Cowboys vs 49ers: Preview and Predictions
By Reid Hanson
The Dallas Cowboys are off the bye and on a mission. Here’s what to expect today against the 49ers in Week 7.
Winless teams are inherently poor but that doesn’t mean the Dallas Cowboys can just coast to victory today against the 0-6 San Francisco 49ers. The Cowboys have yet to run on all cylinders this season and are far from the juggernaut we once thought they were.
San Fran has lost five games by a combined 13 points meaning they’ve been on the wrong end of a whole lotta close calls this season. It won’t be long before those close calls land in their favor.
With all of that said, the Cowboys offense has been strong and should put up more points than the 49ers rookie-QB-led offense can put up. The San Fran defense is strong so it will be an excellent test for the Cowboys to get their running game back on track.
Here are some staff predictions:
Reid Hanson
The 49ers will lean heavily on running back Carlos Hyde and the running game. With a rookie under center, they’d prefer to ask as little as possible of their quarterback today. This means if the Cowboys can stop the run — they stop the 49ers.
Sean Lee will help significantly but Dallas needs their defensive line to step up as well. Solving the issue at the 1-technique could be harder than people think. Both David Irvin and Maliek Collins rate terrible against the run.
I expect the Cowboys run defense to give up 100 yards rushing but the 49ers deficiencies at QB will prevent them from competing. The Cowboys will roll on offense and cruise to an easy victory in the end
Cowboys: 30 49ers: 16
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Dan Ruppert
Here we are in week 7 and this game feels like a do or die situation for Dallas. If this team is going to be in the playoffs this season, this game is the start of the push. If they come out flat after a bye week, odds are this team will not make the playoffs.
That all being said, the Cowboys are just about 100% healthy coming into this game. Getting their starting linebackers back will make this defense vastly better against the run than it has been. I do think they will be looking to make a statement on defense.
The offense has been really strong and Ezekiel Elliott playing only helps in thinking Dallas will be able to put up 30 points again (maybe 40). I also think this could be a strong game for Dez as well.
I expect the Dallas Cowboys to win this game going away. With one caveat, C.J. Beathard will surprise some people.
Cowboys: 38 49ers: 20
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Dink Kearney
The Dallas Cowboys will face a scary 0-6 San Franciso 49ers team that has lost several games by 2 points. This team could easily be 4-2. And that’s why the Cowboys will be in for a tough fight against the 49ers. This game will not be a cakewalk, regardless if rookie C.J. Beathard will be under center for the 49ers.
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Dallas will use this game to get back in momentum and rely on its running game to slowly beat the the 49ers.
Ezekiel Elliott will rush for over 100 yards against the 49ers defense and Dak Prescott will ulitilze play action pass to perfection while throwing for three touchdowns.
Zeke will score a touchdown, while Dez Bryant, Cole Beasley and Brice Butler be major contributors in the passing game.
The Cowboys defense will harass Beathard into throwing a few interceptions, record a few sacks and create a enough pressure with its front four.
Expect Dallas to get back on track after its bye week, addressing its defensive needs while playing to its strength, the running game.
Next: Time for the Cowboys to make a trade
Cowboys win and a contested game.
Cowboys: 35 49ers: 24