Dallas Cowboys (2-3 SU, 2-3 ATS) vs. San Francisco 49ers (0-6 SU, 2-4 ATS)
NFL Week 7
Date/Time: Sunday, October 22nd, 4:05pm
Where: Levi’s Stadium – Santa Monica, CA
TV: Fox
by Bob, NCAA Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: DAL -6/SF +6
Over/Under Total: 46.5
This Sunday on Fox we have an NFC showdown that back in the mid 1990s would probably be a prime time match up of two of the NFL’s finest. Well now, in 2017, we have the 2-3 Dallas Cowboys traveling west to take on the 0-6 San Francisco 49ers. Dallas enters as the third place team in the NFC East while, well, the Niners are winless and dead last in the NFC West. This could potentially be a trap game for Dallas so do not go thinking this will be an easy win…it wont.
As of Tuesday evening, the Cowboys were a six point road favorite over the 49ers and the total points were set at 46.5 combined between the two. The public so far likes Dallas seeing as how 64% of the documented action was on them to get the road cover which if this trend stays in place, this line to get up to a seven point spread by kickoff on Sunday. The total points probably will not shift much as most books have it at 46.5, you can find it anywhere from 45 to 47 and no matter what the total, about 53% thinks this game stays under the total.
Dallas came into this season with high hopes. They were the top seed in the NFC playoffs a year ago only to lose in the Divisional Round at home to Green Bay. This year many (not me), thought Dallas was the team to beat. So far, they have looked average at best. With the flip flopping of whether or not Ezekiel Elliott will play or not and with less than stellar quarterback play from Dak Prescott, these Cowboys are not bad, but they are just an average NFL team up to this point. As of now, it appears that Elliott will not play but then there is word he may…I am done worrying about it because honestly, even with Zeke this season, it has not mattered one way or the other.
I promise you this, the Cowboys are going to have their hands full this weekend. Washington nearly lost to San Francisco this past weekend and it appears that first year coach, Kyle Shannahan, is finally getting his teams offense rolling just like he did in Atlanta last year as the OC. As the Niners offense struggled to get going in 2017 with Brian Hoyer as QB, Shannahan has made the change to rookie, CJ Beathard…the 3rd round pick out of Iowa. In Beathard’s first start for San Fran,he passed for 245 yards on 19 for 36 with a touchdown and an interception. It appears now that the 49ers are going to cut it loose and open up the offense. 36 pass attempts for a id making his first start shows the confidence and attitude this offense will bring. Not only that, the Dallas Cowboys defense has not been the best so far in 2017. Dallas has already allowed 30+ points three times and in one of those, they gave up 42 to a Denver team that is not known for its offense. This could be a real problem for Dallas this Sunday.
To me this is a very interesting game. If you paid attention to the NFL this past week, you know that anyone can beat anyone in this league. I seriously believe that this Sunday could be the day the 49ers get their first win, but I will not go out and predict the money line upset. I will however say that I think this game will be close. I think Dallas comes out on top with a 27-23 type win, but I like the 49ers to cover the spread.
Bob’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: TAKE THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS +6 POINTS AGAINST THE DALLAS COWBOYS. Move the line on this game up to 20 points by inserting it into a 20 point football teaser at the web’s best sportsbook: 5dimes!