At one time…a few decades ago…the 49ers and the Cowboys was the top rivalry in the NFL. In 2026, Sunday’s game between the 49ers (7-1) and the Cowboys (4-5) features one team contending for a Super Bowl and the other simply battling to remain in contention in an underwhelming division. The contrast extends beyond the standings is explained in the numbers: the 49ers are averaging 29.4 points per game while allowing 19.5, compared with 27.3 scored and 26.2 allowed by the Cowboys.
San Francisco arrives in Arlington following a convincing 38-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, a game the 49ers broke open with a turnover-fueled second half. Brock Purdy completed 17 of 25 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a score, while Christian McCaffrey scored once on the ground and once through the air. San Francisco led 21-10 at halftime before Jaden Dugger returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown on the Raiders’ first offensive play of the third quarter. That started a remarkable half in which the 49ers forced five turnovers. The Niners finished with 414 total yards, including 190 rushing, possessed the ball for more than 38 minutes.
Dallas also enters the matchup following a victory, escaping Indianapolis with a 27-23 win over the Colts after trailing 23-20 with less than two minutes remaining. Dak Prescott immediately answered with a 46-yard completion to Ryan Flournoy, and Javonte Williams scored from one yard out with 1:08 remaining to put Dallas ahead for good. The Cowboys piled up 508 yards of offense to Indianapolis’ 271, with Prescott completing 21 of 34 passes for 335 yards and two touchdowns, CeeDee Lamb exploding for 10 catches and 195 yards and a score, and Williams rushing for 101 yards. But Dallas made life difficult for itself with two turnovers and 14 penalties for 153 yards.
This is a rivalry that has produced some of the most memorable postseason games in NFL history, from “The Catch” in the 1981 NFC Championship Game to three consecutive NFC title-game meetings between the clubs following the 1992, 1993 and 1994 seasons. San Francisco currently owns the upper hand, leading the all-time series 21-19-1 and having won the past four meetings, including playoff victories of 23-17 after the 2021 season and 19-12 after the 2022 season. The 49ers followed those wins with a 42-10 rout in 2023 and a 30-24 victory in the most recent meeting on Oct. 27, 2024.
Let’s dive further into the numbers and see if we can’t find an additional sweat or two.
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Game Details and How to Watch: 49ers vs. Cowboys
- Date: Sunday, November 15, 2026
- Time: 4:25P
- Site: AT&T Stadium
- City: Arlington, TX
- TV/Streaming: FOX
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Latest Game Odd: 49ers vs. Cowboys
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:
· Moneyline: San Francisco 49ers (-218), Dallas Cowboys (+180)
· Spread: 49ers -4.5
· Total: 55.5
Dallas’ porous defense has forced a massive line movement. This line has flipped completely since opening with the Cowboys laying 1.5. The Total has endured a substantial move as well after opening at 52.5.
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Rotoworld Bet Best Bets
Expert Picks & Predictions: 49ers vs. Cowboys
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NFL calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, betting trends, and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Sunday’s game between the 49ers and the Cowboys:
- Moneyline: NBC Sports is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
- Spread: NBC Sports is recommending a play on the 49ers -4.5.
- Total: NBC Sports is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 55.5.
Here’s why the 49ers -4.5 is one of our two Best Bets:
The case is a total mismatch on the defensive side. San Francisco ranks 2nd in total DVOA (33.2%), 2nd in point differential (+79.0), 2nd in yards allowed (315.62 per game), 2nd in yards per play allowed (5.16), 1st in yards per carry allowed (3.34), 2nd in yards per reception allowed (9.99), and 6th in points allowed (19.5 per game). They’ve allowed just 15 touchdowns (8th-fewest). Dallas is the opposite. The Cowboys rank 29th in defensive DVOA (15.0%), 28th in yards allowed (396.22 per game), 31st in rushing yards allowed (147.44 per game), 30th in yards per carry allowed (4.99), 26th in yards per play allowed (6.18), 26th in points allowed (26.22 per game), and 28th in touchdowns allowed (27). They’ve surrendered 27 touchdowns (28th) through nine games.
Here’s why Javonte Williams Anytime Touchdown is our top Player Prop:
The best prop on the board, and the matchup is the reason. San Francisco ranks 5th in defense versus position against running backs, but the Cowboys’ backfield workload is the story — Williams has cleared this 0.5 touchdown number in 4 of his last 5 games at a 0.8 average and in 8 of his last 10 at 1.1, with a 77.78% season mark at 1.11 per game across nine games. His projection sits at 0.88 touchdowns.
49ers vs. Cowboys: Betting Trends and Stats
- The 49ers are 5-3 against the spread this season
- The Cowboys are 4-5 against the spread this season
- San Francisco is 4-4 to the OVER this season
- Dallas is 6-3 to the OVER this season
Quarterback Matchup: 49ers vs. Cowboys
49ers: Brock Purdy
2026 Statistics: 8GP, 1980 Passing Yards, 17 TDs, 5 INTs, 109.8 RTG, Sacked 8 times
Cowboys: Dak Prescott
2026 Statistics: 9GP, 2381 Passing Yards, 16 TDs, 5 INTs, 95.3 RTG, Sacked 14 times
49ers vs. Cowboys: Top Playmakers
49ers
RB Christian McCaffrey
2026 Statistics: 8GP, 102 carries for 457 Yds, 9 TDs / 36 receptions on 45 targets for 270 Yds, 1 TD
RB Kaelon Black
2026 Statistics: 8GP, 68 carries for 303 Yds, 1 TD / 3 receptions on 7 targets for 4 Yds, 0 TDs
TE George Kittle
2026 Statistics: 8GP, 38 receptions on 53 targets for 483 Yds, 5 TDs
Cowboys
RB Javonte Williams
2026 Statistics: 9GP, 154 carries for 629 Yds, 9 TDs / 24 receptions on 30 targets for 127 Yds, 1 TD
WR CeeDee Lamb
2026 Statistics: 9GP, 70 receptions on 109 targets for 904 Yds, 7 TDs
WR Ryan Flournoy
2026 Statistics: 9GP, 32 receptions on 47 targets for 395 Yds, 2 TDs
49ers vs. Cowboys: Injury Update
49ers
- WR Mike Evans (Achilles) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- WR Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- WR Brandon Aiyuk (personal) has been reinstated and is currently on a two-week roster exemption
- CB Renardo Green (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- CB Deommodore Lenoir (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- DT Gracen Halton (ankle) has been declared OUT of Sunday’s game
- WR Christian Kirk (knee) has been placed on the IR and is OUT for Sunday’s game
Cowboys
- RB Tyler Goodson (knee) has been ruled OUT of Sunday’s game
- WR KaVontae Turpin (ribs) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- WR George Pickens (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- WR Jonathan Mingo (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- TE Jake Ferguson (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- LB DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- LB Donovan Ezeiruaku (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- CB Joey Porter Jr. (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- S P.J. Locke (concussion) has been declared OUT for Sunday’s game
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