Dallas Cowboys: 6 Matchups to Watch in Week 2 at 49ers

The Cowboys travel to San Francisco on Sunday event to face the 'Niners at windy Candlestick Park. San Fran is 1-0 after bouncing the Seahawks last week and is coming into the game with a little confidence.

49ers quarterback Alex Smith only managed 124 passing yards, but he got the job done in leading his team to a win.

The 'Niners looked strong defensively, as they only allowed 219 total yards. But to the Seahawks' credit, San Francisco only totaled 209 total yards themselves.

Bottom line for this game is that the 49ers are undefeated and Dallas is 0-1.

So who should we watch on Sunday? Which matchups will be crucial for Dallas as they look to even their record up this weekend?

Let’s take a look at six key matchups to watch as we enter the second week of the NFL season.

Tony Romo vs. 49ers Secondary

This was one is probably obvious and ominous at the same time. Romo has to have a bounce-back game that will quell any concerns fans may have about his ability to lead the team to a Super Bowl.

Taking a glance at his stat line for Sunday Romo had a great game. He tossed two touchdowns to go along with 342 passing yards with a completion rating of 64 percent.

He obviously has the tools to get the job done, but he needs to cut down on the crucial late-game mistakes.

Most likely, Tony won’t have the same opportunity he did on Sunday to lead Dallas down the field for a game-winning score. I believe that Dallas will handle the 49ers, and Romo should have a great game.

Even if Romo has 600 passing yards and seven touchdowns, it won’t do much to subdue any issues pundits or fans may have with how he performs in the clutch.

Dez Bryant vs. Tarell Brown/Carlos Rogers

Bryant was dominant in the first quarter of the Cowboys game against the Jets, but he tailed off after that due to cramps and injuries.

I honestly believe that it wasn’t Darrelle Revis who shut him down—it was injuries and his unwillingness to play through the pain.

But Dez has a chance to reemerge this Sunday with a strong showing for all four quarters against Brown and Rogers or whoever San Fran decides to start on Sunday.

He needs to leverage his size and strength well on Sunday. Bryant is 6’2”, 218 pounds and the 49ers' biggest corner is 6’1” and 190 pounds. He should do well.

Tyron Smith vs. Ray McDonald

Here is what csnbayarea.com's Matt Maiocco had to say about Ray McDonald’s game against the Seahawks last week.

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“Started at left defensive end and thoroughly dominated in the run game and the pass game. He filled up the stat sheet with six solo tackles, a sack, three tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries.”

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McDonald is a young guy, only five years in the league, and he’s still growing into the role. Ray is 290 pounds compared to Smith’s 311 pounds, but Tyron shouldn’t have a tough time with him.

McDonald did have one sack against Seattle, but he only has six total career sacks, including the one he had against the ‘Hawks.

If Smith plays, it will be interesting to see how his hyperextended knee does against the Niners defense. He played well against the Jets and should do well against San Fran.

DeMarcus Ware vs. Joe Staley

The Cowboys bring a lot of varied looks and will not show the same defense twice. So Ware will be matched up against left tackle Joe Staley, right tackle Anthony Davis and their guards as well.

But I wanted to make focus on Staley because he seemed to do a pretty good job on Sunday against Seattle. He didn’t face an opponent as formidable as Ware, so we’ll see how he does against Dallas.

Ware should cause problems for Smith all day on Sunday, and if he’s isolated on Staley, then I hope that Smith has a good insurance policy. Staley was whistled for a false start on Sunday, and when he looks across and sees Ware staring him down, Dallas may be able to get a few offsides penalties on him.

Cowboys Special Teams vs. 49ers Special Teams

Dallas had a punt blocked on Sunday and the Jets were able to return it for a touchdown, which tied the game at 24.

Dallas linebacker Alex Albright said that there was miscommunication on the blocked punt, which led to the breakdown and then the block.

Dallas has to correct those issues before Sunday, because if that punt had gone off on Sunday and the Jets failed to score, the Cowboys may very well have a record of 1-0 right now.

Felix Jones vs. Patrick Willis/49ers Defense

Jones had 44 rushing yards and 22 receiving yards against the Jets—a decent game considering how tough the Jets defense can be.

He will have a better showing against the 'Niners, but it will be interesting to see just how well the Cowboys' young offensive line can run block against a less complex outfit.

Head coach Jason Garrett will probably use Felix more on screens than he did against the Jets and rookie DeMarco Murray should see the field more as well.

I believe the playbook will have more flexibility against San Fran and we should see more points.

Jones won’t crack 100 yards, but he will have a dynamic performance.