Dallas Cowboys vs San Francisco 49ers Prediction, Pick & Odds for Sunday Night Football

• We’ve made our Dallas Cowboys vs San Francisco 49ers prediction for Sunday Night Football
• The latest DAL vs SF odds favor the 49ers by 4.5 points at home
• Read below for Cowboys vs 49ers prediction, odds and expert picks

The Dallas Cowboys (3-3) travel to Levi’s Stadium to take on the San Francisco 49ers (3-4) in a pivotal Week 8 matchup on Sunday Night Football. Both teams have underperformed relative to expectations this season and will be looking for a statement win in primetime to get back on track.

The Cowboys enter after a much-needed bye week following their 47-9 blowout loss to Detroit, while the 49ers have dropped three straight, including last week’s 28-18 defeat to Kansas City.

Here is a look at our Cowboys vs 49ers prediction, along with the betting lines for Sunday Night Football.

Dallas Cowboys vs San Francisco 49ers Odds

The Cowboys vs 49ers odds show San Francisco as a 4.5-point favorite, meaning they need to win by five or more points to cover the spread. The 49ers have a 67.7% implied win probability based on the moneyline odds.

This line has seen notable movement since opening. The 49ers were initially installed as 7-point favorites on October 15th, but injuries and poor recent play have caused the spread to drop to 4.5. Sharp money appears to be backing the Cowboys, particularly with Dallas coming off their bye week.

The total has also attracted attention from professional bettors. After opening at 48.5, it’s been bet down to 47.5. We don’t disagree with projections of a lower-scoring affair, given San Francisco’s injury situation and Dallas’s struggling offense.

Odds as of October 26, 2024, at BetMGM Sportsbook. Unlock the BetMGM promo code to bet on Cowboys-49ers.

Cowboys Betting Analysis

The Cowboys enter this game with a disappointing 3-3 record, coming off a 47-9 blowout loss to the Detroit Lions. Quarterback Dak Prescott struggled in that game, going 17/33 for 178 yards with two interceptions and a 42.2 passer rating.

Dallas ranks dead last in the NFL in rushing, averaging just 77.2 yards per game. They’ll face a stout 49ers run defense allowing only 101 yards per contest (7th). Prescott may need to carry the offense against a banged-up San Francisco secondary.

Dak Prescott is 4-1 in his last five Sunday Night Football games. 👀 #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/nYtuKuPGWd

— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) October 26, 2024

Defensively, the Cowboys are surrendering 28 points per game, 31st in the NFL. They’ll be without star pass rusher Micah Parsons (ankle) and cornerback Daron Bland (foot), which could spell trouble against the 49ers’ high-powered attack. However, the potential return of linebacker Eric Kendricks and safety Malik Hooker may provide a boost.

San Francisco is likely to rely heavily on the run game, given their receiving corps injuries and Brock Purdy’s recent struggles. The Cowboys’ defense should be well prepared after the bye week to contain the 49ers’ ground attack.

49ers Betting Analysis

The 49ers limp into Week 8 at 3-4 after a 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Quarterback Brock Purdy struggled mightily, going 17/31 for 212 yards with three interceptions and a 36.7 passer rating.

San Francisco’s offense has been balanced this season, ranking 2nd in passing (262 ypg) and 3rd in rushing (158 ypg). However, they could be without top receiving weapons Deebo Samuel (questionable, illness) and Jauan Jennings (out, hip). Tight end George Kittle (questionable, foot) may also be limited if he plays.

49ers TE George Kittle, listed as questionable for Sunday night due to a sprained foot, is expected to play vs. the Cowboys, per source.

And so the 49ers are expected to have both Kittle and WR Deebo Samuel vs. Dallas. pic.twitter.com/dSoG0B8gyn

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 27, 2024

The 49ers defense has been solid, ranking 10th in yards allowed (328.8 ypg) and 12th in points allowed (21.7 ppg). However, the potential absence of Samuel and Jennings on offense puts more pressure on this unit to contain Prescott and the Cowboys’ passing attack.

Nick Bosa and Fred Warner lead a talented front seven, while Charvarius Ward anchors the secondary. If there’s an area of weakness, it’s against the run. San Fran’s power success rate in short-yardage situations ranks 25th, down 18 spots from last season.

Cowboys vs 49ers Prediction

While the 49ers are favored in this matchup, I believe there’s a solid betting opportunity with the Cowboys in the first quarter. Dallas has shown a terrific ability to start strong on the road, covering the first quarter spread in eight of their last ten away games, yielding a 42% return on investment.

The Cowboys’ ability to come out of the gates firing away from home simply can’t be overlooked. With the 49ers dealing with significant injuries to key offensive weapons, Kyle Shannahan’s usually explosive offense might take time to find its rhythm.

Dak Prescott’s leadership and ability to manage games effectively also make me bullish on Dallas’ first-quarter potential. While the 49ers’ defense remains elite, the uncertainty surrounding their offensive lineup will place additional pressure on their defense early in the game.

Under head coach Mike McCarthy, Dallas has excelled after bye weeks, going 3-1 both straight-up and against the spread. I lean towards “America’s Team” for the full-game spread, but my best bet is the Cowboys’ first-quarter spread, as they should come out guns blazin’ once again.

SNF Picks:

• Cowboys +0.5 1st Quarter (-125 at BetMGM)