Not withstanding the actual football product, the Cowboys versus 49ers are an interesting matchup. In fact, it’s a quite topical paring of opposite teams. Consider Dallas is adamant about standing for the national anthem. On the other hand, the 49ers are the team that invented taking a knee. Which leads into their NFL betting.
Preseason opener for Thursday night. Encompassing both teams are expectations that may be far too high. For instance, Dallas is a perpetual letdown team. By contrast the 49ers closed strong after a 1-10 start. In fact, many fans like both teams’ playoff prospects.
Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers
Date and Time: Thursday, August 9, 2018, 10 p.m. ET
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
NFL Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cowboys | +3½ (-110) | 35 (-105) |  |
| 49ers | -3½ (-110) | 35 (-115) | |
| |||
Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers TV Coverage: NFL Network
San Francisco 49ers
Admittedly 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo caught fire last December. To show he led San Francisco to five straight wins to close the season. Above all 49ers fans are acting has if he is the new Joe Montana. Although the former Patriots backup closed strong he is not a proven starter. Moreover, the 49ers still played poorly most of the season. As a matter of fact, general manager John Lynch is cooling the NFL betting hype. Supplementing that was his reminiscing about playing on teams that closed strong. After that they often flamed out the following season.
Dallas Cowboys
Simultaneously Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott is very optimistic and excited. More emphatically he is talking Super Bowl. In contrast to last year Dallas has lost some key sportsbook assets. For example, Dez Bryant is gone and Jason Witten retired. As a result, this is more of a Prescott oriented team. Of concern is that defensive coordinators adjusted to Prescott in 2017. In comparison to 13 wins in 2016 Dallas had but nine last year.
Jason Garrett
Certainly, Dallas coach Jason Garrett is back on the hot seat. Additionally, most of his assistants departed after 2017. A clear difference is the 49ers Kyle Shanahan. Indeed, he is armed with a six-year contract and the full confidence of Lynch. Further he is celebrated as one of the game’s bright minds.
Cowboy’s Road Ahead
A clear difference for Dallas will be looking for a top receiver. Even so preseason is unlikely to find a replacement for Bryant. And then replacing Witten is simply impossible. Naturally the 49ers have to work hard in preseason and avoid reading their own headlines.
Team vs. Team
Dallas has been a terrible preseason road team. Consider the Cowboys are 2-8 vs. the line in their last 10 in that role. Just two of their last nine away exhibitions went over the total. Likewise, San Francisco bleeds red ink at home in preseason. Namely they have dropped four of their last five against the spread in that situation. Seven of their last eight home exhibitions went under the total.
Matchup to Watch
To summarize neither team excels at this NFL betting situation. Even so Dallas is truly awful in exhibition play. Furthermore, the vibe right now is good in San Francisco.
Cowboys vs. 49ers NFL Betting Pick
In sum the 49ers are the lesser of two preseason evils here.
Cowboys vs. 49ers Betting Odds Pick: San Francisco 49ers
Cowboys vs. 49ers Online Betting Odds Score Prediction: 49ers 24, Cowboys 13
Check out 49ers general manager John Lynch and his comments at the opening of training camp.