The Dallas Cowboys face their toughest test of the season in Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers. It’s a matchup that comes at a bad time; the Cowboys are woundedand need a win against a team who’s had their number recently.
If the Cowboys want to even their record and start a winning streak, it’ll have to come against one of the best teams in the NFL. The 49ers are efficient on offense and have an opportunistic defense that’s stymied Dak Prescott and the offense in the last few meetings. Here are three reasons to hate the Cowboys’ matchup with the 49ers in Week 10.
QB Brock Purdy
The 49ers might not have all their receiving weapons healthy, but Purdy continues to play at a high level in Kyle Shanahan’s system.
Brock Purdy had a 90th percentile EPA/dropback
against the Raiders, per @SumerSports Purdy is 2nd in Total EPA among quarterbacks this season
— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) November 9, 2026
Ranking inside the top 10 in every major passing category is difficult to do when Purdy is just 19th in attempts. He’s thrown for 17 touchdowns against just five interceptions, has close to a 70% completion percentage, displaying his effeciency.
Purdy also has good mobility and can escape the pass rush. The veteran quarterback has rushed for two scores and only been sacked eight times, tops in the league for someone who’s started over six games this season. With the Cowboys’ inability to control QBs outside the pocket, Purdy represents a difficult challenge for Christian Parker’s defense.
RB Christian McCaffrey
After a strong outing against the Indianapolis Colts last week, Dallas’ defense gets an even tougher test with McCaffrey and the 49ers’ running scheme. The veteran running back doesn’t get the same volume as he used to and he’s not as explosive, but McCaffrey still runs for 4.5 yards a carry and is a red zone monster with nine rushing scores. McCaffrey has found the end zone in all but one game this season, despite not getting over 18 carries in any contest.
He’s also one of the best receiving RBs in the league; McCaffrey is tied for third at the position in receptions with 36.
The Cowboys’ defense is 31st in the league against the run and has allowed 11 touchdowns on the ground, giving up a rushing score in all but one game. McCaffrey has the ability to continue to make life miserable for the Cowboys, on the ground and through the air.
Tough defense
The 49ers have one of the best defenses in the NFL, they stop the run at a high level and allow under 20 points a game. Only three teams have scored over 17 points against a San Francisco’s defense that has allowed just four rushing touchdowns, two of which have come on quarterback sneaks.
Beating the 49ers is easier through the air, but they still rank as the eighth best against the pass. It’s a team known for their pass rush, but Raheem Morris’ defense isn’t getting home at a high rate, so the Cowboys might be better off taking their chances via the pass.
Prescott’s struggled against the 49ers in his career, but being at home should help the Cowboys. It won’t be easy to move the ball against a stingy defense, especially when Dallas’ offense has been running hot and cold recently.
A massive test awaits Brian Schottenheimer’s offense this week.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 3 things the Cowboys should hate about the 49ers in Week 10
