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It’s an early-season test of supremacy in the NFC Sunday evening, with the Dallas Cowboys traveling to Santa Clara to meet the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners disposed of Dallas in each of the last two playoffs.
Dallas (3-1), off a 38-3 home emasculation of the New England Patriots, is out to keep pace with the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East.
San Francisco is 4-0, joining the aforementioned Eagles as the only undefeated teams in the league. It’s sitting in first place in the NFC West, favored to win the title..
These teams are ranked third (Niners 31.3 points per game) and fourth (Cowboys 31 points/game), respectively, in scoring.
San Francisco is a 3½-point favorite (total at 45), according to NFL odds.
Moneyline is Niners -185, ‘Boys at +160.
As of this writing, San Francisco is 11-2 (+550) to win the championship, while the Cowboys are fifth choice, priced at 9-1 (+900), as per Super Bowl LVIII odds.
It’s the 40th meeting between the teams, 19-19-1 (including postseason).
Cowboys’ Lone Hiccup
So, after a stunningly inept performance in a road loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the Dallas Cowboys took out their frustrations back home on the overmatched New England Patriots. With two defensive touchdowns leading the way, the ‘Boys rolled, 38-3.
Dallas surrenders 259.8 yards/game, that’s second to the Cleveland Browns in the NFL. This smothering defense, if not scoring itself, often leaves the offense with short fields.
Quarterback Dak Prescott (908 passing yards, four touchdowns, one interception) hasn’t had to win games by himself this season, Running back Tony Pollard (311 rush yards, one touchdown) is averaging more than four yards per attempt.
Back to Prescott, who’s 2-0 against San Francisco in the regular season, but 0-2 (two touchdowns, three interceptions) in the playoffs.
Dallas has controlled the action in all three of its wins this season, but hasn’t seen an opponent nearly the caliber of the Niners.
Thirtysomething by Bay
The San Francisco 49ers have scored at least 30 points in all four games to date, the latest a 35-16 beatdown of the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday. There was a ‘three-digit triple’, as in passing yards (Brock Purdy, 283), receiving yards (Brandon Aiyuk, 148) and rushing yards (Christian McCaffrey, 108, [three touchdowns]) McCaffrey (459 rush yards) has six touchdowns this season, one of many weapons in the holster.
Purdy (1,019 passing yards, five touchdowns, no interceptions) has been flawless. He was a schoolyard-esque 20-of-21 against the Cards.
San Francisco is fifth in total defense (284.3 yards/game), while surrendering just 66 rushing yards (third in league) per outing.
It’s the Niners
So, which Dak Prescott is it against the 49ers? Is it the regular-season version or the postseason one?
That’s the big question ahead of this marquee Sunday evening affair.
Regardless, Dallas needs to establish a running game to have a shot. Either that, or some points on defense.
San Francisco has exhibited no weaknesses so far this season, looking like a team impossible to beat. Playing at home is another advantage, thus the Niners find a way.
Take the San Francisco 49ers -3½ Sunday evening. Go under, too.
- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
