NFL 2024/25: San Francisco 49ers – Dallas Cowboys
Looking at the start of the 2024 NFL season, the Cowboys are certainly one of the big disappointments. The Dallas franchise is just 3-3 after the first six games.
That is only enough for third place in the NFC East behind the Commanders (5-2) and the Eagles (4-2). And in the conference, they would also miss the playoffs with this yield in 10th place.
“America’s Team” is now coming out of the bye week and is out for redemption. However, they are guests of nemesis San Francisco on Sunday evening. The odds don’t give “Big D” at Levi’s Stadium much credit either.
The guests have one thing to hope for: the home side from San Francisco have not yet had a bye week and are even worse off with a record of 3-4. Nevertheless, the odds for the 49ers vs Cowboys forecast are quite clearly on the side of the home side.
The best bookmakers, among whom an increasing number of sports betting deposits are possible with Apple Pay, are offering odds between 1.42 and 1.50 for a home win by the 49ers against the Cowboys.
On the other hand, you get 49ers Cowboys betting odds between 2.65 and 2.80 for a win by the Texas guests. The direct comparison supports the bookies’ view.
The last three duels between the two teams all went to the Niners. SF is also ahead in the overall balance with 20-19-1. In California, the home side also has a narrow lead (11-10).
The 49ers are currently plagued by injuries. Before Sunday’s Super Bowl rematch against the Chiefs, coach Kyle Shanahan had to do without players such as LB Dre Greenlaw, RB Christian McCaffrey, S Talanoa Hufanga, DT Javon Hargrave and WR Jauan Jennings.
During the course of the game, the two wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel were also lost to injury. In addition, as in the previous Super Bowl, QB Brock Purdy had major problems against KC’s man coverage.
The former “Mr. Irrelevant” is used to throwing the ball with predictable timing into open windows. When he is forced to fit into tight coverage under pressure, he struggles.
The playmaker went without a touchdown in Week 7 and even threw three interceptions. San Francisco lost 18-28 to Kansas City.
That makes it 0-5 against the Chiefs under Shanahan. Even after their last Super Bowl appearance, SF had major injury problems in 2020 and only finished the year with 6-10.
San Francisco can’t beat a real contender with so many injuries at the moment. It is still unclear who will return from the hospital on Sunday. Deebo Samuel and George Kittle were able to train to a limited extent.
The same applies to Nick Bosa and Jordan Mason. Running back Mason, in particular, is important for the team. The RB has stepped into the breach in the absence of Christian McCaffrey.
Currently, only Derrick Henry (Ravens) has more yards (873) than Mason (667). If Mason scores a TD for his team on Sunday, Bet365 will reward it with odds of 1.77.
The Cowboys made the playoffs in the preseason, but failed miserably in the wild card round at home to the Packers. Nevertheless, the leaders kept their feet still in the offseason.
The squad was considered good enough and not meaningfully strengthened. Especially behind CeeDee Lamb, the quality of the playmakers is rapidly declining.
The run game with a weak backfield, a one-dimensional run scheme and an O-line that has also deteriorated was known to be a weakness.
This is now taking its toll this season. With 77.2 rush yards per game, “Big D” is in last place in the league. So far, they have only beaten teams like the Browns, Giants and Steelers.
On the other hand, there were bitter defeats at home against the Saints (19:44) and the Lions (9:47). These games made it clear how far the Cowboys currently are from the top of the NFL.
Sure, “America’s Team” can win games through its quarterback and individual stars. But against the top teams and in the playoffs, it’s going to be tight.
Then quarterback Dak Prescott has to take a lot of pressure on his shoulders and make difficult window shots or bridge long downs. Of course, Coach Mike McCarthy’s team has also been plagued by injury concerns this season.
In Week 6, for example, Dallas had to play without its top four edge defenders. In terms of points per game, the defense is currently in second-to-last place with 28 points per game.
Conclusion and Prediction: Both teams are currently not in a good place and want to avoid another failure at all costs. Home field advantage and the most recent record favor San Francisco.
Both the 49ers and the Cowboys have to replace numerous key players. The home side will focus on the run game. Here, too, the odds are quite good.
The guests are the most inefficient team in the NFL against the run (+0.19 EPA/Play). However, with “Big D” recovering well from the bye week and the offense not quite as unlucky with injuries, we expect a game in which anything can happen.
But with so many key players out, spectators shouldn’t expect a high-scoring game.
My tip for the 49ers Cowboys game is: Under 50.5 points!
