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

By Peter Panacy

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August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) runs against Dallas Cowboys linebacker Keith Smith (56) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) runs against Dallas Cowboys linebacker Keith Smith (56) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: QB Blaine Gabbert vs. Cowboys Secondary

OK, so you might have been thinking the No. 1 matchup would involve quarterback Dak Prescott somehow.

Instead, Niners fans should watch their own quarterback, Blaine Gabbert, to see whether or not he can reverse what has been an ugly start to his 2016 campaign. Gabbert is completing a mere 55.2 percent of his passes, and most of those are on the proverbial “dink and dunk” attempts within five yards or so.

In total, Gabbert’s passer rating on the year is a paltry 68.6, and Pro Football Focus has him ranked as the 35th best quarterback out of 36 qualifiers.

No wonder calls for a Colin Kaepernick start have grown in recent days.

Gabbert’s job is on the line. There isn’t much doubt there. But the Cowboys defense, especially its secondary, provides a bit of an opportunity for San Francisco’s signal-caller to bounce back.

Dallas safeties Byron Jones and Barry Church have had solid seasons. But the Cowboys’ cornerback crop has more than a few questions within. Overall, Dallas has allowed the 23rd most passing yards (870) and 23rd most passing touchdowns (six) in the league this year.

And the defense has generated just two interceptions, which is right in the middle of the pack.

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One shouldn’t expect Gabbert to come out and light up the Cowboys secondary on Sunday. But it wouldn’t be beyond reason to assume he has a better go of things compared to what was seen in Weeks 2 or 3 against the Panthers and Seahawks, respectively.

If he doesn’t? Well, the call to Kaepernick may come sooner than expected.

Next: 49ers to Shorten the Leash on QB Blaine Gabbert?

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of ESPN.com, Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.