There is no doubt that the best NFL game today is the Sunday Night Football matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers. There’s always a never-ending history between these two rivals, and the stakes are even higher in Week 5.
Last season, Dallas again lost against the 49ers in the finals and the offense stifled in a 19-12 loss. Both teams enter Sunday Night Football near the top of the NFL rankings, and that will guarantee the NFL TV ratings for this game.
In the last Cowboys vs 49ers game, Dallas did an excellent job containing All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey. To put things into perspective, let’s look at how McCaffrey performed during the 2022 regular season with San Francisco. In 10 starts after landing with the team, McCaffrey averaged 4.7 yards per carry, 8.8 yards per reception with 114.8 scrimmage yards per game and 10 total touchdowns scored.
Yet in the NFC Divisional Round, McCaffrey managed just 3.5 yards per carry and 5.1 yards per reception with 42 scrimmage yards on 16 touches. Dallas did a better job of containing McCaffrey than any 49ers’ opponent during the regular season. Yet, we expect that to change in Week 5.
Keep in mind that plenty of opponents have had success on the ground against the Cowboys’ defense. In 2022, Dallas allowed 200-plus rushing yards twice and six of its opponents rushed for 150-plus yards. As for this season, we’re only a few weeks removed from the Arizona Cardnals exploding for 222 rushing yards on Dallas in Week 3. With the 49ers’ passing game in a better place than it was when these teams last met, McCaffrey should have a much better performance.
Trent Williams is a future Hall of Famer and remains one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL. Outside of the perennial All-Pro selection, however, San Francisco’s offensive line is useful. Entering Week 4, the 49ers ranked just 14th in ESPN pass blocking percentage (56%). Across from Williams, San Francisco will start Colton McKivitz (62.8 PFF pass grade, four sacks allowed) at right tackle. Dallas loves to move the priests in the box. This season, Parsons has 62 snaps in LOLB and 86 snaps in ROLB, per Pro Football Focus. Against San Francisco, it’s safe to project Parsons to the top to exploit San Francisco’s weakness.
San Francisco 49ers offensive line stats (PFF): 85.1 pass blocking efficiency (15th), 32 pressures allowed on 124 returns (27th in NFL), 5 sacks allowed
Of course, Kyle Shanahan will find ways to force the Cowboys’ pass rushers to pump the brakes a bit. Purdy’s average throw time is fifth (2.43 seconds) and a solid 84.0 QB against pressure (12th in the NFL). However, Dallas is one of the few teams well-equipped to penetrate the 49ers’ backfield, and that should lead to multiple sacks and a potential sack attack.
