The Dallas Cowboys’ future remains in question after loss vs. Lions
The Dallas Cowboys looked absolutely lifeless against the Lions— where do they go from here?
Sports Seriously
The ages-old Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers rivalry takes center stage on Sunday night.
Both teams, though, aren’t quite up to contender form to this point in the season. The 49ers have been ravaged with injuries throughout the season, the latest blow coming to their wide receiver corps. Brandon Aiyuk will miss the remainder of the season with a brutal knee injury, while Deebo Samuel was hospitalized while dealing with a bout of pneumonia.
The Cowboys have dealt with their fair share of injuries, but their issues go beyond who’s not on the field. Head coach Mike McCarthy has drawn the ire of Dallas fans this season, as the team, particularly its defense, hasn’t quite played up to expectations. Entering Week 8, the Cowboys are fielding the 31st-ranked scoring defense, putting major heat under both McCarthy and new Dallas defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
Now, coming off a bye week, fans and analysts alike will witness whether the time off was beneficial for Dallas’ playoff push or if the devastatingly injured 49ers can take advantage of a reeling Cowboys squad on national TV.
USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights, and more for the Week 8 “Sunday Night Football” matchup between the Cowboys and 49ers below.
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- Start time:Â 8:20 p.m. ET | 5:20 p.m. PT
The 49ers vs. Cowboys “Sunday Night Football” matchup will get underway at 8:20 p.m. ET (5:20 p.m. PT). The Cowboys travel to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, to take on the 49ers.
The game will air on NBC and Peacock. The game is also available to stream on Fubo.
Mike Tirico (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (analyst) will be on the call, with Melissa Stark adding reports from the field for NBC.Â
Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports staff feel the 49ers vs. Cowboys matchup on “SNF” will shake out:
- Lorenzo Reyes: Cowboys 21, 49ers 20
- Tyler Dragon: 49ers 23, Cowboys 21
- Richard Morin: 49ers 30, Cowboys 27
- Jordan Mendoza: 49ers 22, Cowboys 20
The 49ers are favorites to defeat the Cowboys, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2024, including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.Â
- Spread: 49ers (-4.5)Â
- Moneyline: 49ers (-225); Cowboys (+180)Â
- Over/Under: 46.5Â
Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks, and spreads has you covered with “Thursday Night Football” odds and ”Monday Night Football” odds.Â
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Two-time All-Pro Micah Parsons will miss a third consecutive game as he continues to recover from a high ankle sprain he suffered in the Cowboys’ Week 4 game against the New York Giants. The linebacker had not practiced all week as Dallas returned from its bye week.
Here are the Cowboys’ inactive players:
- DE Micah Parsons
- QB Trey Lance (third QB)
- CB Caelen Carson
- RB Rico Dowdle
- CB Andrew Booth
- OT Matt Waletzko
Deebo Samuel had been dealing with a “pneumonia-like illness” for a couple of weeks, according to 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. The star wideout played just four snaps in San Francisco’s Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and was in the hospital as recently as Tuesday. Samuel did not practice on Wednesday, but was a limited participant on Thursday and Friday and is active against the Cowboys on Sunday night.
George Kittle, who Shanahan had announced was “day-to-day” on Monday, will also be active Sunday night. The All-Pro tight end had been dealing with a sprained foot that also kept him limited in practice this week.
Here are the 49ers’ inactive players:
- QB Joshua Dobbs
- DL Kevin Givens
- K Jake Moody
- WR Jauan Jennings
- OL Ben Bartch
- LB Jalen Graham
- CB Rock Ya-Sin
The Pittsburgh Steelers are tied with the New England Patriots for the most Super Bowl wins with six.Â
Pittsburgh and Dallas have the unique distinction of playing each other more than any other team combination in Super Bowl history with three matchups.Â
The 49ers have made eight Super Bowl appearances and have five rings to show for it, the most recent coming in the 1994 season. The Cowboys own five Super Bowl wins, with the most recent coming during the 1995 season.
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