Cowboys vs. 49ers Preview and Prediction: Different Year, Same Story?

This matchup is fascinating to me. On the one hand, we have the model of NFL consistency in the San Francisco 49ers. Whether it’s Jimmy Garoppolo or Brock Purdy, it doesn’t really seem to matter; the 49ers’ offense keeps on producing. But, on the other hand, defensively, good luck finding a more physical unit than San Francisco’s – ask the Seahawks.

On the other hand, good luck predicting which version of Dak and the Cowboys we’ll see. In some games we get to see the MVP-caliber version that lights up the Bucs and in other games, we get the guy that was one INT shy of the league lead.

If we get the good version of the Cowboys, this Divisional Round rematch could be an instant classic. So let’s just hope for that.

What Time is the Cowboys vs. 49ers Game?

  • Date: Sunday, January 23, 2023
  • Time: 5:30 PM CT
  • Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Ca.
  • Who is Favored to Win the Cowboys vs 49ers Game?

  • DraftKings Betting Line: 49ers -4
  • Over-Under: 46.5
  • How to Watch the Chiefs vs. Jaguars Game

  • TV: FOX Kevin Burkhardt (Play-by-Play), Greg Olsen (Color Analyst), Erin Andrews (Sideline Reporter) and Tom Rinaldi (Sideline Reporter)
  • Streaming: FOX Sports App (Kevin Burkhardt (Play-by-Play), Greg Olsen (Color Analyst), Erin Andrews (Sideline Reporter) and Tom Rinaldi (Sideline Reporter)
  • Cowboys Path to Victory

    This one seems pretty straightforward, honestly. But, two things will need to happen for the Cowboys to pull off the upset win.

    First, as I mentioned above, we will need to see the excellent version of Dak. When Dak Prescott is on, he’s as good as anyone. We saw it at times this season and, most recently, last Monday night against the Bucs. Dak can make any throw and has a really talented cast of playmakers. I know it sounds simple, but it really is. If we get the excellent Dak, the Cowboys can absolutely win.

    Second, they need to get after Brock Purdy as they did Tom Brady last week. Purdy has played lights out since taking over as the 49ers starter. He’s 6-0 since becoming the guy in San Francisco, but he really hasn’t faced a test as tough as Dallas’ pass rush. If Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence can make Purdy uncomfortable early and often, the Cowboys’ path opens up quite a bit. Here’s an example of how they did that to Tom Brady.

    So, in short, get after Purdy, and the Cowboys are in business.

    49ers Path to Victory

    Run the ball, run the ball, and run the ball. No one runs the football quite like the San Francisco 49ers. They can beat you in so many different ways on the ground with so many different schemes, and the midseason addition of Christian McCaffrey makes it almost unfair. Let’s look at one example from last week’s dominant win over Seattle.

    If the 49ers can run the football efficiently, so much pressure gets taken off Brock Purdy’s shoulders. And that’s part of the reason he’s been so good since taking over – San Francisco hasn’t needed him to be great.

    Defensively, we also know what we’ll get from San Francisco. They allowed the second-least rush yards as a team this season and tied for the lowest opponent yards per carry. So if they win the battle in the trenches, they’ll likely win this game.

    Prediction

    Last year’s matchup in Dallas came down to the wire. Both teams this season feel like improved versions of the ones we saw last year. Like most playoff games, this one will come down to QB play and the battle in the trenches.

    Final Score: 49ers 34, Cowboys 28

    written by

    Matt is from the Chicagoland area and has been working in Chicago sports since 2015 with stops at WGN Radio, the Chicago Blackhawks, Stadium, and NBC Sports Chicago prior to landing at Betsperts. Matt covers just about everything for Betsperts and Bleacher Nation but focuses on the NHL and college football.

    more nfl news

    Prioritizing the Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft: Top 5 Positions to Address

    The Seattle Seahawks overachieved in 2023 by all accounts and missed out on a playoff spot by just one game. They’ve since said farewell to legendary coach Pete Carroll and welcomed in a new regime led by Mike MacDonald. Seattle...

    Buffalo Bills 1st Round Mock Draft: Wild Crossroads at 28 – Offense or Defense?

    The Buffalo Bills stand at a crossroads. The 2024 NFL Draft looms, and the 28th pick presents a fascinating dilemma. This Buffalo Bills 1st Round Mock Draft analyzes 10 different options that could be available to them at their current...

    Las Vegas Raiders Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

    The Las Vegas Raiders have injected a wave of optimism into Raider Nation with their offseason maneuvers. General Manager Tom Telesco has been busy addressing key needs while setting the stage for potential further improvements. Las Vegas Raiders Offseason Recap...

    Los Angeles Chargers Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

    The Los Angeles Chargers enter the offseason with a new era dawning. After a disappointing season, they landed a marquee hire in Jim Harbaugh, fresh off his national championship win with Michigan. Hailed as the top coaching prospect, Harbaugh brings a...

    Seattle Seahawks Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

    The Seattle Seahawks turn the page on a historic era as they enter the 2024 season without Pete Carroll at the helm for the first time since 2010. Carroll's impact on the franchise is undeniable, crafting a period of sustained...

    Prioritizing the Los Angeles Chargers NFL Draft: Top 5 Positions to Address

    The Los Angeles Chargers’ 2023 didn’t go as planned and as a result, they fired head coach Brandon Staley with just 3 games remaining. However, they landed the offseason's most coveted NFL coaching candidate Jim Harbaugh, and have begun the...

    Prioritizing the Los Angeles Rams NFL Draft: Top 5 Positions to Address

    The Los Angeles Rams ended the 2023 season as hot as any team in the NFL. They won 7 of their last 8 games to sneak into the playoffs and almost pulled off a first-round upset of the Detroit Lions....

    Connor Allen’s NFL Mock Draft 2.0: J.J. McCarthy’s Draft Stock Continues to Skyrocket

    The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us, a time filled with anticipation, speculation, and hopeful declarations of a team's newfound future. This 2024 NFL Mock Draft focuses on accuracy over player evaluations. With the free agency frenzy settled war room...

    San Francisco 49ers Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

    The San Francisco 49ers return to the drawing board after their heartbreaking Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite the sting of defeat, the future remains bright. Brock Purdy's emergence as a legitimate MVP candidate and the return...

    Prioritizing the Arizona Cardinals NFL Draft: Top 5 Positions to Address

    The Arizona Cardinals finished 2023 tied with the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots for the 2nd worst record in the NFL at 4-13. It was just the first year under head coach Jonathan Gannon however, and they did show...

    Latest News

    Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

    NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

    Braves vs. Phillies: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Ronald Acuna Jr. and the Atlanta Braves take on Kyle Schwarber and the Philadelphia Phillies in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 3:05 PM ET.See how to watch the Atlanta-Philadelphia matchup below.When is Braves vs. Phillies and...

    Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The New Orleans Pelicans face the Milwaukee Bucks at 8:00 PM ET on Thursday, and one of the 3-pointer props available for this matchup requires only one trifecta from Jonas Valančiūnas.Jonas Valančiūnas' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the BucksJonas Valanciunas' over/under...

    Top 25 College Basketball Picks and Best Bets: March 28

    The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa State Cyclones hit the court in one of four games on the college basketball slate on Thursday that include a ranked team.How to Bet on Top 25 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Top 25 Games for...

    What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

    You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

    Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Arizona Diamondbacks start their season as home favorites (-230) in a matchup with the Colorado Rockies on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on ARID from Chase Field.Zac Gallen will get the ball for Arizona while Colorado will counter...

    Mariners vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Seattle Mariners are moneyline favorites (-154) to begin their season with a home win over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on NESN.Seattle's Luis Castillo gets the start, and he'll go against Boston's Brayan...

    Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Cleveland Guardians start their season as road favorites (-156) in a matchup with the Oakland Athletics on Thursday at 10:07 PM ET, live on NBCS-CA from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.Cleveland's Shane Bieber and Oakland's Alex Wood have been named the...

    Damian Lillard Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Milwaukee Bucks face the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET, and if the Bucks' Damian Lillard drains four 3-pointers, he'll beat his over/under.Damian Lillard's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansDamian Lillard's over/under for three-pointers in this...

    Brook Lopez Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Milwaukee Bucks face the New Orleans Pelicans at 8:00 PM ET on Thursday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this matchup requires two trifectas from Brook Lopez.Brook Lopez's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansBrook Lopez's over/under for...

    more nfl news