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Cowboys vs. 49ers: 5 Matchups to Watch for San Francisco

By Peter Panacy

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October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) defends during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) defends during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4: LB Ahmad Brooks vs. RT Doug Free

Cowboys right tackle Doug Free is the only starting offensive lineman to post a grade, per Pro Football Focus, below 70 (49.1).

The rest of Dallas’ offensive line? Well, it’s going to be tough for the 49ers pass rush to get through it. Yet the NFL is a matchup-oriented league, so targeting Free in pass protection might be a likable option.

At this point in his career, veteran linebacker Ahmad Brooks is little more than a situational pass-rusher. He does lead the Niners defense with two sacks in 2016. Despite problems against the run — we’ll get to that in a bit — Brooks is having a better season, per PFF, against the pass.

Second-year defensive end Arik Armstead will be tasked with creating enough havoc along the right side of the Cowboys O-line. Hopefully this is enough to free up pass-rushers like Brooks to converge on quarterback Dak Prescott.

You know, because pressure on opposing QBs is kind of important.