Sunday | 8:20 ET
Sunday Night Football presents a classic NFC matchup this week. In a rematch of last years Divisional Round, the Cowboys will head to San Fransisco to face the red-hot 49ers. The Niners have won 14 straight regular season games dating back to last year, and QB Brock Purdy is yet to lose a non-playoff game. Dallas will provide a challenge in Week 5. The Cowboys’ roster is stacked, even with CB Trevon Diggs out for the year. They come in at 3-1 after giving Bill Belichick the worst loss of his career in Week 4. Both teams are riding high, and would love to prove that they belong at the top of the NFC.
Both teams are must-watch television on both sides of the ball. When the 49ers are in possession, Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, and Deebo Samuel provide fantastic plays on a weekly basis. The offense is run by the best play caller in the game right now, Kyle Shanahan. The unit has perfected his scheme, which revolves heavily around outside zone and west-coast principles. Every play is very precisely planned and timed out, and Brock Purdy has shown a clear understanding and ability to thrive in this play-style. He gets the ball out quick and accurately and lets his weapons gain the majority of their yards after the catch.
This unstoppable offense will have a tough challenge on Sunday Night against an impressive Dallas defense. While, the Niners rank 2nd in overall PFF offensive grade, the Cowboys rank 2nd in overall PFF defensive grade and have given up the least amount of points this season. Dallas is tied for 4th in sacks with 14. The 49ers are ranked 26th in PFF pass blocking grade, so Micah Parsons and the Cowboys might be able to get to Purdy more than he’d like. The problem is, the offense is too fast. Shanahan doesn’t rely on his quarterback waiting for plays to develop. The ball gets out so quickly that pressure hinders the 49ers much less than it does other teams. I expect the 49ers offense, who has scored at least 30 points each week this season, to produce. They won’t put up gaudy numbers, but they’ll put enough points on the board.
On the other side of the ball, the story is similar. The Cowboys have scored the fourth most points this season (124, just one behind the 49ers at 125), yet the 49ers have arguably the strongest defense in the NFL. They rank 1st in overall offensive PFF grade. It will be very interesting to see who has the edge. There are so many talented players on both sides of the ball. CeeDee Lamb creates mismatches in the slot, which seems to be the weakest spot in the San Fransisco defense. He’ll need to have a big game, but there is also a lot of pressure on the Cowboys’ offensive line. Javon Hargrave and Javon Kinlaw are tied for 4th in hurries among defensive tackles (12), and Nick Bosa coming off of the edge leads the NFL in QB hits (9). Stopping the San Fransisco pass rush will be extremely difficult, but vital to Dallas’ hopes of winning the game.
Both teams are very good on both sides of the ball. Ultimately, I think that the 49ers’ style of offense will allow them to still produce against the Cowboys. Dallas will struggle with protecting Dak, and the San Fransisco defense will prove too overwhelming.