Dallas Cowboys Dak Prescott, DaRon Bland Among 3 to Watch at San Francisco 49ers
Following their dominant 38-3 victory over the New England Patriots in Week 4, the Dallas Cowboys are looking to remain in superior form as they take on the San Francisco 49ers for a 7:20 p.m. CT kickoff from Levi Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday night.
The Cowboys are looking to move to 4-1, and likely a spot atop the NFL power rankings by defeating their conference rivals. However, the Niners enter this matchup 4-0, and are considered one of the most balanced and effective teams in the league. San Francisco is fresh off a 35-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals last week; a team which defeated Dallas 28-16 in Week 3.
Though many of Dallas’ most notables are expected to garner some attention during this upcoming matchup, here are three players that might raise an eyebrow when the Cowboys take the field against the 49ers.
Dak Prescott
Prescott would undoubtedly like to build upon a strong performance in Sunday's 38-3 win over the Patriots. The 30-year-old completed 28 of 34 passes for 261 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Despite a disappointing Week 3 performance against the Cardinals, Prescott won the majority of his battles against an injury-riddled Pats defense, while capitalizing on Dallas' two defensive touchdowns. He will face tough 49ers defense this week.as a result, look for the Cowboys' starter to test the intermediate areas of the field to keep San Francisco's front seven on its heels.
Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott
USA TODAY
Brandin Cooks
While he has yet to put forth his breakout performance as a member of the Cowboys, Cooks may factor into the team's strategy for using speed and precise routes to battle the Niners defense. The veteran wideout had a season-high four catches against the Pats. In all likelihood, his success would have been greater if the game had not regressed into 'blowout' status; therefore, limiting his targets. Still, Cooks has the quickness and sure hands necessary to test San Francisco's secondary in Week 5. In a more competitive setting this week, expect Cooks to see an uptick in looks form Prescott.
DaRon Bland
The Modesto native is understandably looking forward to his pseudo-homecoming this weekend. Still, Bland is singularly focused on defending a potentially explosive Niners offense. Having admirably stepped-up after losing cornerback Trevon Diggs to a torn ACL, Bland has a team-leading three interceptions to go along with 14 tackles (one, for loss) and four passes-defensed.
Unsurprisingly, Dallas has not given up more than 100 receiving yards to an opposing player this season.
The Niners will counter the Cowboys' secondary with potent pass-catchers such as receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk; against whom Bland is expected to draw coverage. The fourth-year receiver has amassed 320 receiving yards on just 20 targets; fully utilizing his athletic ability to make plays, as well as his sure-handedness at the catch point. After sitting out San Francisco's Week 3 victory over the New York Giants due to a shoulder injury, Aiyuk put any lingering doubts about his health to rest last week by catching all six of his targets for 148 yards against the Cardinals.
Bland has proven his ability to draw a bead on the football and stay within reach of his target. He will need to pull upon those skills on Sunday night, if matched with Aiyuk.
