My how the mighty have fallen. Within the spring, once you noticed this matchup on the NFL calendar, you grabbed a giant purple marker and circled it as many instances as you may. It is now December and nothing is as anybody anticipated it to be, with each groups having been ravaged by damage in a season additionally dominated by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. So, no, there will likely be no Jimmy Garoppolo taking pictures it out with Dak Prescott, or offensive coordinator Kellen Moore making an attempt to outsmart Nick Bosa and one of the best line of defense in all of soccer, and so forth. and so forth. That does not imply there is not cause to observe although, as a result of there’s, even when it isn’t the standard pomp and circumstance.
Having been flexed out of primetime and into the midday slate of video games, each groups have needed to change their preparation a bit for this sport, and each want a win with the intention to stay considerably viable within the playoff hunt. A loss by the Cowboys eliminates them utterly from playoff competition, and the 49ers would love nothing greater than to be the rationale their age-old rival will get buried and despatched into an early offseason. The identical goes within the inverse for the Cowboys although, realizing a win in opposition to San Francisco and a win or tie by the Arizona Cardinals will power head coach Kyle Shanahan to start prepping totally free company and the 2021 NFL Draft.
Two legacy franchises that entered the season with Tremendous Bowl aspirations and expectations — the 49ers having actually performed within the final one — at the moment are on soccer life help, and just one is escaping alive on Sunday afternoon. With the struggle now moved to early afternoon, you may want the information under to not miss a second of the motion.
Methods to watch
Date: Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020 | Time: 1 pm ET
Location: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
TV: CBS | Stream: CBS All Entry
Comply with: CBS Sports activities App
Preview
Not having Garoppolo in tow won’t actually matter when the 49ers stroll into AT&T Stadium, for a pair causes.
Probably the most prevalent is the very fact the Cowboys statistically have the worst protection within the historical past {of professional} soccer, which has defensive coordinator Mike Nolan on a seat sizzling sufficient to soften his pelvis. The unit is understood for having each execution and energy points, and so they typically enable the opposing working sport to tee off early and infrequently. If working again Raheem Mostert (ankle) can go, it’s going to put the Cowboys in a troublesome spot, however working backs Jeff Wilson, Jr., Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon is perhaps loads to get the job completed in opposition to a protection that’s permitting a median of 162.7 speeding yards and per sport at 5.1 yards per carry — the worst within the NFL in each classes. Additionally tied for third-worst within the league with 17 speeding touchdowns allowed, it is doubtless the 49ers will set up the run with or with out Mostert, making issues simpler for quarterback Nick Mullens.
Though he nonetheless will not have All-Professional tight finish George Kittle (foot), who is not able to return to motion but.
What will not be simple for Mullens is going through DeMarcus Lawrence, Aldon Smith and Randy Gregory off the sides although, as a result of all three have confirmed they’ll get after the quarterback. It is a bit of a revenge sport for Smith and line of defense coach Jim Tomsula — each having an excellent little bit of historical past with the 49ers — and though Smith will not view it as such, it is arduous to fathom him not having an added oomph when he traces up in opposition to the purple and gold. This would be the key to the Cowboys doubtlessly successful the sport: hurrying, hitting and sacking Mullens, together with hoping the strain forces him into errors that might flip into takeaways.
The Cowboys have been beneficiaries of three discovered fumbles in opposition to the Bengals final week and hope to maintain that rolling this Sunday, with some assist probably being on the way in which within the secondary — by means of security Donovan Wilson (groin), Chidobe Awuzie (Reserve/COVID) and rookie second-round decide Trevon Diggs doubtlessly coming back from damage. As for Mullens’ counterpart in Dallas, Andy Dalton, it’s going to be about not underestimating defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
Saleh is one in every of, if not the, finest defensive thoughts within the NFL and has his patchwork defensive unit taking part in with a ton of fireside and perception, in order that they’ll look to make the most of a porous Dallas o-line from the primary snap to the ultimate one, in ways in which might floor Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup. This contrarily might additionally make for a protracted day for Ezekiel Elliott, the two-time NFL speeding champ having the added handicap of a nagging calf bruise, going through a bunch who’s nonetheless top-10 in stopping the run, even with out their superstars on the sphere.
Saddle up, people.
Predictions
Newest Odds:
Dallas Cowboys
+3
All instructed, it’s going to doubtless be a detailed sport, even when it is not a high-scoring one (and nothing signifies it is going to be a barnburner).
The Cowboys are underdogs on their very own area although, and that may’t really feel nice for “America’s Crew,” however it’s not the primary time it is occurred this season. The 49ers are slender three-point favorites to finish Dallas’ season, per William Hill Sportsbook. With an over/underneath of 45, the query turns into which workforce will keep away from the one or two errors that can torpedo their probabilities. These might come from wherever — offense, protection and/or particular groups — in a sport the place each golf equipment are taking a final deep gasp earlier than the season concludes.
Decide: 49ers 20, Cowboys 17