Cowboys vs. 49ers: 2023 NFL NFC Divisional Round Odds, Picks & Predictions (Sunday)
The Dallas Cowboys don’t need to be warned that this is the wrong week to have offensive line problems.
However, the Cowboys (13-5) front line’s health is up in the air as the week carries on, as they get ready to face the San Francisco 49ers (14-4) in an NFC Divisional playoff game on Sunday in Santa Clara, California.
Will it be too much to overcome? Let’s take a closer look.
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Check out our NFL Divisional Round Betting Guide >>
NFL NFC Divisional Round Best Bets: Cowboys vs. 49ers (Sunday)
Details
- Opening Line: 49ers -3.5 | O/U 45.5
- Current Line: 49ers +3 | O/U 46.5
- Last meeting: January 16, 2022 – 49ers 23, Cowboys 17
Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers
Overview
Prior to being forced to leave the playoff game at Dallas last January due to a concussion, Bosa described the Dallas offensive line as “absolutely beatable.â€
But as the captain of San Francisco’s top-ranked defense, he has earned respect. His Defensive Player of the Year credentials included 18.5 of the team’s 44 sacks, while the secondary enjoyed the benefits with 20 interceptions (tied for the league lead with Pittsburgh Steelers).
For the Cowboys, keeping quarterback Dak Prescott safe is their first responsibility. With 15 interceptions this season, tied for the most in the NFL during the regular season, Prescott has a history of making mistakes while rattled.
In San Francisco’s wild-card victory at Dallas last playoffs, the Cowboys totaled 307 total yards on 70 plays, and the 49ers had five sacks. The clock ran out as Prescott was driving for the game-winning touchdown with a six-point deficit.
San Francisco’s run defense was the best in the NFL in 2022, allowing only 77.7 rushing yards per game, the second-fewest in the league. Prescott will likely face pressure from the 49ers to make throws in small windows in order to advance the chains. This increases the burden on Dallas’ front five once more.
McGovern had to fill in at guard in Dallas’ 31-14 victory over Tampa Bay on Monday night because left tackle Jason Peters had to leave the game due to a hip injury. To make up for this, the Cowboys completely rearranged the line, inserting youngster Tyler Smith at left tackle, moving McGovern from fullback to left guard, and leaving Tyron Smith at right tackle in his usual position.
Brock Purdy, the 49ers’ third starting quarterback this year, will make his first start against the Cowboys in this one. The seventh-round pick beat the Seahawks last week by dumping a season-high 41 points on them while completing passes to seven different receivers and throwing three touchdown passes.
Bottom Line
To prevent Christian McCaffrey, a late-trade acquisition, and wide receiver Deebo Samuel from making big plays, Dallas will need to play nearly flawlessly. Beating up on the Buccaneers on Monday night hasn’t quite proven to me they can do that.
Pick: 49ers -3.5 (-108)
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