'Emotional Quicksand? Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers: 5 Keys to Win, Injury & Inactives List

The Dallas Cowboys take on the San Francisco 49ers in a true clash of NFC titans. What does Mike McCarthy's team have to do to secure what would be an important win?

The next chapter in the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers rivalry will be written on Sunday night in what looms as a potentially season-defining game for coach Mike McCarthy's team.

With the Niners being perfect through the first month and the Cowboys only having the one embarrassing blemish, all roads lead to Santa Clara, where Dallas looks to show that it is, in fact, in the same weight class as coach Kyle Shanahan's 49ers team.

But how do the Cowboys snap a two-game losing streak against the 49ers on Sunday night? By doing these certain five things. ...

But first, the inactive list for tonight's game: Trey Lance (third QB), Israel Mukuamu, Eric Scott, Asim Richards, Jalen Brooks, Peyton Hendershot (injured) and Junior Fehoko.

Oh, and this week’s captains: QB Dak Prescott (offense), DB DaRon Bland (defense) and punter Bryan Anger (special teams). 

Now, to The Five Keys.

1. Limit offensive turnovers: The most obvious one is straight out of the gate. Dak Prescott only has one turnover through four games this season, and his ability to protect the football against the 49ers will largely determine the game's outcome.

In the two playoff losses, Dak has thrown three interceptions, and one could argue his two last season decided the game. 

It's a simple message: don't turn the ball over. Prescott has done a good job of that so far; he needs to do it again on prime time. Oh, and when we say "limit,'' what number do we have in mind? That would be "zero.''

2. Stop Christian McCaffrey and 49ers run game: Perhaps one of the biggest watches is how the Dallas defense stops the 49ers run game. In the 2022 playoff loss, the 49ers rushed for 169 yards and two touchdowns on 38 attempts.

Last season, giving up 33 attempts for 113 yards and a touchdown was slightly better. As far as McCaffrey goes, he only managed 35 yards on 10 carries in the Divisional Round last season.

So, he was kept in check as it was Elijah Mitchell who did most of the damage. He's out for this one, so "Stop McCaffrey'' is Defensive Job No. 1. ... and the Cowboys have confidence in a track record that says they can.

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys know what a win could do for their season on Sunday night / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

3. Convert red-zone drives: If there ever was a time for the Cowboys' red-zone issues to get fixed, then this is that time. In 19 red-zone trips, the Cowboys have scored on seven of them. That needs a gentle bump upward - no, let's make it a major bump up - on Sunday night.

Look at these fat numbers: Dallas is averaging a league-best 4.8 red-zone possessions per game. Dallas is third in plays run in there (70). But ... Dallas ranks 30th in TD Rate (37 percent). That is the definition of getting "bogged down.''

When Dallas gets inside the 20, it has to be all gas and no breaks. "Touchdowns will win this game, not field goals''? Obviously. But it's a "scoreboard-plus'' thing here. Fail in the red zone again as Dallas has too often and a "Here We Go Again'' mindset could creep in - and that can be as damaging as the scoreboard.

4. Get after Brock Purdy: The 49ers have only given up seven sacks this season, and the offense only has one turnover through four games. Coordinator Dan Quinn's defense needs to show up in a big way in Santa Clara.

The Cowboys have forced 10 turnovers to the Niners' five, and if there was a time for Micah Parsons to take over a game completely, its this one. Get Purdy looking uncomfortable in the pocket - just this once! - and let this much-vaunted pass rush eat.

They would love to call themselves "Doomsday''; it is time to see it against the Niners.

5. Don't fall victim to emotional quicksand: Those of you who remember the 2000 movie "The Replacements'' will know where we're going here. The harder Dallas tries, sometimes the worse things get. 

As Shane Falco (Keanu Reeves' character) says: "You try to fight back, but the harder you fight, the deeper you sink. Until you can't move ... You can't breathe ... because you're in over your head. Like quicksand."

Dallas doesn't want to be emotionally drained after the first quarter if an interception is thrown or if the 49ers score a touchdown. If things start to go sideways, patience is key, and this is where McCarthy's even hand and situational play-calling could prove decisive.

Control the emotion. Don't get caught up in the enormity of the game. Don't try and do too much. Complementary football has fueled Dallas so far. That is a winning formula ... And now all it has to do is work, finally, against the Niners.