Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones explains why he doesn't consider 49ers a top rival

The 49ers ended the Cowboys season the past two Januarys. And Super Bowls have been on the line in previous meetings between the two teams dating back for 40-plus years.

San Francisco against Dallas has everything a top NFL rivalry could desire. There’s lots of passion, respect and history. Anybody remember “The Catch”? The games usually are played for significant stakes. Yet Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says no, the 49ers aren’t his team’s biggest rival.

“I think our division games are those types of rivalries,” Jones said Friday in an interview with KRLD-FM in Dallas. “We know we meet that maker twice a year and we got to get them done.”

Jones added: “But make no mistake about it, the (contest against the) 49ers is an important game to be tried because of their statute. They are just probably playing the very best right now in the NFL. It’s very easy to put this game in perspective because we’ve got two more games that we’ve got to play against Philadelphia as we look to the season. Those are going to be real evaluators. Those are in the division. (And) those are games that will tell us where we are as well.”

So for context, Jones is talking about the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys aren’t playing them for another month. However, Dallas and San Fran meet Sunday night at Levi Stadium. San Francisco is 4-0, while Dallas is 3-1. Early October games usually don’t impact January playoff placement. There are too many games yet to be played.

49ers game will give Cowboys good measuring stick

But rivalry or not, Dallas can get a better idea where they stand in the NFL pecking order. The Cowboys’ first four opponents have won a combined four games. The 49ers probably are the best team in the NFC, as of this week. The Eagles, the defending NFC champions, also are undefeated. But they’ve struggled some against weaker opponents.

If Dak Prescott can exorcise his 49ers demons, he’ll receive an extra dose of confidence to help him contend with the rest of the season. That’s the same for the Dallas defense. Christian McCaffrey leads the NFL in rushing with 459 yards. And with 600, he’s also tops in the league in all-purpose yards. Brock Purdy also tops the league’s passer ratings.

“Obviously, I really think a lot of the players that we have on this football team, we think, give us a great opportunity to compete for a championship this year,” Cowboys VP Stephen Jones said in the KRLD interview.

“I like the makeup of the guys, like their football character, like the way they play the game, like their skill set,” Stephen Jones said. “But at the same time, we have nothing but respect for what 49ers’ organization, John Lynch, coach (Kyle) Shanahan and the roster they put together.”

He added: “Everybody has opinions on whose roster may be better. Best way to find that out is the play each other.”

It kind of sounds like rivalry talk, doesn’t it?