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San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys Predictions, Picks, Odds

Daniel Dobish
Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert
7 minute read

The San Francisco 49ers (10-7) travel to meet the Dallas Cowboys (12-5) for an NFC wild-card game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on CBS.

SCORE PREDICTION

Dallas 30, San Francisco 27

BEST BETS

Over 50.5 (-110) at BetMGM

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS VS. DALLAS COWBOYS PREDICTIONS

If you grew up watching football in the 1980s and 1990s, you were probably sick of seeing these teams face each other in the postseason. It seemed either Joe Montana's 49ers were competing for the Super Bowl in the 1980s, or Troy Aikman was leading the Cowboys to the big game on almost a yearly basis in the 1990s. There was some crossover, too, where these teams played three times in the NFC Championship Game in the 1990s. In fact, Jan. 15, 1995 is the last time these teams have faced each other in the postseason.

The 49ers picked up a 27-24 overtime win in the regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Rams, chiseling the New Orleans Saints out of a playoff appearance in the process. San Francisco enters the playoffs on a two-game win streak, while covering in four of the past five outings. The UNDER has cashed in four of the past five outings.

The Cowboys trounced the Philadelphia Eagles in the regular-season finale last Saturday by a 51-26 score, clearing 50 points for the second time in three games. It appears the Dallas offense will be one to be reckoned with in the postseason.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS VS. DALLAS COWBOYS BETTING ODDS

More Odds | Futures Odds

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS VS. DALLAS COWBOYS BETTING RESOURCES

  • Matchup: NFC West vs. NFC East
  • Date: Sunday, January 16, 2022
  • Venue: AT&T Stadium
  • Location: Arlington, Texas
  • TV-Time: CBS - 4:30 p.m. ET

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 10-7
  • ATS: 9-8
  • O/U: 8-9
  • ATS - Away: 5-4

The 49ers closed out the season with four covers in the final five games, and they're 7-2 ATS across the past nine outings. Against playoff teams, San Francisco actually fared pretty well, going 4-4 SU/ATS, including 3-2 SU/ATS in five road games against teams in the current playoff field. The UNDER cashed in four of those five games against playoff teams, too.

San Francisco has posted a 5-1 ATS mark in the past six games as an underdog, while going 9-4 ATS in the past 13 games as a road 'dog. In addition, the Niners have cashed in each of the past seven games in the month of January.

For totals, the UNDER is 4-1 in the past five games overall, while going 5-2 in the past seven games as an underdog while also hitting the UNDER in five of the past seven games against teams with a winning record. The UNDER is also 5-1 in the past six playoff games, while going 4-0 in the past four playoff road outings.

DALLAS COWBOYS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 12-5
  • ATS: 13-4
  • O/U: 8-9
  • ATS - Home: 5-3

The Cowboys had a losing record in games against playoff teams this season, going 3-4 SU in seven outings while going 4-3 ATS. The OVER is 2-1 in three home dates against teams against playoff teams.

Dallas has covered five of the past six games, while going 13-4 ATS overall on the season. The Cowboys have been cover kings, including 5-3 ATS in eight home outings. The Cowboys are 5-1 ATS in the past six as a favorite, while cashing in 16 of the past 21 games dating back to last season. However, Dallas is a dismal 6-13 ATS in the past 19 games against teams with a winning record, while going 1-4 in the past five as a favorite in the playoffs, and 1-5 ATS in the past six playoff games overall. The Cowboys are 1-7 ATS in the past eight games in the month of January, too.

For totals, the UNDER has hit in eight of the past 11 games overall, while going 6-2 ATS in the past eight games against NFC opponents. The OVER is 8-3 in the past 11 games at home, however, while going 10-4 in the past 14 as a home favorite.


San Francisco is a perfect 7-0 ATS in the past seven games in January. (AP)

INSIDE THE STATS - SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

  • Record: 10-7
  • Division Standing: 2-4
  • Points Scored: 427
  • Points Allowed: 365
  • PS/G: 25.1
  • PA/G: 21.5

INSIDE THE STATS - DALLAS COWBOYS

  • Record: 12-5
  • Division Standing: 6-0
  • Points Scored: 530
  • Points Allowed: 358
  • PS/G: 31.2
  • PA/G: 21.1

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

  • SFO: Jimmy Garoppolo - QB (301/441, 3,810 yards, 20 TD, 12 INT)
  • SFO: Deebo Samuel - RB/WR (136 touches, 1,770 total yards, 14 total TDs)
  • DAL: CeeDee Lamb - WR (79 catches, 1,102 yards, 6 TD)
  • DAL: Dak Prescott - QB (410/596, 4,449 yards, 37 TD, 10 INT)

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS VS. DALLAS COWBOYS BETTING CONCLUSION

This might be the most entertaining matchup of the entire wild-card round, as the 49ers and Cowboys get together in the playoffs for the first time since in almost exactly 27 calendar years.

The Cowboys are expected to have Smith back protecting the backside of Dak Prescott, which is tremendous news with Nick Bosa and the strong San Francisco pass rush pulling into town. Dallas led the NFL with 31.2 PPG, but San Francisco certainly has the tools to be able to keep pace. WR/RB Deebo Samuel has been a Swiss Army Knife down the stretch, filling the void with a handful of tailbacks dealing with injuries. The injuries have turned into a blessing in disguise, as Samuel has really bloomed in the offense both out of the backfield and with his hands catching the football. The Cowboys will want to be very concerned with his whereabouts Sunday, or they'll be headed for the couch for the rest of the playoffs.

Dallas was just so-so defensively, allowing 238.2 passing yards per game to rank 20th, and 112.8 rushing yards per game to rank in the middle of the pack at 16th. Can offense win a championship? The saying has always been defense wins championships. The Cowboys might have enough to ease by the 49ers in a high-scoring close game, but this might be as far as Dallas goes.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS VS. DALLAS COWBOYS BETTING TRENDS

  • San Francisco is 4-1 ATS in the past five games overall.
  • San Francisco is 5-1 ATS in the past six as an underdog.
  • San Francisco is 4-1 ATS in the past five vs. NFC teams.
  • San Francisco is 7-0 ATS in the past seven January games.
  • San Francisco is 9-4 ATS in the past 13 as a road underdog.
  • Dallas is 16-5 ATS in the past 21 games overall.
  • Dallas is 7-3 ATS in the past 10 home games.
  • Dallas is 5-1 ATS in the past six as a favorite.
  • Dallas is 6-13 ATS in the past 19 against winning teams.
  • Dallas is 1-5 ATS in the past six playoff games.
  • Dallas is 1-7 ATS in the past eight January games.
  • The UNDER is 4-1 in the past five games for San Francisco.
  • The UNDER is 5-2 in the past seven vs. winning teams for San Francisco.
  • The UNDER is 8-3 in the past 11 games for Dallas.
  • The OVER is 8-3 in the past 11 home games for Dallas.

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Daniel Dobish

Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish
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