NFL Showdown: 49ers vs. Cowboys - Who's the Real Contender?

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From The Sporting Tribune Today

49ers Face Questions at 7-1 While Cowboys Enter a Must-Win Stretch

The 49ers are 7-1 following the addition of Keenan Allen, but questions remain about whether they are true contenders. For this team, the regular season is not the ultimate test. What matters is reaching the playoffs and proving how they fare against the rest of the field.

It will also be interesting to see how Allen and Mike Evans get along after Keenan said he was the best receiver. They have cleaned things up, but this still feels like the NFL version of Unc Nation, and it is difficult to predict how it will unfold.

The 49ers have continued to win, but their schedule has been favorable, and they have caught opponents when those teams were not at their best. They still deserve credit for going out and performing, but the larger questions will not be answered until the postseason.

The Dallas Cowboys, meanwhile, need to secure a win this weekend. If they cannot win this game, there is little reason to believe they can accomplish anything in the postseason or during the remainder of the regular season.

The Philadelphia Eagles are struggling, but Dallas has done nothing to establish itself as the top team. The Cowboys are not dealing with the same level of injuries or turmoil as teams such as the Giants and Commanders. Their biggest issue is that they are not playing with enough heart. The defensive coordinator can take some blame, but the problems go beyond coaching.

If the Cowboys lose, their season is over. Even if they fall to 4-6 while the Giants continue to struggle, Dallas has a history of creating hope before delivering a first-round exit. A win would immediately restart the Super Bowl talk, but the remaining schedule is challenging.

The Cowboys still have the 49ers, Titans, Eagles, Seahawks, Rams, Jaguars, Giants and Commanders ahead. The 49ers game looks like a loss, while Dallas must beat the Titans and Eagles. The Seahawks could present a difficult matchup if they remain on track because they play good defense. The Rams could also cause problems if their defense clicks, especially because Dallas struggles with blocking up front. Miles Garrett and Aaron Donaldson would add to that challenge, while the Jacksonville Jaguars have also traded for defensive tackles.

The road after the Titans game is difficult. Division games are always hard, but the Eagles look finished. Dallas must take advantage or accept that its season is effectively over.