The Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers had much bigger plans for 2020 than getting bumped from a primetime slot in Week 15 due to a lack of playoff implications. However, injuries to their respective quarterbacks and just bad football across the board have these two teams looking ahead to 2021.
The Cowboys are 2.5-point NFL betting underdogs at home, coming off a rare win in Week 14, while the Niners limp into this road game with just one win since Week 8.
These are our NFL free picks and predictions for 49ers vs. Cowboys on December 20.
San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys Betting Preview
Weather
This game will be played indoors at AT&T STadium. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions for other matchups with our NFL weather info.
Key Injuries
49ers: Ben Garland G (Out), Tom Compton G (Out), Deebo Samuel WR (Out), Hroniss Grasu OL (Out).
Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliott RB (Out), Bradlee Anae DE (Out), Deante Burton CB (Out), Rashard Robinson CB (Out).
Find our latest NFL injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
San Francisco is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 road games. Find more NFL betting trends for 49ers vs. Cowboys.
Against the Spread (ATS) Pick
Every game is a road game for the 49ers, who have been kicked out of their Santa Clara home due to COVID-19 restrictions on sports in the region. That’s left the Niners to play their last two games – technically home stands – at State Farm Stadium in Arizona.
Those “home” efforts weren’t pretty, getting squashed by the Buffalo Bills in Week 13 and losing 23-15 to Washington last Sunday thanks to three costly turnovers – two of which found their way back to the 49ers’ end zone. San Francisco’s offense has been punchless, averaging only 18.4 points per game in its last five contests. Granted, some of those efforts came against a few of the stiffer stop units in the league.
That won’t be the case on Sunday when the 49ers find themselves starring at the Cowboys defense. Dallas may have limited Cincinnati to only seven points in Week 14, but this unit has been underperforming all season, giving up massive gains on the grounds (32nd versus the run) and allowing almost 31 points per contest.
San Francisco has one of the richest depth charts at the running back position and Kyle Shanahan’s playbook is all about the shorter passes and additional pick-ups, adding 1,685 yards after the catch – fifth-most in the NFL. Dallas’ defense is often late to contact, allowing rushers to reach top speed, and boasts 86 missed tackles on the season so far.
PREDICTION: San Francisco -2.5 (-110)
Over/Under Pick
Don’t get too excited about the Cowboys’ 30-point outpouring against the Bengals last weekend.
Cincinnati turned the ball over three times and gave Dallas extra whacks at the pinata (as well as one of those TDs coming on the defensive side of the ball). Despite those three fumbles, the Bengals actually out-yarded the Cowboys (309-272) and collected two more first downs than Dallas.
San Francisco’s ground game has made it a TOP machine, holding on to the ball for an average of 31:19 (ninth-most) and padding a stop unit allowing just 21.1 points per road game on the year. The 49ers defense is coming off a strong effort versus Washington, allowing only two field goals while the rest of those points against came on defensive touchdowns from the Football Team.
The Cowboys have scored more than 19 points only twice since losing QB Dak Prescott back in Week 5 and have gone 3-5 Over/Under in those eight games since. San Francisco has also been profitable for fans of boring football, staying below the number in three of its last four and five of its last eight contests.
PREDICTION: Under 45.5 (-110)
Player Prop Pick
Through all the ups and downs of the 2020 season for the Cowboys, the one consistent remains Amari Cooper.
The star wideout continues to shine for this busted offense, amassing 942 yards on 80 catches to go along with five touchdowns, despite a game of musical chairs under center since Prescott’s season-ending injury. Three of those scores have come in the past three games, with Cooper finding paydirt in each of those outings.
Cooper had four catches for 51 yards and a TD at Cincinnati last Sunday – and could have had more if not for Andy Dalton’s miscues - but does his best work in AT&T Stadium. On the season, he’s averaging 13.6 yards per reception at home (vs. 10.2 on the road) and has caught 14 of his 19 total touchdowns as a host over the past three seasons.
PREDICTION: Amari Cooper touchdown scorer (+174)
49ers vs Cowboys Betting Card
- San Francisco -2.5 (-110)
- Under 45.5 (-110)
- Amari Cooper touchdown scorer (+174)
Did you know that if you parlayed this week’s NFL 49ers vs. Cowboys picks, you could win $89.86 on a $10 bet?
Use our NFL parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where Can I Bet on the NFL?
You can bet on NFL odds at every online and casino sportsbooks, including NFL moneylines, spreads, Over/Under totals and a ton of NFL prop odds. Head over to our best-suggested sportsbooks for the top spots to bet on NFL odds in your area.
