STORY LINE: A week ago, the 49ers walloped the St. Louis Rams 35-16, to which a cynic might respond: So what? In three victories this season, the 49ers proved only that they were not as wretched as Seattle (2-8), Detroit (0-10) or St. Louis (2-8). The Cowboys, however, represent a different test. "Talent, talent. Wall-to-wall talent. They've got talent across the board everywhere you look," 49ers coach Mike Singletary said. "Very talented Football team, that's what jumps out at you right away." Beating a quality opponent would go a long way in helping Singletary remove the "interim" part of his head coaching title. But it's a tall order, as his predecessors would attest. Mike Nolan and Dennis Erickson combined for just three victories on the road against teams with winning records. Erickson won at Philadelphia in 2003. Nolan won at Seattle and Denver in back-to-back games in 2006. And that's it. On Sunday, the 49ers run headlong into the Cowboys' wall-to-wall talent. Linebacker DeMarcus Ware is tied for third in the NFL with 11.0 sacks. He is just the fourth Cowboys player to record 10 sacks in at least three consecutive seasons, joining George Andrie (1964-67), Jethro Pugh (1968-71) and Randy White (1983-85). "Ware is extremely fast coming off the edge," center Eric Heitmann said. "It's a big challenge. We have to step up."

WHAT'S WORTH WATCHING

49ers RG Chilo Rachal: The rookie gets his first career start against a Dallas defense that has 29 sacks, fifth best in the NFL. Rachal is still raw, but the 49ers like his tenacity and high upside.

Cowboys NT Jay Ratliff: The 302-pounder has the brute strength to split double teams and shut down the running game. He also has six sacks. "He's the best pass rusher at that position I've seen," offensive coordinator Mike Martz said.

Daniel Brown, MediaNews staff