On Sunday, January 22, the San Francisco 49ers will face off against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL Divisional Round. The game will be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California at 6:30 PM ET. Both teams won their first playoff matchup handily and will be looking to build on those victories. The second-seeded 49ers bested the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, January 14, showcasing their offensive firepower with 41 points scored. San Francisco has now won eleven straight games dating back to the regular season. Meanwhile, the fifth-seeded Cowboys dominated Tom Brady and the Buccaneers Monday night behind a huge game from quarterback Dak Prescott. Dallas and San Francisco each have several stars on both sides of the ball. Both teams are certainly capable of winning a Super Bowl this season. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest storylines for Sunday’s clash and make a prediction for the outcome:
Will Brock Purdy’s Magic Continue?
After quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s injury in early December, many people questioned the legitimacy of the 49ers as a contender. Garoppolo’s replacement, Brock Purdy, was the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and expectations were low for him. To say that Purdy has exceeded expectations would be a massive understatement. Purdy and the 49ers have not lost a game since he has been inserted in the lineup. The rookie from Iowa State has remarkably thrown for 14 touchdowns and two interceptions in six starts since Garoppolo’s injury. In his first career playoff game, Purdy threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.
Despite his remarkable success, facing Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys defense will be a tough task for the rookie. Purdy won’t be asked to carry the team, but he must continue to take care of the football against Dallas. Fortunately, the 49ers also possess the NFL’s best combination of skill position players on offense. Running back Christian McCaffrey, tight end George Kittle, and wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk are all high-level playmakers. If Purdy can limit his turnovers, the 49ers will be in great shape to reach the NFC Championship game.
Can Dak Prescott Rise to the Occasion Again?
Dak Prescott had arguably the best game of his career in the Wild-Card Round against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The seventh-year signal caller was close to perfect on Monday, throwing for 305 yards and four touchdowns. Since entering the league in 2016, Dak has been among the league’s best quarterbacks. However, his postseason success has been limited thus far, with just one playoff win before this season. San Francisco’s defense is arguably the best in the NFL, and repeating his brilliant performance will be no easy task. Defensive Player of the Year favorite Nick Bosa has been an absolute monster this season. Linebacker Fred Warner and safety Talanoa Hufanga are also 2023 Pro Bowlers. San Francisco’s defense is physical, experienced, and confident coming off eleven straight victories.
To have success against the 49ers, Prescott will need his playmakers to step up, namely Tony Pollard and CeeDee Lamb. Pro Bowler Tony Pollard has overtaken Ezekiel Elliott as Dallas’ top running back this season. Establishing the running game will be key for Dallas, and Pollard should be leaned on as the go-to guy. Lamb, Dallas’ no. 1 receiver, will also need to make an impact against San Francisco. Tight end Dalton Schultz also has the potential to be an X-factor for Sunday’s game. Schultz had a big game against Tampa and has served as a reliable security blanket for Prescott in recent years.
Will Brett Maher Bounce Back?
There weren’t many negatives from Dallas’ convincing victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday. One concerning sign was the struggles of kicker Brett Maher, who missed an NFL record four extra points. In response to Maher’s performance, Dallas added kicker Tristan Vizcaino to their practice squad. However, barring an unexpected change, the Cowboys are expected to stick with Maher. Before Monday’s game, Maher enjoyed a solid season for Dallas, making 29/32 field goals and 50/53 extra points. Hopefully, for Maher and the Cowboys, he can bounce back and provide more stability for the team at kicker. The Cowboys simply will not be able to afford these missed extra points against the 49ers.
Prediction
The 49ers and the Cowboys both have arguments for why they should be favored in this game. Dallas has the more proven quarterback in Dak Prescott, while the 49ers haven’t lost since October. While Prescott performed admirably last week, the 49ers’ defense is elite and may cause trouble for the Cowboys’ offense. Given Brock Purdy’s consistency and the talent around him, San Francisco’s offense will be tough to slow down for Dallas. While this game can go either way, San Francisco should be able to come out on top at home. Our prediction is a 27-20 victory for the red-hot 49ers.
