San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys: 49ers O-Line Will Determine Outcome

The 49ers' offensive will determine their fate against the Dallas Cowboys. The offense was bailed out by the defense and special teams in their opener, but it's going to take a complete team effort against the Cowboys if they want to obtain a victory.

Despite not necessarily controlling the line of scrimmage, the offensive line has improved significantly in pass protection. No sacks allowed in their opener is a huge accomplishment, regardless of what happened in the run game or the fact that Seattle lacks an elite pass rusher.

This week will present a much bigger challenge. The line has no more time to get acclimated to the new offense. It's go time, and Demarcus Ware is going to be coming full tilt, just as he always does.

Joe Staley is going to have his hands full, and there is a possibility Rob Ryan looks to attack right tackle Anthony Davis. Ware was able to drop Mark Sanchez twice last week, and the Jets happen to have a franchise left tackle in D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

Smith only got hit one time last week. Expect that to change in a hurry, as Ryan is never hesitant to bring the blitz. Smith isn't going to be comfortable, but that doesn't mean the 49ers are doomed to fail.

They have to establish a run game early on in order to alleviate some of the pressure off of Smith. Frank Gore can't be shut down again, and it's up to the guys up front to ensure that he is provided with running lanes.

Isolating Jay Ratliff has to take precedence on rushing plays. Getting push on the nose can blow plays between the tackles right open. Gore is a master at finding a lane between the tackles if one opens up. Ratliff just got a huge extension and will be looking to show he's deserving of every penny.++

It's going to take a collective effort from the entire interior line to get the better of Ratliff, but getting a guy to the second level to get a hat on Bradie James is crucial. Gore's monster runs come between the tackles when defenders at the second level get caught up in the wash.

Such will be the case against Dallas, where Marcus Spears, Demarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer are going to make picking up anything to the outside virtually impossible.

This front dropped Alex Smith four times when they saw them in 2008, but the 49ers have invested heavily in the line, and improvements have been made nearly across the board since the last time they squared off.

The 49ers looked like they had one of the best defenses in the league when they took on Seattle. Don't expect the defense to completely shut down the Cowboys. You also shouldn't plan on seeing Ted Ginn Jr. take over this game. The offense has to meet the defense and special teams half way.

Avoiding the major mental errors and keeping Smith upright is the only way the 49ers can hope to compete. Braylon Edwards, Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree have to have solid outings, but unless Gore can make his presence felt, this game isn't going to end well for San Francisco.

Dallas has the edge in the trenches, but that doesn't mean the 49ers are going to roll over and hand them the "W." As long as they avoid the critical lapses in judgement, the 49ers' offensive line isn't going to be a liability for the 49ers.

Last game, the 49ers saw the return game go from an area of weakness to the team's biggest strength. In the same light, the offensive line can show that they are growing more comfortable in Jim Harbaugh's offense.

It's all about improving week to week. They continue to look better every time they take the field, but it's clear they haven't mastered the offense yet. Every week, they need to take another step towards getting into midseason form.

It's not easy learning a new offense on the fly and the 49ers bound to see some growing pains rear their heads against a complex defense, just as they did against the Saints in their opener.

This is a great challenge that Harbaugh will readily accept. Unlike Seattle, this game will be a great measuring stick for every member of the offensive line, as everyone is subject to being exposed.