Cowboys vs 49ers Preview: Top NFC Teams Meet in Game of the Week

The Dallas Cowboys (3-1) visit San Francisco (4-0) in the Sunday Night game this week. The Cowboys bounced back nicely from their shocking defeat at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals. Dallas defeated New England 38-3 in a game that was never in doubt. San Francisco cruised to a 35-16 victory over those same Cardinals last week and are now at home for the third straight week. That has yet to prove to be an advantage the past few seasons, with teams playing their third consecutive home game going 6-14 against the spread since the start of the 2021 season. The Cowboys vs 49ers preview shows San Francisco -3.5 and a total of 45.

Dallas Defense Getting Job Done

While Dallas is 3-1, it has the misfortune of playing in one of the tougher NFL divisions, the NFC East. Philadelphia is in first place with a 4-0 record, so a loss could drop the Cowboys two games back. The Cowboys should be playing with a lot of intensity in this one. Dallas is averaging 31 points per game and allowing 10.3, making the 28 points allowed to Arizona more puzzling. The Cowboys have allowed 13 combined points in their other three games.

Dallas has been just average against the run, allowing 111.8 yards and 4.6 yards per carry. Teams are attempting just 24.3 rushes against the Cowboys per game. Against the pass, Dallas has been tough, allowing an average of 148 yards and 5.5 yards per pass attempt. Teams only run an average of 51.3 plays against Dallas. For comparison, the 49ers face 61.8 plays per game49ers face 61.8 plays per game for comparison.

A portion of Dallas’ defensive success must be attributed to an offense averaging nearly 35 minutes of possession per game. That’s limiting the time the opposition’s offense is on the field and running plays. Dallas is averaging 141.3 rushing yards per game and 218.8 yards through the air. The Cowboys are balanced, averaging 34.3 rushing plays and 34.8 passing plays per game.

San Francisco Running Game Carries the Team

The 49ers don’t have the most difficult NFL divisions teams to contend against, with Seattle in second place in the NFC West, followed by the Rams and Cardinals. San Francisco has a one-game lead over the second-place Seahawks and are two games up on the Rams.

Despite the controversy and turmoil surrounding the team’s quarterback, the 49ers are still a run-first team, averaging 153 yards on 33 carries per game. San Francisco attempts 28 passes per game and is averaging 245 yards. San Francisco’s 8.8 yards per pass attempt is well above the 6.9 yards its opponents allow on average.

The Cowboys vs 49ers preview notes the San Francisco rushing defense allows just 66 yards per game and 3.9 yards per rush. The 49ers have seen a lot more passes, with opponents throwing 43.8 times per game against San Francisco. Teams are averaging 5.0 yards per pass attempt against the 49ers.

What to Expect

The Cowboys must come out and show they can move the football on the ground. While the 49ers are allowing just the 66 yards, teams only run at San Francisco 17 times per game. Dallas needs to have a better-balanced offense if it’s going to compete in this game. The Cowboys use the run to set up the pass. The passing offense isn’t nearly as effective when Dallas becomes a one-dimensional team.

The 49ers are also likely going to try and establish the ground game. The Cowboys have allowed some yards on the ground, and the 4.6 yards per carry Dallas allows is worse than its opponents average. If there’s a team that continue to pound away at the Dallas defensive front, it’s San Francisco.

The Cowboys vs 49ers preview notes both teams have rushed for at least 120 yards in every game so far this season. There’s no need to venture away from something that has helped the teams combine to go 7-1 in the early going.

Who to Bet On?

The 49ers look to be the team that matches up the best against today’s opponent, but it’s hard to discard the struggles of team’s playing their third straight home game. The Cowboys are an underdog for the first time this season and can play tough, but taking Dallas requires a bit of faith in Dallas’ ability to continue its ability to control the ball. That’s probably not going to happen so easily against San Francisco.

The best bet in this game is likely going to be on the under 45. If both teams make an effort to control the ball, there should be a few more runs and teams playing at a slightly slower pace. San Francisco is going to run and the Cowboys should make a solid effort. It’s never easy betting the under when you have two teams averaging more than 30 points. But hopefully the NFL results today will see another collection of lower-scoring games with more unders than overs.

For NFL betting news, NFL scores and odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

Can’t get enough? Here’s more!

• Can Any of These NFL Week 5 Underdogs Pull Off a Shocker?
• Raiders vs Packers Odds: Monday Night Matchup a Virtual Pick ‘Em
• Jimmy Garoppolo Stats: Can Jimmy G Raise His Game?
• Eagles vs Rams Odds: So Far, So Good for Unbeaten Philadelphia
• Chiefs vs Vikings Preview: Are The Chiefs Overrated Heading Into Week 5?