The San Francisco 49ers hold the NFL’s best record at 7-1 as they prepare to face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Nov. 15. This team has lost just one game in its first eight outings, a streak that includes four straight wins. Quarterback Brock Purdy drives this success with a roster full of players who know the Cowboys inside out.
Several key figures on the 49ers have strong connections to North Texas. Matt Eberflus is the 49ers’ assistant head coach for defense after spending seven seasons in Dallas. Eberflus later returned to Dallas as defensive coordinator in 2025 before moving to San Francisco in 2026. His long history with the Cowboys makes him a vital link between the two franchises.
Texas Ties Run Deep on the Field
He signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2016 before starting his career with the Miami Dolphins. Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa also returns to Dallas after spending five seasons with the team. Odighizuwa has recorded two sacks and 16 tackles this season, including six solo stops.
The trade ledger also includes linebacker Dee Winters, whom the Cowboys took from San Francisco in April for a fifth-round pick. Winters started all 17 games in 2025 and set career highs with 101 tackles. He added five passes defended and his first interception that year. This season, he has contributed 38 tackles and one interception for Dallas. These players know the system and the people on the other side of the ball.
Cowboys Face a Tough Test
Dallas enters the game with a 4-5 record after beating the Indianapolis Colts 27-23 on Sunday, Nov. 8. The team has not won consecutive games all season. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer addressed the media on Monday regarding the team’s direction and the upcoming matchup. He noted that the pass rush has struggled to get consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Schottenheimer expressed confidence in his squad despite the uneven season. “I’m very comfortable in our team,” Schottenheimer said Monday, according to Dallas News. He also pointed out the need for steady play across the board. “I think the heart of these guys, the way they’ve shown that they can perform, we should have to be more consistent in that performance.” The Cowboys have only defeated two teams with winning records since he took over.
Trade rumors have been quiet as the deadline approaches on Tuesday. Co-owner Stephen Jones told 105.3 The Fan on Monday that trade talk is “pretty quiet on our front.” The focus now shifts entirely to the challenge in Arlington. “But as names come about, if they do, we talk about them, but the focus now shifts to San Francisco,” Schottenheimer said. The Cowboys must deal with a 7-1 team that has deep roots in their own backyard.
