they can make it, they'll go. They're tough guys. They're very physical. They're very competitive, so we'll give them the best chance and take it all the way to game day to find out if they can go out there and play for us."
Regardless, the matchup with Pickens, Lamb and the Dallas receivers brings excitement to Morris.
"Obviously, CeeDee (Lamb), when you start with him you're talking about a guy that's highly targeted, a bunch of receptions. He's a volume player. He gets the ball a lot," Morris said. "They put the ball in his hand. He's like all those guys, those (Seattle Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba) JSNs, those (Los Angeles Rams WR Puka) Nacuas and all the guys in our division, where they target him a lot and he's heavily targeted."
"Then you’ve got that freak on the other side, Pickens, sometimes on the same side," he added. "He's got freak-like ability. He's a great mover. He's very versatile, can do a bunch of different things. He can shock you in all types of ways down the field, vertical or with catch and run. They're a very, very difficult crew. Very excited about the matchup."
Can 49ers defensive line bring the pressure?
San Francisco has prioritized the defensive line, making sure it's beefed up and deep with able bodies. The Niners brought back former 49ers star DeForest Buckner in a trade with the Colts, adding him to a lineup with Nick Bosa, Keion White, Gracen Halton, Jaden Dugger, Romello Height, CJ West, Osa Odighizuwa and Mykel Williams.
They have depth, now they're focused on bursting into the backfield, getting pressure on the quarterback and being at the scene of the action. San Francisco didn't register any sacks against the Raiders but it brought pressure and that turned into batted balls and turnovers.
“It's really hard when you talk about that. The ball does come out quick, but it's never an excuse. It's really about what happens when the ball comes out quick," Morris said. "Last week we've seen a bunch of screens and a bunch of guys really getting to the football and knocking it down and being in the right spots. ... There was a couple of interceptions out there where you're forcing things early, got a really critical hit by Keion White during that game on a double move that they had, potentially had some hay on, but Keion made a great rush. So, you're really excited about where you can go.
"Obviously, you want the production, particularly for the individual stats and the guys, but really happy where the defense is and when they're playing in the most critical moments," Morris added. "They're being their best when their best is required and that's really all you can ask."
Osa Odighizuwa back in Dallas
Odighizuwa was traded to the 49ers from the Cowboys during the offseason. It was one of the Niners' earlier attempts to beef up their defensive line.
Now, he faces off agaisnt his former team for the first time. It'll be interesting to see what kind of fire that could set under Odighizuwa. Morris is unsure if the defensive lineman has the Cowboys on his mind, but it's worth a watch.
“I don't know. I really didn't talk to him that way. I don't know if guys hold onto those emotional rollercoaster type things," Morris said.
Odighizuwa said in May that joining the Niners gives him a chance to help win a Super Bowl.
"I feel like getting some handcuffs taken off of me a little bit," he said. "(I) definitely want to make the deep playoff run, bro, and get to the dance. I want to get that ring for sure. Being on a team that's been in two of the last (seven Super Bowls) is very hopeful going into the playoffs. I think they made it to the second round of the playoffs with a bunch of guys hurt, you know what I mean?"
George Kittle vs. Cowboys
Tight end George Kittle doesn't care for the Cowboys. He often wears a special, anti-Cowboys T-shirt to commemorate these games.
Just be on the lookout if he wears it again. He said he "potentially" will. Imagine if he scores and reveals it?
49ers' offensive weapons
Wide receiver Jordan Watkins had a big game last week. Expect him to be a target that Brock Purdy looks for more frequently after he put up four catches for 86 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders.
"He's a guy who has blossomed because of that mindset and he continues to get better every week," 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said. "It's really cool to see a guy get rewarded for that with plays and making huge plays for us a couple of weeks in a row. I'm very happy for him and he knows as well as anyone, he has to keep doing that to have that sustained success. ... He's helping our team. He's helping us in the running game. He's making plays. It's a big part of what we're doing on offense right now."
Also be on the lookout for Purdy and Allen to establish a connection.
"It's been awesome. Just a true pro. I feel like he understands looking at our plays and our formations and stuff," Purdy said of Allen. "He's been around the block and understands what the routes are and where he needs to be. He's got really good hands and good feet, creates some really good separation from what I've seen this week so far. ... I'm really excited actually come Sunday to play with him."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 5 things to keep an eye on in the 49ers-Cowboys Week 10 matchup
