Oct 20, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) walks towards the line of scrimmage against the Kansas City Chiefs in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
The Dallas Cowboys come off their bye week in desperate need of a win as they travel to face a San Francisco 49ers team dealing with a litany of injuries to their skill position personnel.
One of the NFC’s oldest rivalries closes out Sunday’s action in Week 8 of the NFL regular season.
FEES AND TRENDS
The 49ers (3-4) are the consensus favorites at home by 5.0 points. That includes BetRivers, where the 49ers have drawn 64 percent of the spread line money, while the Cowboys (3-3) have been backed by 53 percent of total bets.
Dallas’ +180 moneyline has been popular, drawing 61 percent of the money, although the 49ers have taken 46 percent of total bets at -225.
The Over/Under total points line has been around 47.5 and 48.0 at most sportsbooks. At BetRivers, the Under has been backed by big bets with 82 percent of the total money, although 70 percent of the total bets have supported the Over.
HISTORY OF THE SERIES
San Francisco has won the last three matchups, including playoff victories to close out Dallas’ 2021 and 2022 seasons. Last season’s matchup was one-sided, as the 49ers routed the Cowboys 42-10 thanks to four touchdown passes from Brock Purdy and three from George Kittle.
That beating might not have been as bad as the one Dallas (3-3) just suffered: a 47-9 loss to the Detroit Lions before the team’s much-needed rest.
THE NEWS
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had a message for his teammates before everyone took time off for last week’s bye.
“Look in the mirror. Go watch these six games during the bye week. Take a few days off. Reset. And be ready when we get back in that building to refocus and do everything you can to help this team.” Prescott told reporters. “And everyone has a role, whatever it is. Make sure you understand what it is, and if it’s bigger than it was a few weeks ago, if it’s smaller, whatever it is, find a way to be the best at it.
“There are eleven games left. We’re going to take it one at a time. Next up is San Francisco, so as we look at these six games, we can get a head start on a couple of them and be ready, like I said, to refocus afterward.” of this restart”.
Prescott has thrown for 1,602 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions entering the latest matchup with the 49ers.
Jordan Mason (shoulder) has been excellent filling in for the injured Christian McCaffrey and ranks second in the NFL with 667 rushing yards.
Purdy has thrown for 1,841 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions for the 49ers.
San Francisco star linebacker Fred Warner has heard the criticism that the 49ers are a team in trouble and isn’t interested in the rhetoric.
“You can hear what people in the outside world say about you,” Warner said. “You can write stories about us not being good enough and stuff like that. For us, it’s just about continuing to focus on what we do.”
INJURY REPORT
What the Cowboys could really use is seeing star linebacker Micah Parsons (ankle) and cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) on the field. But both will be out again Sunday night, and Bland’s replacement in the starting lineup in 2024, Caelen Carson, is in doubt due to a shoulder injury.
Parsons will miss his third straight game. Bland has not yet played this season.
Cowboys starting linebacker Eric Kendricks (shoulder) is also listed as questionable.
The 49ers are battling a number of injuries and lost star receiver Brandon Aiyuk to a season-ending right knee injury during last Sunday’s 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (pneumonia/wrist) played only a few snaps and was then hospitalized and released Tuesday. Although he did not participate in Wednesday’s practice, San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said Samuel could play but is listed as questionable, the same designation the 49ers gave Kittle (foot).
Receiver Jauan Jennings (hip/groin) missed the Kansas City game, was unable to practice all week and is out along with kicker Jake Moody (ankle).
Of course, McCaffrey (Achilles) remains on injured reserve and hasn’t played a single game this season.
THEY SAID IT
–“I think we have to start these games and say: ‘We have to step on someone’s neck.’ They are simple things: be disciplined, we can’t kill each other on trips to the red zone, we can’t kill each other on third chances.” –Parsons
–“The guys that are on the team are really talented, so we have to find out. It’s up to our veterans to help them, whether they’re ready or not… (Injuries) affect you to a certain extent, but you have to have the three-foot mentality and just attack what’s in front of you.” –Kittle
PREDICTION
The Cowboys’ three wins have been on the road, although the first two were against Cleveland and the New York Giants. Dallas also picked up a solid win in Pittsburgh before being defeated at home by Detroit. The 49ers come into the game with a concerning number of injuries to their key personnel, but this is an equally critical game for San Francisco and Dallas simply hasn’t played well against quality teams. –49ers 26, Cowboys 23
–Field level media
