SANTA CLARA — A loss Sunday to the Dallas Cowboys would dump the 49ers’ record to 0-7, matching their franchise-worst start in 1979 under first-year coach Bill Walsh. Can Kyle Shanahan, in his first year, follow Walsh’s lead and still trigger a franchise turnaround?

One expert who thinks so is Tony Dungy, a cornerback on the 1979 team before becoming a Super Bowl-winning coach himself and now an NBC Sports analyst.

“They realize they are hanging in there and it’s about to turn,” Dungy said this week in a phone interview.

The 49ers have lost a NFL-record five consecutive games by three points or fewer. CEO Jed York expressed Thursday “great belief” in Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.

“We want to get our team back to championship-caliber level and I think that’s the trajectory we’re on,” York said. “I know the results might not show it but the feeling you get around this building and the feeling you get talking to our players and coaches, we’re much closer than what our record would suggest.

Recalling the dreadful start in 1979, Dungy noted how Walsh stuck with his plan and advised Shanahan to do the same.

“The biggest thing in what Coach Walsh did so well, as I remember, 1979, was getting us as players to continue to buy into his beliefs and his philosophy. He didn’t change,” Dungy said. “This is what we’re going to do; it’s going to work.”

Of course, it worked better once Joe Montana took over as quarterback with a better supporting cast. Dungy, by the way, retired after that 1979 season. Like our San Francisco 49ers Facebook page for more 49ers news, commentary and conversation.

“Even though we were a 2-14 team, everybody there had faith in the system,” Dungy added. “And that’s what these young coaches, whether you’re winning or losing, that’s what you’ve got to show your team. You’re changing the culture and you’ve got to have them believe in what you’re doing.

“I see that with the 49ers in what they do, and the future is very bright for them.”

The 49ers have lost 35 of their past 43 games, including the past three Sundays on the road at Arizona, Indianapolis and Washington.

Shanahan is doing “pretty well,” said Dungy, who compared this start to his 1996 arrival as Tampa Bay’s coach, when he had Lynch as an up-and-coming safety. Those Bucs opened 0-5 but had four-point losses mingle with blowouts, to which Dungy said: “These (49ers) losses are closer and they’re more competitive.” For complete 49ers coverage follow us on Flipboard.

York is among those wondering how the 49ers can “make that last push” to pull out a close game, figuring this is a sign of a “very young team” coping with “historic turnover.”

“We haven’t won enough games the past few years,” York said. “But our fans have been fantastic in supporting John, Kyle, this existing team and knowing we’re building this for the future.”

— Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is excited to take on the Cowboys’ highly accomplished line, which was without injured starters Tyron Smith and La’el Collins in last year’s meeting.

“People are looking at me as one of the top interior defensive linemen, and I love going against a challenge,” Buckner said. “Everybody talks about how good Dallas’ O-line is and being able to take on that challenge is going to be a lot of fun this Sunday.”

Buckner will be without sidekick Arik Armstead (fractured hand, injured reserve) so rookie Solomon Thomas should see more time as an edge rusher. Thomas, also, is excited to test himself against Dallas, saying: “It’s going to be an honor to go against them and it will be a fun matchup.”

— Reuben Foster (ankle) is on track to return from a season-opening ankle injury, although he’s officially listed as questionable with fellow linebackers Ray-Ray Armstrong (shoulder), Brock Coyle (shoulder) and Dekoda Watson (groin).

“He’s not 100 percent ready to go but I feel very optimistic, as long as there aren’t any setbacks over the next 48 hours,” Shanahan said.

— Wide receiver Pierre Garçon said he will appeal the $24,309 fine he received for unnecessary roughness on a helmet-to-helmet hit with safety Montae Nicholson. As for the pass interference penalty officials called on Garçon, Shanahan would not comment other than to say the league sent an explanatory text message to Lynch. The gist of that text message: the league made a mistake, a source said. Related Articles 49ers report card: How a 31-13 rout can redirect their season

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— Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has prepared all along to face Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, whose suspension is on hold. Saleh and defensive players are wary of Elliott’s downhill, physical style and how challenging that is behind a premier line.

“I feel like we’re pretty good against the run, too,” Saleh said.

The 49ers are allowing 112.8 rushing yards per game (18th in the league).

“We know if we can stop the run, that will give us an opportunity to get after that good quarterback they have,” said nose guard Earl Mitchell, referring to Dallas’ Dak Prescott.