Dak Prescott

Cowboys vs. 49ers: How San Francisco's Defense Can Slow Down QB Dak Prescott

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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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.

August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (69, left) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) celebrate during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

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.

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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.

Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs with the ball against the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Negating the Cowboys Rushing Attack

As is the case with many young mobile quarterbacks, a key factor in controlling the offense is ensuring the running game is going.

Quarterback Dak Prescott isn’t any different than, let’s say, Colin Kaepernick back in his heyday. Kaepernick needed a strong running game to thrive of play-action and read-option schemes. The Niners had a good ground attack back then. The Cowboys have a potential breakout one with Ezekiel Elliott right now.

We can look at Elliott’s incredible hurdle against the Chicago Bears in Week 3. But notice how the rookie tailback cuts to his right, as the Bears fail to set the edge on defense:

San Francisco struggled with this in Week 3, which allowed Seahawks running back Christine Michael to gash the Niners defense early on in the game.

Effective running games make any quarterback’s life easier, which means Prescott will have an easier go of things if San Francisco’s defense isn’t setting the edge on the ground.

Sep 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jimmie Ward (25) breaks up a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley (11) at AT&T Stadium. San Francisco beat Dallas 28-17. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Blanket Coverage on Cowboys Receiving Targets

Quarterback Dak Prescott has three favored targets — tight end Jason Witten (20 targets) and wide receivers Dez Bryant (23 targets) and Cole Beasley (25 targets).

Beasley is an interesting commodity to watch here. The 5-foot-8 slot receiver leads the team with 213 receiving yards, which creates a matchup question for San Francisco’s defense.

Defensive back Jimmie Ward would probably be an ideal candidate to cover Beasley out of the slot. But Ward is dealing with a quad injury and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest. Cornerback Chris Davis could be asked to step up against Beasley, but the Niners also like using rookie corners in the slot.

So this means Rashard Robinson, who hasn’t been tested much this season.

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco secondary has held up particularly well in coverage this season. Minus a few gaffes in Seattle and Carolina, of course. Only veteran corner Tramaine Brock (53.1) grades out with a mark lower than 70, according to Pro Football Focus‘ evaluation of 49ers sub packages.

Taking away Prescott’s receiving targets is essential, which will necessitate his need to stay in the pocket more.

And that’s where things get interesting. Challenging too.

August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (69) rushes Dallas Cowboys tackle John Wetzel (61) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Pressuring Prescott in Spite of Dallas’ Strong Offensive Line

Entering 2016, the Cowboys had the No. 1-ranked offensive line, according to Pro Football Focus.

Indeed, only right tackle Doug Free has a PFF grade below 70 along the line (49.1).

So this likely means the 49ers won’t be able to generate much of a pass rush in standard, four-rushing packages. San Francisco will likely have to scheme up blitzes in order to get pressure on quarterback Dak Prescott.

And this could take away from coverage within the secondary.

All four of the sacks against Prescott came in Week 2 against the Washington Redskins, who showed what pressure can do against the rookie signal-caller.

The Redskins go with a seven-man rush, but notice Free being forced to make a decision on who to block. The unblocked defender gets to Prescott.

Last week against the Bears, Prescott’s passer rating dropped from 103.4 to 67.7, per PFF, when facing pressure.

Edge pressure will be nice. But it also potentially opens up lanes through the middle of a defense. Like this:

So the Niners might want to employ a spy defender assigned solely to Prescott, while hoping their defensive backs can win the one-on-one matchups.

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As is so often the case with defensive scheming, one has to give up something in order to create something elsewhere. Through three weeks, the 49ers haven’t been able to generate much of a pass rush in standard non-blitzing packages.

But they do have a solid turnover differential and rank No. 3 in the NFL with eight takeaways.

Maybe Prescott’s zero-interception streak comes to an end in Week 4. San Francisco hopes it will, and pressure will need to be a part of it.

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

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