By: Joe Lami

AP photo: Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) talk with NBC reporter Michele Tafoya after week 3 Sep 25th vs. the Chicago Bears

SANTA CLARA–After an amazing shutout victory at home to start the season. The San Francisco 49ers find themselves with a 1-2 record after two blowout losses on the road to two of the NFC’s best. This week San Francisco will be hosting the Dallas Cowboys and their two stud rookies in Dak Prescott and Zeke Elliot. Both Prescott and Elliot have been phenomenal in their first three games, as they have led Dallas to a 2-1 record.

San Francisco desperately needs a win on Sunday against these two rookies, who will be making their first visit to Levi’s Stadium. The Cowboys will also be without star Wide Receiver, Dez Bryant, who was ruled out earlier in the week with a hairline fracture in his knee.

Not having Bryant could lead to a huge advantage for the 49ers, as they can target in on Elliot and force Prescott to beat them with his arm, which he has only thrown one touchdown on the season.

On the offensive side of the ball, San Francisco is way too one-dimensional and has depended all on the running game. This has allowed opposing defenses to stop Carlos Hyde and force the 49ers’ poor aerial attack to do most of the work. Blaine Gabbert has not been the answer at all, as he has been terrible with both his passing and keeping the ball during the read option.

It’s a great opportunity on Sunday for the 49ers to get back to a .500 record, but they need to start games better, as the first halves in both Carolina and Seattle will not be enough to earn wins in the NFL.