One of the best rivalries in the NFL will write its next chapter when the Dallas Cowboys head to San Francisco to take on the 49ers.
Both teams are coming off poor losses and will be looking to bounce back in this prime-time showdown. Which team will right the ship and which team will continue to flounder? Who should you back at the top-rated sportsbooks to make a winning NFL pick?
NFL Pick
- 49ers/Cowboys Under 47 (-110) at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers
Sunday, October 27, 2024 – 08:20 PM ET at Levi’s Stadium
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys chose a rough week to take a bye. They’re coming off one of their worst losses in a while when they fell 47-9 to the Detroit Lions. This was the low point of the season for the Cowboys who had started with championship aspirations. A combination of injuries and poor play has dimmed the outlook for the Dallas Cowboys this season.
However, the Cowboys are 3-3 and they are not in the toughest division. They definitely have an opportunity to get back on track but they’re going to need to get big wins such as this Sunday night’s game.
To do so, the Cowboys will rely on the passing acumen of quarterback Dak Prescott. The Cowboys are also going to need more from their run game. Their rushing attack has been a disappointment this year. The two-headed monster of Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott has not been enough to keep opposing defenses off balance. The Cowboys’ offensive line play is also diminished and they are not winning the battle up front like had become their identity. With the Cowboys offensive line play weakening we’re seeing many cracks in the facade of their skill players.
The Cowboys’ defense also has taken a severe hit with injuries. Micah Parsons missed the last game and if he’s not out there, the Cowboys are not nearly the defensive juggernaut that we are accustomed to seeing. Parsons is questionable for this Sunday’s game. His presence will make a big impact for the Cowboys if he’s able to come back.
Keep an eye on this situation as we get closer to kickoff.
San Francisco 49ers
It looks like the 49ers’ consistent deep playoff runs could be finally catching up to them. They have been hit by the injury bug and are nowhere near the team that they were when they rolled into the Super Bowl last season. The defending NFC Champs are going to have to make things work until they get players back in the lineup.
One player who won’t be coming back is wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who is out for the year with an ACL tear. Aiyuk held out in the offseason for a reworked contract. One has to wonder if missing all the training camp time made him vulnerable to injury. Whether or not the injury was due to the holdout, the 49ers will miss him, and his huge salary cap impact will make it harder for the 49ers to build a strong team without him.
If it weren’t bad enough to lose Aiyuk, wide receiver Deebo Samuel is currently hospitalized with pneumonia. This seems like a tough situation for Samuel and he could miss multiple weeks recovering from the illness. An already thin 49ers skill group is even more depleted with the extended absence of Samuel.
To make matters worse, 49ers tight end George Kittle is questionable for this showdown with a foot injury. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings is also questionable. While the 49ers have been a good team for a long time, this rash of cluster injuries at the receiving position could be too much for them to overcome.
Key Matchup: Dallas Cowboys Secondary vs 49ers Wide Receivers
If the 49ers are depleted at the wide receiver position, the Dallas Cowboys secondary has the opportunity to shut them down. Even if the Cowboys are not able to get a pass rush, the Cowboys should have an opportunity for interceptions going against players who have not had the timing and continuity with 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.
The 49ers have managed to make it work in the past with injuries, but this cluster of injuries to the receivers might be too much for them to overcome. The Dallas Cowboys will need to take advantage of this if they’re going to end their three-game losing streak against San Francisco.
The Pick
With the 49ers having recent success against the Cowboys, I would like to take San Francisco here. However, the injury report is preventing me from getting involved on a side in this game, especially with the currently inflated line.
So, we will go back to the well with one of my favorite angles in the NFL, and that is a prime time under. Both teams will be looking to establish the run, and the clock should keep ticking.
This total is set high, especially for two teams that are missing multiple key players on their offense. With two teams looking to get back on track, I expect a playoff atmosphere on Sunday night and for the points to be hard-earned. The best pick for this game is the San Francisco 49ers/Dallas Cowboys under 47
NFL Pick: 49ers/Cowboys Under 47 (-110) at Bet365
*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
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