As the Dallas Cowboys prepare to face the San Francisco 49ers, both teams are grappling with injuries and disappointing records. The Cowboys, at 3-3, are coming off a bye week, while the 49ers sit at 3-4 after a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in a rematch of last year’s Super Bowl. Here are the top ten storylines to follow as they head into this crucial matchup.

49ers

1. On a Downward Slide

The 49ers are not where they expected to be, entering the game with a losing record. They’ve lost four games by a mere 22 points, while the Cowboys have been outscored by 66 points in their three losses. San Francisco has struggled to win close games, which has been a hallmark of their recent success. They also have lost two straight home games, looking to end that streak against a Cowboys team that hasn’t won in San Francisco since 2017.

2. Receiver Woes

The 49ers faced a significant setback when Brandon Aiyuk suffered a season-ending knee injury. With Deebo Samuel hospitalized with pneumonia, his status for Sunday is uncertain. This leaves San Francisco to rely on Jauan Jennings and rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing in the passing game.

3. CMC’s Status in Question

Coach Kyle Shanahan indicated he would be “surprised” if Christian McCaffrey plays this week due to an Achilles/calf injury. With a bye week ahead, the 49ers may opt to hold him out until their next game against the Buccaneers. In McCaffrey’s absence, Jordan Mason will be leaned on, as he ranks second in the NFL with 667 rushing yards.

4. Purdy’s Struggles

Quarterback Brock Purdy’s performance has declined from last season, where he threw 31 touchdowns to just 11 interceptions. This year, he has nine touchdown passes against seven interceptions, with a quarterback rating of 91.2, a significant drop from his NFL-leading 113.0 QBR last season.

5. Defensive Struggles

Injuries have primarily affected the offense, but the 49ers’ defense has not performed as expected. San Francisco ranks in the middle of the league in several defensive categories. Despite Nick Bosa’s past success, he has only managed 3.5 sacks this season, far below expectations.

Cowboys

1. Fresh Off the Bye

The Cowboys should be well-rested after their bye week. Coach Mike McCarthy has had success post-bye in his tenure, with a 3-1 record, excluding one overtime loss. The team needs to get back over .500, especially with NFC East rivals winning.

2. Injury Updates

The Cowboys are still uncertain about Micah Parsons and DaRon Bland’s availability. Owner Jerry Jones stated it’s too early to tell if Parsons will return from his high ankle sprain. Bland, who has been sidelined since August, may also be a game-time decision.

3. Running Game Issues

Dallas is struggling in the running game, averaging just 77.2 yards per game, the lowest in the NFL. They have yet to see a running back exceed 100 yards this season. Despite having four-time Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook on the practice squad, there are no indications he will be activated this week.

4. Slow Starts

The Cowboys need to improve their offensive and defensive starts. They have yet to score a touchdown on their opening drive or in the third quarter, while opponents have scored seven touchdowns to start halves. Overall, Dallas has been outscored 61-15 in the first and third quarters.

5. Turnover Battle

Turnovers will be crucial in this game. Both teams have given the ball away 11 times, but the 49ers have forced 13 turnovers, while the Cowboys have only managed five. In their last three losses to the 49ers, Dallas has lost the turnover battle 7-3.

As these two teams prepare to clash, the stakes are high for both. Expect an intense game filled with drama and key moments that could define the rest of their seasons.