THE PARTICULARS

• Time: 10 a.m.

• The line: Cowboys by 9 1/2.

• Records: 49ers 3-7; Cowboys 6-4.

• TV: Ch. 40. Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (color), Pam Oliver, (sideline).

• Radio: KFBK (1530 AM), KNBR (680 AM). Joe Starkey (play-by-play), Gary Plummer (color).

• Why watch: Two of the most important figures for the 49ers – the starting quarterback and head coach – essentially are auditioning for their jobs. Both got rave reviews last week. Can they continue their success in Big D?

• Rewind: Tim Rattay was the 49ers' quarterback when they rolled out to a 31-19 lead at the start of the fourth quarter early in the 2005 season. But the Cowboys rattled off 15 unanswered points on their way to a 34-31 win.

49ERS THREE KEYS

• The 49ers have allowed just two sacks in the past two games, and they no longer lead the league in sacks allowed. Credit quarterback Shaun Hill, who has been getting rid of the ball quickly, for a lot of the improvement.

• Wide receivers Josh Morgan and Bryant Johnson have played a game of "musical injuries." Morgan got his chance because of Johnson's hamstring injury. Now Johnson is back in the starting lineup because of Morgan's groin injury.

• Frank Gore ranks third in the league in combined yards (rushing and receiving) from scrimmage. Still, the 49ers running back has had 20 or more carries only twice all season.

COWBOYS THREE KEYS

• Quarterback Tony Romo admitted his still-mending little finger affected the velocity of some of his passes last week against Washington. But he says his zip returned this week in practice.

• Marion Barber seems to be just the type of big, physical rusher that has given the 49ers' defense fits this season. Barber also has figured into the passing game. He has had at least six catches in three of the last five games.

• Bad injury news this week: The team learned it would be without rookie running back Felix Jones (hamstring) and receiver Miles Austin (knee) for the rest of the season.

MATCHUP TO WATCH

49ers center Eric Heitmann vs. Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff

49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz says Ratliff is the best pass rusher from the nose-tackle position he's ever seen. The statistics back up that claim. Ratliff has six sacks on the season – more than any 49er – and leads the Cowboys' defensive linemen in tackles. On the other side of the line is Heitmann, one of the 49ers' three team captains. The center, a native of Katy, Texas, is having one of the best seasons of his career.

WHO'S THE MAN?

Shaun Hill

49ERS QUARTERBACK

Hill is coming off his best game ever, one in which he pitched a perfect game in the decisive first half. This week, however, he faces a talented and motivated team in the Cowboys. DeMarcus Ware and Jay Ratliff have 17 sacks between them.

INJURY REPORT

49ers

Out: S Dashon Goldson (knee), WR Arnaz Battle (foot), WR Josh Morgan (groin). Probable: T Barry Sims (foot), TE Delanie Walker (elbow), S Mark Roman (groin), LB Patrick Willis (illness), RB Michael Robinson (shoulder).

Cowboys

Out: WR Miles Austin (knee), RB Felix Jones (hamstring). Questionable: CB Terence Newman (groin), LB Justin Rogers (back). Probable: QB Tony Romo (right little finger), LB Bobby Carpenter (groin), WR Isaiah Stanback (shoulder), TE Jason Witten (ribs).

49ERS STATISTICS

PASSING

Player Att. Comp. Yards TDs Int.

J.T. O'Sullivan 220 128 1,678 8 11

Shaun Hill 83 49 603 5 2

RUSHING

Player Att. Yards TDs Avg.

Frank Gore 177 834 6 4.7

RECEIVING

Player Rec. Yards TDs Avg.

Frank Gore 35 325 1 9.3

Isaac Bruce 26 433 4 16.7

Arnaz Battle 24 318 0 13.3

COWBOYS STATISTICS

PASSING

Player Att. Comp. Yards TDs Int.

Tony Romo 227 147 1,887 15 7

RUSHING

Player Att. Yards TDs Avg.

Marion Barber 196 779 6 4.0

RECEIVING

Player Rec. Yards TDs Avg.

Jason Witten 48 583 2 12.1

Terrell Owens 40 505 6 12.6

49ERS SCHEDULE

Sept. 7 Arizona L, 23-13

Sept. 14 at Seattle W, 33-30(OT)

Sept. 21 Detroit W, 31-13

Sept. 28 at New Orleans L, 31-17

Oct. 5 New England L, 30-21

Oct. 12 Philadelphia L, 40-26

Oct. 19 at N.Y.Giants L, 29-17

Oct. 26 Seattle L, 34-13

Nov. 2 BYE

Nov. 10 at Arizona L, 29-24

Nov. 16 St. Louis W, 35-16

Today at Dallas 10 a.m.

Nov. 30 at Buffalo 10 a.m.

Dec. 7 N.Y. Jets 1:05 p.m.

Dec. 14 at Miami 10 a.m.

Dec. 21 at St. Louis 10 a.m.

Dec. 28 Washington 1:15 p.m.