The Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers would like do-overs on their starts to the 2024 NFL season.
To some extent, they do get a chance to change a narrative as the two old rivals square off on prime time on Sunday Night Football.
Dallas has had a week off to recover from its thrashing by NFC favorite Detroit, while San Francisco is coming off a competitive loss to AFC favorite Kansas City.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (center right) embrace after their game at Levi’s Stadium on Oct 8, 2023.
While 3-3 Dallas has a marginally better record than 3-4 San Francisco, the 49ers are 4-point favorites, generally considered more than home-field advantage. The over-under for the game is 46 1/2.
How Cowboys vs 49ers match up
Cowboys pass offense vs. 49ers pass defense
Cowboys 2nd (259.3 yards per game) vs. 49ers 15th (205.1)
Cowboys rush offense vs. 49ers rush defense
Cowboys 32st (77.2.0) vs. 49ers 12th (112.9)
Cowboys rush defense vs. 49ers rush offense
Cowboys 27th (143.2) vs. 49ers 7th (149.9)
Cowboys pass defense vs. 49ers pass offense
Cowboys 18th (213.3) vs. 49ers 4th (254.4)
Dak Prescott, quarterback
Prescott is fourth in the league in passing yards per game, but he clearly has been forcing the ball, feeling Dallas needs to be in shootouts to have a chance. He has six interceptions against eight touchdown passes, and that needs to change.
Rico Dowdle, running back
This isn’t a list of best players, just key ones. The Cowboys are last in the NFL in rushing yards per game and has looked incompetent whether it’s Ezekiel Elliott or Rico Dowdle. Improvement here would help the entire offense.
Daron Bland, cornerback
Last year’s NFL interception leader could make his season debut. He’s off the injured list and ready to return, though his status is questionable.
Brock Purdy, quarterback
Like Prescott, Purdy struggled early this season but is seventh in passing yards per game. His nine touchdowns against seven interceptions are the obvious areas for progression.
Jordan Mason, running back
The third-year pro is officially questionable, but if he can go, he’ll be a difference-maker. The third-year pro is second in the league in total rushing yards.
Deebo Samuel, wide receiver
Yet another questionable player, he only played three plays in the loss to Kansas City before ending up with pneumonia-like symptoms. He hasn’t had a breakout yet this year, but if he plays, that’s always a possibility.
Dallas Cowboys injury report
Edge rusher Michael Parsons (ankle) and cornerback Daron Bland (ankle) are questionable as they look to return from injuries that have kept them out. Bland has yet to play this year. Neither has practiced yet this week and they are gametime decisions. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence is out with a foot injury.
San Francisco 49ers injury report
Receiver Jauan Jennings (hip) and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) are out. Cornerback Darrell Luter Jr., receiver Ricky Pearsall (chest) and defensive lineman Kevin Givens (groin) are questionable, as is tight end George Kittle (foot). Deebo Samuel (illness) will be a game-time decision.
Dallas Cowboys vs San Francisco 49ers predictions, picks, odds
The El Paso Times Cowboys 23, 49ers 20
Bret Bloomquist writes: “Dallas is one of the most unpredictable teams in the NFL so far this season. This seems like a week where they get some things fixed.”
Bookies.com: Bet the 49ers to cover vs Cowboys
Bill Speros writes: “Will Bill Belichick be coaching the Cowboys this week? Someone needs to ask Jerry Jones about his coach just 2 or 3 more times before we get a complete on-air breakdown. It’s hard to imagine the bye helping Dallas given their perilous state. With Halloween coming up, perhaps the Cowboys will come dressed as a fully functional pro football team.”
Sports Betting Dime: 49ers 32.4, Cowboys 16.4
The site’s formula predicts that the 49ers will win the NFL Week 8 game against the Cowboys. This site also picked Dallas to beat Detroit, so beware.
ESPN: 49ers have a 66.5% chance to beat Cowboys on Sunday Night Football
The site gives the Cowboys a 33.2% shot at winning the NFL Week 8 game, with a 0.3% chance of a tie.
Dimers: 49ers 26, Cowboys 21
It writes: “After extensive simulations, our model gives the Cowboys a win probability of 33%, while the 49ers have a win probability of 67%.”
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at [email protected]; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Cowboys vs 49ers: Predictions, injury report on Sunday Night Football
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