NFL Playoffs Divisional Round: Cowboys vs. 49ers Predictions, Sunday, January 22, 2023

Hardcore NFL fans are going to be feeling some nostalgia when the San Francisco 49ers host the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Round at 6:30PM ET on Sunday, January 22. These are two storied franchises and a spot in the NFC Championship Game will be on the line! With that in mind, find out how we think this one will play out in our Cowboys vs. 49ers betting preview. We're going to give you some in-depth analysis, as well as the NFL predictions from our predictive analytics model and world-class artificial intelligence. The Super Bowl is right around the corner, so we're pulling out all the stops. Let's have a fun couple of weeks, as this is one of the best parts of the year for sports bettors. 

This is the ninth Dallas-San Francisco postseason matchup. The Cowboys have won five of the eight, but the Niners’ victory in 1981 featuring “The Catch” is one of the most famous games in football history.

The winner of this game would host the NFC title matchup should the New York Giants upset Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday night.

RELATED: Predictions for every NFL Divisional Round matchup

If you haven't already, you should consider signing up for DraftKings ➡️ here ⬅️ as you can turn a $5 pre-game moneyline bet on any game into a bonus $200 if your team wins. 

Cowboys vs. 49ers Predictions

• Predicted score: 49ers 25 - Cowboys 21
• No edge on either team to cover the 3.5-point spread
• 63% chance the 49ers win on the moneyline
• 51% shot Cowboys-49ers goes Over 45.5

For the best NFL computer picks, check out our Cowboys vs. 49ers data predictions. They are constantly updating based on hundreds of different data points.

Cowboys vs. 49ers Odds and Betting Lines

Will The Cowboys Cover The Spread?

Can Dak Prescott build off Monday night’s lights-out effort against a quality Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense or will he revert to playing like he did in forgettable road losses at Jacksonville and Washington down the stretch?

Prescott was golden against the Bucs and quieted critics, going 25 of 33 for 305 yards and four touchdowns, with a rushing score to boot. It was his first game without a turnover in eight games and he connected with eight different receivers.

The Niners’ defense ranked No. 2 against the run but 22nd against the pass.

---

The last pick of the 2022 Draft, Niners rookie quarterback Brock Purdy showed some early jitters in Saturday’s 41-23 win over the Seattle Seahawks before settling down and displaying the type of poise it’ll take to win three more games and a ring.

The only issue is that Purdy, who threw three touchdown passes and also ran for a score, is facing a day and night situation when it comes to the opposing defense. The Cowboys will be aggressive and Purdy must limit the type of mistakes that decide big games like this one.

---

Why The Over Will Hit

The Cowboys played four straight December games featuring at least 50 points, three of which eclipsed 70, and were firing on all cylinders Monday night after a disaster regular-season finale. It probably won’t take 30 points to win this one, but they’re capable.

As for the Niners, Purdy is well beyond his deer-in-headlights moment and should be much more comfortable with an elimination game under his belt.

RELATED: Betting The Over Is Sexy, But Betting The Under Is Smart