The Worksheet, a comprehensive fantasy football preview by Rich Hribar, breaks down everything you need to know about the Week 8 matchup between the 49ers and Cowboys.
Find a breakdown of every Week 8 NFL game in our Worksheet Hub.
| Dallas | Rank | @ | San Francisco | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 | Spread | -4.5 | ||
| 21 | Implied Total | 25.5 | ||
| 21 | 20 | Points/Gm | 25.7 | 8 |
| 28 | 31 | Points All./Gm | 22.6 | 16 |
| 64.5 | 5 | Plays/Gm | 63.1 | 12 |
| 62.3 | 18 | Opp. Plays/Gm | 59.7 | 12 |
| 5.2 | 18 | Off. Yards/Play | 6.4 | 3 |
| 5.7 | 24 | Def. Yards/Play | 5.3 | 17 |
| 34.37% | 31 | Rush% | 47.96% | 11 |
| 65.63% | 2 | Pass% | 52.04% | 22 |
| 50.53% | 28 | Opp. Rush % | 42.58% | 13 |
| 49.47% | 5 | Opp. Pass % | 57.42% | 20 |
- San Francisco has 13 more plays of 20 or more yards than their opponents, the largest differential in the league.
- The Dallas run defense has the worst expected points added (-22.3) this season.
- 77.1% of the Dallas yards have been gained via passing, the highest rate in the league.
- The Cowboys are the only team in the league without a run of 15 or more yards on the season.
- Dallas has turned the ball over on 17.2% of their possessions, 31st in the league.
- 37% (10-of-27) of the scoring plays for Dallas have been touchdowns, the lowest rate in the league.
- The Cowboys have converted 37.5% (6-of-16) of their red zone drives for touchdowns, 31st in the league.
- The 49ers have converted 45.2% (14-of-31) of their red zone trips for touchdowns, 27th in the league.
- The Cowboys have allowed a touchdown on 73.7% (14-of-19) of their opponent's red zone trips, 31st in the league.
Trust = spike production for that player
Quarterback
Brock Purdy: Purdy survived last week as QB11 (17.2 points), but things were masked by a pair of QB sneaks for touchdowns.
He had a season-low 6.8 yards per pass attempt.
Purdy worked Sunday without Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings (and still no CMC), and then lost Brandon Aiyuk for the season during the game.
He completed 54.8% of his passes, the third time over his past four games that he has completed fewer than 60% of his throws.
He did not throw a touchdown pass, the 5th time in seven weeks that he has thrown one or fewer touchdowns.
Purdy has three QB1 scoring weeks this season.
He already was not running as hot as a year ago before Sunday.
I prefer to use Purdy as a higher-end QB2 and take on any spike weeks we run into at this point, but you can add in some upside if Samuel and Jennings are back to full practice at the end of the week.
Purdy torched a stronger Dallas defense a year ago (26.1 points), but that was with a healthier surrounding cast.
The Cowboys need Micah Parsons back (out again on Sunday) because they have been crushed when they have failed to get to the opposing passer.
When they have not pressured the quarterback, Dallas has allowed a 73.6% completion rate (25th), a 6.8% touchdown rate (31st), and a league-high 8.8 yards per pass attempt.
Dak Prescott: Prescott comes out of the bye with only two QB1 scoring weeks over his opening six games played.
He is QB16 in points per game.
This is another spot to handle Prescott as a QB2.
San Francisco is 8th in passing points allowed per attempt (0.348) and 7th in passing points allowed per game (10.9).
The 49ers have had Dak’s number on top of that.
Prescott has not beaten the 49ers since 2017.
These teams have played in each of the past three seasons, with Prescott throwing 3 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in those games.
Prescott has completed 57.7% of his passes for 5.9 yards per pass attempt in those matchups.
Running Back
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More Week 8 Fantasy Breakdowns From The Worksheet:
| Matchup | Time |
|---|---|
| Vikings @ Rams -- FREE | Thursday Night Football |
| Eagles @ Bengals | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Ravens @ Browns | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Titans @ Lions | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Cardinals @ Dolphins | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Jets @ Patriots | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Falcons @ Bucs | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Packers @ Jaguars | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Colts @ Texans | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Saints @ Chargers | Sunday -- 4:05 p.m. ET |
| Bills @ Seahawks | Sunday -- 4:05 p.m. ET |
| Panthers @ Broncos | Sunday -- 4:25 p.m. ET |
| Chiefs @ Raiders | Sunday -- 4:25 p.m. ET |
| Bears @ Commanders | Sunday -- 4:25 p.m. ET |
| Cowboys @ 49ers | Sunday Night Football |
| Giants @ Steelers -- FREE | Monday Night Football |
