It's the Cowboys and 49ers. That's all that needs to be said.
Sure, this game is missing some big-time stars such as McCaffrey, Aiyuk, Parsons and D-Law, and maybe DaRon Bland again.
But just the rivalry has been over the years, the names always change but the drama usually doesn't. Expect something wild to happen this Sunday night. But can the Cowboys do enough to turn the tide on what has been one-sided here in the last three meetings.
Here's what the staff writers predict will happen Sunday night in Santa Clara:
Kyle Youmans: Shocker. Another week, another tough matchup. This time against a team that has made deep runs into the playoffs three straight seasons and represented the NFC in the Super Bowl last season. However, this is not the same San Francisco 49ers that Dallas has struggled against since 2021. They have multiple starters out on both sides of the ball and have needed multiple rookies and reserves to step up in a big way. Sound familiar? Dallas is in a similar situation with some of their stars remaining questionable after the bye week. Because of that, it'll come down to scheme and execution within that scheme. In that area, I have more confidence in San Francisco. 49ers take an ugly one, 24-16.
Patrik Walker: Both of these teams are ravaged by injuries, so that's a wash to me. What it will come down to is who is more desperate for the win and, consequently, who can execute the best without letting that desperation push them over the event horizon into playing sloppy football. The Cowboys excel coming out of bye weeks in the Mike McCarthy era, and the Dak Prescott-CeeDee Lamb connection caught fire in 2023 after a very similar slow start last season heading into that year's bye week. That gives me optimism toward what can happen in Santa Clara for the Cowboys, and I could see them using the humiliation handed to them by the Detroit Lions, in conjunction with having two weeks to prepare for this game, as the possible pivot point of the season. Oh, and Brock Purdy has thrown seven interceptions to only nine touchdowns in the first seven games, so there's also that. All of that is true, and yet, having not defeated your Boogeyman, you'll have to show me you can. And by all means, use this prediction as added motivation. ;) . 49ers, 23-20
Nick Eatman: This week has been an internal tennis match for me - a lot of back and forth - about this game. Just like everyone sees, the 49ers seem to be more vulnerable than ever to be beaten. Then again, so do the Cowboys and they still don't seem to be a lot better health-wise than the last game, other than maybe Eric Kendricks returning. I know what the 49ers have been for the Cowboys in terms of physiologically, but I think the players have changed enough on both sides where it shouldn't be as much of a factor as one might think. If we're going to use history to tell us anything, then I'll take Mike McCarthy's history returning from the bye week. HIs teams historically have been good. I think they figure out a way to "cook" up a few things in the running game and we see just enough wrinkles to make a difference. The Cowboys need to be the refreshed team coming out of the bye against a beaten-down 49ers team that is limping into their bye. I'll take the Cowboys in a 26-23 win.
Tommy Yarrish: My feelings on this game have tossed and turned as the week has gone on and as the injury reports have come in day by day, but I think I've finally come to a good gut feeling after being right, but way off last week. Dallas' upbeat vibes in the locker room and comments about having a great week of practice after Mike McCarthy saying they were practicing hard, but not well enough inspired some confidence in me. I believe that we will see a better showing from the Cowboys on Sunday night because of the extra week of rest and preparation. I'm expecting CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott to have a much better connection than what we've seen through the first six weeks. I think the Cowboys defense finally finds a way to get some turnovers with some of San Francisco's top players out of the lineup. At the end of the day though, I think San Francisco's defense, notably on the line of scrimmage and Fred Warner in the middle, is what will win this game. I don't see this as the game where Dallas figures out how to establish their run game, and I don't see this Cowboys defense being able to stop Jordan Mason and the 49ers run scheme enough to make Brock Purdy beat them through the air. I feel like this game will be close and down to the wire, with San Francisco winning it. 49ers 34, Cowboys 28
