Cowboys Have The Most To Prove Against 49ers

This afternoon when the Dallas Cowboys take on the San Francisco 49ers some familiar narratives will emerge. Is this the year that Tony Romo will finally have the season that defines his career and erases all the talk of choking? Or will we see the success story of Colin Kaepernick continue?

The Cowboys defense has a lot to prove in this game as well. In 2013 they allowed the third most yards in a single season in NFL history. Jason Hatcher Hatcher and DeMarcus Ware also moved on to new teams. This means that this defense is going to need to show that they are not worse off for it, because if they are worse off they may gave up even more yards this season.

The Cowboys defense will be tasked with stopping Frank Gore and the 49ers offense. Gore was third in rushing yards last season, while the Cowboys were 27th on run defense. It seems like it may be a long day for the Cowboys defense.

The 49ers, will also be attacking with the pass. They added Stevie Johnson to their arsenal of reciever during the offseason. Johnson joins Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis. The Cowboys had the 30th ranked pass defense in 2013.

The Cowboys only shot at having a successful season rests on Romo. Romo is going to have to keep pace offensively with not just the 49ers for his team to win, but in order to have a winning season, he is going to have to do it all year.

Romo is capable of pushing points into the 30s. In seven of his last 15 starts he has led his offense to 30 points or movie.

The Cowboys are fifth in scoring, eighth in yards per carry and 13th in passing yards per attempt. If the Cowboys are going to win then they are going to do it through the air.

Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams and Jason Witten should match up well with the 49ers secondary, giving Romo options down the field.

The 49ers are the favorites to win this one with a -4 point spread. Expect a high scoring game. The over/under is set at 51.