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Cowboys vs. 49ers: 5 Bold Week 4 Predictions for San Francisco

By Peter Panacy

August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Andrew Gachkar (52) during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Andrew Gachkar (52) during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) leaps over Chicago Bears safety Chris Prosinski (31) in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) leaps over Chicago Bears safety Chris Prosinski (31) in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4: 49ers Will Hold RB Ezekiel Elliott to Less Than 75 Yards

Week 3 could easily be seen as rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott’s coming-out game. Against the Bears, the Cowboys’ first-round draft pick amassed 140 yards on 30 carries.

And plays like these show why Elliott can easily be a star in this league:

One would figure Elliott could be in line for big numbers against a 49ers defense which was torched by Seattle Seahawks tailback Christine Michael a week ago. Yet the Niners defense plays much better at home. Just look at how Los Angeles Rams star running back Todd Gurley was bottled up in Week 1.

Factor this in as well — Elliott’s biggest game of the season came against a Bears defense ranked next to last against the run (428 yards allowed).

And no, the 49ers aren’t last in this category.

Prior to that, Elliott was averaging 67 yards per game. The sample size is small, but San Francisco’s defense will be able to ensure Week 3 isn’t repeated.