Cowboys vs. 49ers: How San Francisco’s Defense Can Slow Down QB Dak Prescott
By Peter Panacy
The San Francisco 49ers host the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4, which means the Niners defense will be tasked with slowing down rookie quarterback Dak Prescott. Let’s look at how this should happen.
The San Francisco 49ers move from one mobile quarterback they know can hurt them, Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, to another passer making his early mark in the NFL.
We are, of course, speaking of Dallas Cowboys rookie signal-caller Dak Prescott and the pending Week 4 matchup against the Niners.
At 1-2, San Francisco’s defense hasn’t fared well against mobile QBs like Wilson or the Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton. Newton passed for 353 yards in Week 2, and Wilson answered with a 291-yard passing performance a week ago.
So how will the Niners contend with Prescott?
Through three 2016 games, Prescott is 66-of-99 for 767 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions thrown. He has a 93.3 passer rating, which ranks 12th out of all NFL quarterbacks this season.
But Prescott is equally as capable as a rushing threat. He’s averaging 7.7 yards per attempt so far and has two touchdowns on the ground.
The 49ers should be well versed against mobile quarterbacks after the last two weeks. So scheming against Prescott shouldn’t be anything new.
Yet let’s take a look at what San Francisco will have to do to keep him from doing damage.