The Dallas Cowboys' Week 5 game against the San Francisco 49ers could end up as the most important fixture on the 2023 schedule.
Not only will a win keep the Cowboys within striking distance of the NFC East title and NFC's No. 1 seed, but it would set the table for the playoffs if these rivals were to meet in January for a third straight year.
It goes without saying this matchup is more important for Dallas. They already have a loss on the ledger, whereas the 49ers are 4-0 and have yet to trail in the second half. San Francisco doesn't beat itself, so the Cowboys will need to play as close to a perfect game as humanly possible to come away with a win.
That's easier said than done, but you know what would help the cause? Giving two playmakers more touches on offense ... and benching one player.
3. Hunter Lupeke needs more touches
Rico Dowdle is a real question mark for Week 5 after he sustained a hip contusion in the blowout victory against the Patriots. It's the best-case scenario for the Cowboys and Dowdle, who suffered the injury to the same hip he fractured two years ago and will avoid a prolonged absence.
Dowdle didn't practice on Wednesday, so he'll need to get in at least a limited session before Saturday to have a chance of suiting up. If Dowdle is ruled out, Hunter Luepke needs to be the next man up behind starter Tony Pollard.
Luepke has limitations as a playmaker, but he's also underrated in that regard. In the final preseason game against the Raiders, he produced 118 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 20 touches (15 carries, five catches).
The North Dakota State product has the vision, power and contact balance to succeed in short-yardage situations and in the red zone (he rushed for a TD against the Patriots) and he's the second-best back on the roster behind Dowdle in terms of pass protection. That will be needed to thwart the 49ers elite four-man pass rush.
If Dowdle is out, Luepke's snap share needs to explode. Even if Dowdle is cleared, Luepke should see the field more than he has the first four games.
2. Brandin Cooks needs more targets
Cowboys fans have waited patiently for a Brandin Cooks game. It's not a great excuse, but they haven't exactly needed to take the top of of defenses. The loss to Arizona warranted more deep shots, but Dak Prescott didn't have the time for a seven-step drop with Dallas down three starters on the offensive line.
The Cowboys won their other three games in blowout fashion.
Even though he hasn't made the impact fans had hoped for, Cooks' mere presence has paid dividends for Michael Gallup, who attributed his last two blow-up games to the veteran's savyness and ability to attract defenders.
It's time to stop using Cooks as a decoy. Eight catches for 66 yards in three games isn't enough volume for a player of his caliber. Again, he hasn't really been needed, but five of his eight catches have produced first downs. He's coming up clutch for Prescott and the offense and has been close to scoring in the red zone on more than one occasion.
Cooks and Dak connected on myriad deep shots in training camp. With the Cowboys returning to California on Sunday night, it feels like the perfect time for Mike McCarthy to dial up more looks for the speedy wideout.
1. Deuce Vaughn needs fewer snaps
This brings us no joy, but it was apparent in Week 4 that Vaughn isn't meant to play against certain opponents.
Bill Belichick clearly had a plan for Vaughn whenever he entered the game, which was a lot after Dowdle was ruled out with his hip injury. The rookie running back rushed eight times for nine yards and caught one pass for two yards on two targets.
Do you expect him to have more success against a superior 49ers defense? Former defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is now coaching the Texans, but Steve Wilks has presided over almost the exact same personnel from last year.
Beyond Vaughn's touches, Belichick exposed his limitations as a blocker. He got crossed up on a stunt that led to a sack of Dak Prescott and struggled on another rep that resulted in a pressure and subsequent throw-away.
While the 49ers only rush four, they get after QBs at a high clip and having Vaughn in the backfield would make their job easier. Assuming Malik Davis is elevated from the practice squad, Vaughn should be fourth in the backfield pecking order on Sunday, behind Pollard, Luepke and Davis (or Dowdle if he's active).