The Dallas Cowboys find themselves in an unexpected position at 3-3, heading into a crucial Week 8 clash with the San Francisco 49ers. After a rough start to the season, including three blowout losses at home, the team is eager to get back on track. Fortunately, they’ve had better luck on the road, going undefeated away from AT&T Stadium, and they’ll need to bring that same energy this Sunday.
Following a 47-9 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 6, the Cowboys took time to regroup during their bye week. Tight end Jake Ferguson, one of the key players on offense, explained that the team used the break to reassess and prepare for the challenges ahead.
“I think, after that game, we came in and cleaned up,” Ferguson said. “Then [we] had a couple more meetings after that, and then kind of flushed it like, ‘OK, stop thinking about football for a couple of days. Make sure your body does get right.'”
Ferguson, who dealt with a mild MCL sprain earlier in the season, is nearly back to full strength. His recovery is a boost for the Cowboys, but the team’s struggles, particularly in the red zone, remain a concern.
Despite the difficulties, Ferguson emphasizes sticking to their approach and learning from their mistakes rather than overhauling the game plan.
“I think that’s important every week — having a flush win or lose,” Ferguson noted. “Stay on your process, add a little stuff here and there, but don’t make it too crazy or don’t try to go the extra mile. Stay on your process, trust it.”
That process will face a stern test against the 49ers, a team that has consistently given the Cowboys trouble in recent years. As the Cowboys prepare for this crucial matchup, Ferguson explained the importance of using the bye week to stay focused while allowing time for reflection.
“When you start getting towards the end of that bye week, you start thinking a little bit more,” Ferguson said. “You don’t want to change anything when the real week comes… You want to keep that same process.”
The Cowboys are still very much in the mix in the NFC East, but their upcoming schedule is brutal. A win against the 49ers could serve as a launching point for a strong second-half push. Now, the Cowboys’ process must start paying off.
