Dallas at San Francisco 49ers: Cowboys Ready With 'New Plays,' Previews Dak Prescott

The Dallas Cowboys face the San Francisco 49ers in a true heavyweight clash on Sunday Night Football, but Dak Prescott knows that this specific matchup means far more than others.

If there's one player who has something to prove more than any other against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night, it's Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott ... and he knows it.

Largely blamed for both of Dallas' playoff exits at the hands of the Niners in consecutive years, the pressure on Prescott to play well against one of the best teams in the NFL is extremely high.

With so many ramifications hinging on the result, Dak knows that this Week 5 matchup means far more than just the final score. ... and he's also suggesting that the "Texas Coast Offense'' has some tricks up its sleeve for this weekend.

"It means more than just one game," Prescott said. "You got to treat it as one game. At the end of the day it would just be one game. But understanding these guys are undefeated, fighting for the one seed, we're always trying to get every game that you can.

"You don't go into any game thinking that we don't need this one or this one is as big as that one. But from a team that's been consistent the past few years, knocked us out of the playoffs in the last few years, there's a lot that we can gain from this win that makes it definitely more than just one game."

If the Cowboys are to hand the 49ers their first loss of the season, ball security is the No. 1 goal for the offense. 

Dak Prescott knows that Sunday night's game has a lot riding on it / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

With Prescott throwing two interceptions in last season's playoff loss that played a big part in Dallas's year coming to a screeching halt, the importance that has been placed on not allowing the 49ers to have extra possessions has been huge.

For Dak, the importance of continuing not to turn the ball over isn't lost on him.

“That’s huge,” Prescott said. “That’s kind of what we’re hanging our hat on to start with, to start this season is taking care of the ball. When you play a team like this [49ers], that have a powerful offense, that has a fundamental defense, you can’t give them any extra plays. Going to continue what we’ve been doing, covering, finishing, and taking care of the ball on our end.”

With Dallas having three blowout wins in its first four games, some have thought that coach Mike McCarthy and the offense might not have shown their full hand when it comes to the playbook.

Trying to get any sort of advantage over the 49ers is crucial, and as for keeping some plays tucked away for a rainy day, Prescott had some interesting words.

“A good bit, there’s a few plays we haven’t used yet,” said Dak, adding another level of intrigue to an outing that hardly needs it.