NFL Picks Week 2: 5 Reasons 49ers Will Hand Cowboys Another Loss

In a storied rivalry of teams who have faced each other six times in the NFC Championship Game, the San Francisco 49ers look to add another chapter by beating the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2 of the 2011 NFL season.

The 49ers are riding a little momentum after an ugly win against the Seattle Seahawks last week. They needed two Ted Ginn returns for touchdowns to seal the victory.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys are coming off of a very disappointing loss to the New York Jets on Sunday night. Tony Romo threw an interception late in the game that gave the Jets a chance to come back and win the game.

Each of these teams would love to make the playoffs this season under their new head coaches (not counting interim status).

However, regardless of how either team finishes the season, the 49ers will win on Sunday. Here are five reasons why.

Dallas Cowboys' Injuries

Cornerbacks Terence Newman and Orlando Scandrick will be out for the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. This will leave the secondary vulnerable and allow Alex Smith to have a solid game.

Also, with the weakened defense, the Cowboys will use less blitzes in an attempt to protect the inexperienced reserves, giving Smith more time in the pocket and allowing Frank Gore more running room.

The Cowboys also might be without Dez Bryant for the game. He has not practiced all week, and even if he plays, he will not be 100 percent. Bryant looks like a special talent, and any time he does not play, the Cowboys should miss his production and game-changing ability.

More Time Learning Jim Harbaugh's System

When a new coach comes to a team, it takes a long time for every player to learn the new system. This is why there are usually so many offseason training camps for teams to come together.

With this year's lockout, teams were not able to practice until a few weeks before the preseason was scheduled to start. Teams who were forced to learn an entirely new playbook are left behind while teams with the most continuity should get off to good starts.

The San Francisco 49ers are one of those teams that had to start from scratch, but all it means is that they will get better every week. Every extra practice that the team has together should make drastic improvements because they are still in the infant stages of the new regime.

Last week was Jim Harbaugh's first career NFL game. A lot of mistakes were made, but they came away with a victory. If he can make the necessary adjustments, the 49ers should come out a whole lot better in game two.

Run Defense

The Dallas Cowboys only averaged 2.5 yards per rushing attempt last week against the New York Jets. If they want to be a successful team, they will have to learn how to run the ball. Unfortunately, the San Francisco 49ers are not the team to turn it around against.

Anchored by Patrick Willis, the 49ers have one of the best run defenses in the league. Last week, Marshawn Lynch led the Seahawks with 33 yards rushing. Pro Bowl defensive end Justin Smith is off to another great start, and a bunch of new starters look ready to step up for the defense.

From the Cowboys perspective, they need to find a way to replace the production they got from Marion Barber. While they believe Felix Jones can be a full-time starter, he has consistently been less productive after his first 10 carries of the game.

If the Cowboys are unable to run the ball, it will be a long day.

Special Teams

While Ted Ginn will not return two kicks every game, he obviously has figured out what made him the ninth overall pick in the draft in 2007. His elusiveness in last week's game was something that he has not shown since his Ohio State days.

Ginn can be a big factor in this game when it comes to field position and momentum as he can swing either in the 49ers' favor at any point.

It also is important to remember that kick returners have a habit of getting into hot streaks. Remember Devin Hester, Dante Hall, Leon Washington and others who were all able to have multiple touchdowns in short periods of time.

The best return men on the Dallas Cowboys are now starters. Dez Bryant and Felix Jones are now too valuable to risk an injury so the return duty is left to Dwayne Harris and DeMarco Murray.

While they have talent, it will be hard to imagine either making a game-changing play.

Tony Romo's Mistakes

After nine years in the league, it still seems that when the going gets tough, Tony Romo messes up.

Last week, Romo had a crucial fumble and an inexcusable interception late that cost the game for the Cowboys against the Jets.

In his injury-shortened 2010 season, Romo had an impressive 94.9 quarterback rating. However, in close and late situations (fourth quarter, +/- seven points), his rating went down to a 69.7.

As much as the word "clutch" is thrown around as an immeasurable quantity, the stats do not favor Romo.

Now this is not to say that Alex Smith is more capable with the ball in his hand, but the San Francisco 49ers know their strength. They will run the ball as much as they can, and if they have the lead early, they will be able to sit on the lead.

On the contrary, Romo will most likely be forced to throw the ball all game long. At some point, sooner or later, a mistake will be made.