When: Sunday, 5:20 p.m.
Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.
TV: NBC
Why you don’t want to miss it: This has been an NFC grudge match for decades and it’s usually one of the better rivalries between non-division foes. The 49ers lead the all-time series by a whisker, 20-19-1. The teams have met in the playoffs nine times, with the Cowboys winning five.
Both teams are desperately searching for a win to maintain a footing in the playoff race as we approach the midseason mark. They each lost their last game and are dealing with a slew of injuries.
The Cowboys had last week off and are 24-11 in games following the bye, tied with the Bills for third-most wins after a bye since the off week was instituted in 1990.
All eyes will be on the quarterbacks, as Dak Prescott of the Cowboys continues to try to prove he’s worth the league-leading $60 million he’s making this year despite an average season to date, and Brock Purdy of the 49ers hopes to convince his bosses he’s worthy of a similar salary when they sit down to discuss an extension after the year.
Prescott, who ranks 12th in passing yards (1,602) and is tied for 15th in passing touchdowns (eight), hasn’t been pleased with his performance.
“I’d say I’ve played average, and average isn’t good enough right now by any means,” Prescott told reporters. “It’s never been good enough for me. I can’t say that I’ve been happy or excited after any of these games that I’ve played.”
Purdy, meanwhile, was intercepted three times during last week’s 28-18 loss to the Chiefs in a rematch of Super Bowl 58. He’s also having to navigate a jumbled depth chart caused by numerous injuries. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is out for the season after hurting his knee and fellow wideout Jauan Jennings is out with a hip issue.
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Meanwhile, receiver Deebo Samuel (illness) and tight end George Kittle (foot) are listed as questionable and running back Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles tendinitis) isn’t expected to make his season debut until after the bye in Week 9.
“Yeah, that’s huge,” Purdy told reporters when asked about adjusting to new pass catchers in coach Kyle Shanahan’s complex, shifting offense. “When you’ve got to some young guys that come in and you’re used to throwing to (Aiyuk), Deebo, (Jauan Jennings) and you just understand how they move in routes and their landmark and depths and just the timing of a concept and route. And then you get new guys coming in that you haven’t gotten many reps with, it is tough.”
This game could go either way, but something tells me the Cowboys might prevail.
Prediction: Cowboys, 28-26
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cowboys at 49ers is the NFL Week 8 Game of the Week
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