'Pissed-Off' Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers Preview: Prime-Time NFC Road Test
The date circled in red for most Dallas Cowboys fans is here. The Cowboys hit the road for a prime-time showdown against the San Francisco 49ers, the team that has knocked Dallas out of the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
This Week 5 Sunday night matchup is highlighted by the Cowboys No. 1-ranked defense vs. the No. 3-ranked offense in San Francisco. The Cowboys defense excels at creating havoc and scoring (three TDs in four games this season) while the almost-bulletproof Niners offense takes great care of the ball.
San Francisco has only one turnover this season, which came in Week 1 vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers. Quarterback Brock Purdy hasn't thrown an interception yet in a 49ers offense that ranks third in the league for scoring (31.3 points per game).
The Cowboys defense sits atop the league in points allowed-per-game (10.3). If Dallas holds San Francisco to 10 points-or-less on Sunday, it would mark the first time in franchise history that the Cowboys held four of their first five opponents to 10 points-or-less.
San Francisco has been the Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott's kryptonite in the postseason. Last time these two teams played in the regular season was 2020, a 41-33 win for the Cowboys in Dallas.
A true road test between two of the top teams in the conference ... The hopefully healthy 2023 Dallas squad hopes to improve on a 12-5 campaign of a year ago and usurp the Philadelphia Eagles as NFC East Division champions. Entering Week 5, Dallas is behind the undefeated Eagles, who sit stop the division.
Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Tony Pollard
FUN FACT: Brandon Aubrey has made all 13 of his field goal attempts this season. He is the eighth kicker in league history to start his career 13-for-13 or better.
RECORDS: Dallas Cowboys (3-1) vs. San Francisco 49ers (4-0)
ODDS: Dallas is a 3.5-point underdog vs. the Niners
GAME TIME: Sunday, October 8, 2023 at 7:2o p.m. CT
LOCATION: Levi's Stadium - Santa Clara, California
TV/RADIO: NBC, 105.3 The Fan
THE FINAL WORD: Asked to reflect on the feeling from last season after a second straight playoff loss to the 49ers, Prescott paused and said:
“It’s obvious,'' Prescott said. "You just want to piss me off going into this week, and I appreciate that. I do actually. I do. I appreciate that. I appreciate that.”
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