It took until the final game of the season, but the San Francisco 49ers clinched a playoff spot with a 27-24 comeback win in L.A. against the Rams last week.  San Fran’ is headed to Dallas for the wild-card round on Sunday.  The Cowboys routed Philadelphia 51-26 on the road last week.

Dallas is a 3-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with a total of 51.0.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

It’s been all Dallas in this head-to-head as the Cowboys have won six of the last seven games between these teams, although they didn’t play this year.  The total has trended high, with the Over hitting in seven of the last eight games in the all-time series.

San Francisco ended the season strong, winning four of their final five games.  They were better on the road than at home this year, going 6-3 outside the Bay Area compared to 4-4 at Levi’s Stadium.  The 49ers were 9-8 against the spread in 2021, but they’ve covered in just one of their last six games against America’s Team.  The total went Under in four of the 49ers last five games.

The Cowboys went 5-1 straight up and ATS over their last six games to claim the NFC East this year.  They’ve been a great cover option, going 13-4 ATS overall.  The total has gone Over in eight of Dallas’ last 11 home games.

San Francisco 49ers

Thanks to multiple injuries, the 49ers stumbled out of the gate for the first month and a half of the season, but an 8-3 run to end the year helped San Francisco squeak into the playoffs.  With the 49ers down 17-0 on the road at one point last week, it didn’t look good, but a 24-yard field goal by Robbie Gould and game-ending interception from rookie Ambry Thomas secured a playoff spot.  Jimmy Garoppolo, who was playing through a sprained thumb, passed for 316 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel was a Swiss Army knife last week.  Samuel had 95 receiving yards and added another 45 yards and a touchdown on the ground, but his most impressive play was a trick 24-yard touchdown pass to Jauan Jennings.  Jennis had 94 receiving yards in the game and two TD catches.

The 49ers are relatively healthy heading into Sunday.  Garoppolo’s thumb is reportedly better and not expected to hinder him.  Star left tackle Trent Williams missed last week’s game due to an elbow injury suffered in the Week 17 win over Houston.  Williams was close to returning for last week’s game, so it’s tough to see him missing this week’s contest.

Dallas Cowboys

Despite the Eagles sitting multiple starters last week, Dallas’ blowout win was still impressive as it was on the road against a divisional opponent.  It was one of the best performances Dak Prescott has ever given.  Prescott completed 21 of 27 pass attempts for 295 yards and a career-high five TDs.  His 37 TDs on the year is a new franchise record.  Ezekiel Elliott picked up 87 rushing yards, while Cedrick Wilson (119 receiving yards) and Dalton Schultz (21 yards) each caught two touchdowns passes.

Running back Tony Pollard was give last week off to rest an injured foot he has been dealing with since early December, but he is expected to be back on Sunday.  Left tackle Tyron Smith and rookie linebacker Micah Parsons are also due to return after being removed from the COVID list this week.

NFL Prediction: Who Will Win 49ers vs. Cowboys?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

49ers Team Leaders

SF

Touchdowns	Deebo Samuel 15
Rushing	Elijah Mitchell 963
Passing	Jimmy Garoppolo 3810
Receiving	Deebo Samuel 77
Sacks	Nick Bosa 15.5
Interceptions	Jimmie Ward 2

DAL

Touchdowns	Ezekiel Elliott 12
Rushing	Ezekiel Elliott 1002
Passing	Dak Prescott 4449
Receiving	CeeDee Lamb 79
Sacks	Micah Parsons 13
Interceptions	Trevon Diggs 11

SF

Touchdowns	Deebo Samuel 2
Rushing	Elijah Mitchell 169
Passing	Jimmy Garoppolo 535
Receiving	Deebo Samuel 10
Sacks	Nick Bosa 4
Interceptions	K'Waun Williams 1

DAL

Touchdowns	Amari Cooper 1
Rushing	Ezekiel Elliott 31
Passing	Dak Prescott 254
Receiving	Dalton Schultz 7
Sacks	Dorance Armstrong 0
Interceptions	Anthony Brown 1

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Cowboys Team Leaders

SF

Touchdowns	Deebo Samuel 15
Rushing	Elijah Mitchell 963
Passing	Jimmy Garoppolo 3810
Receiving	Deebo Samuel 77
Sacks	Nick Bosa 15.5
Interceptions	Jimmie Ward 2

DAL

Touchdowns	Ezekiel Elliott 12
Rushing	Ezekiel Elliott 1002
Passing	Dak Prescott 4449
Receiving	CeeDee Lamb 79
Sacks	Micah Parsons 13
Interceptions	Trevon Diggs 11

SF

Touchdowns	Deebo Samuel 2
Rushing	Elijah Mitchell 169
Passing	Jimmy Garoppolo 535
Receiving	Deebo Samuel 10
Sacks	Nick Bosa 4
Interceptions	K'Waun Williams 1

DAL

Touchdowns	Amari Cooper 1
Rushing	Ezekiel Elliott 31
Passing	Dak Prescott 254
Receiving	Dalton Schultz 7
Sacks	Dorance Armstrong 0
Interceptions	Anthony Brown 1

Weather

temp	51
condition	dome
wind	West 4mph

Injuries

San Francisco

Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (LB)

day-to-day Knee - 30 / 01 / 22

Dre Greenlaw (LB)

day-to-day Calf - 30 / 01 / 22

Arden Key (DL)

day-to-day Head - 30 / 01 / 22

Jimmy Garoppolo (QB)

Prob Sun Thumb - 26 / 01 / 22

Jeff Wilson Jr. (RB)

Ques Sun Ankle - 26 / 01 / 22

Elijah Mitchell (RB)

Prob Sun Knee - 26 / 01 / 22

Jeff Wilson Jr. (RB)

Ques Sun Ankle - 22 / 01 / 22

Azeez Al-Shaair (LB)

Prob Sat Knee - 19 / 01 / 22

Dre Greenlaw (LB)

Prob Sat Groin - 19 / 01 / 22

Ambry Thomas (CB)

Prob Sun Knee - 19 / 01 / 22

Dallas

Francis Bernard (LB)

Prob Sun Groin - 13 / 01 / 22

Jayron Kearse (S)

Prob Sun Hamstring - 13 / 01 / 22

Sean McKeon (TE)

Prob Sun Neck - 13 / 01 / 22

Israel Mukuamu (CB)

Out indefinitely Hamstring - 13 / 01 / 22

Keanu Neal (LB)

Out Sun Chest - 12 / 01 / 22

Nahshon Wright (CB)

Prob Sun Personal - 12 / 01 / 22

T.J. Vasher (WR)

I-R Undisclosed - 12 / 01 / 22

Anthony Brown (CB)

Out indefinitely Illness - 06 / 01 / 22

Donovan Wilson (S)

Prob Sat Illness - 06 / 01 / 22

Ezekiel Elliott (RB)

Prob Sat Knee - 04 / 01 / 22

Injuries

San Francisco

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (LB)	day-to-day	Knee - 30 / 01 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Flannigan-Fowles was removed from the NFC championship game due to a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will return.
Dre Greenlaw (LB)	day-to-day	Calf - 30 / 01 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Greenlaw exited the NFC championship contest due to a calf injury, and it is up in the air if he will return.
Arden Key (DL)	day-to-day	Head - 30 / 01 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Key exited the NFC championship game due to a head injury, and it is unknown if he will return.
Jimmy Garoppolo (QB)	Prob Sun	Thumb - 26 / 01 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Garoppolo is expected to take on the Rams in the NFC championship despite lingering thumb and shoulder injuries.
Jeff Wilson Jr. (RB)	Ques Sun	Ankle - 26 / 01 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Wilson Jr. has a low-ankle sprain, and it is unknown if he will take part in the NFC championship versus the Rams.
Elijah Mitchell (RB)	Prob Sun	Knee - 26 / 01 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Mitchell is hampered by a knee injury, but it is not expected to affect his status for the NFC championship versus the Rams.
Jeff Wilson Jr. (RB)	Ques Sun	Ankle - 22 / 01 / 22	2-0	0-2	+ -
Wilson Jr. is hobbled with an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will hit the field against the Rams for the NFC championship game.
Azeez Al-Shaair (LB)	Prob Sat	Knee - 19 / 01 / 22	2-0	0-2	+ -
Al-Shaair has a knee injury, but it is projected that he will take on the Packers in the NFC divisional round.
Dre Greenlaw (LB)	Prob Sat	Groin - 19 / 01 / 22	2-0	0-2	+ -
Greenlaw is managing a groin issue, but it is likely that he will be available for the NFC divisional round versus the Packers.
Ambry Thomas (CB)	Prob Sun	Knee - 19 / 01 / 22	2-0	0-2	+ -
Thomas is battling a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will suit up versus the Rams for the NFC championship game.

Dallas

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Francis Bernard (LB)	Prob Sun	Groin - 13 / 01 / 22	1-0	1-0	+ -
Bernard is expected to face the 49ers in the NFC wild-card game despite a groin injury.
Jayron Kearse (S)	Prob Sun	Hamstring - 13 / 01 / 22	1-0	1-0	+ -
Kearse is likely to be available for the NFC wild-card game versus the 49ers despite a hamstring issue.
Sean McKeon (TE)	Prob Sun	Neck - 13 / 01 / 22	1-0	1-0	+ -
McKeon is projected to take the field for the NFC wild-card game against the 49ers despite a neck injury.
Israel Mukuamu (CB)	Out indefinitely	Hamstring - 13 / 01 / 22	1-0	1-0	+ -
Mukuamu has landed on the injured reserve list due to a hamstring injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Keanu Neal (LB)	Out Sun	Chest - 12 / 01 / 22	1-0	1-0	+ -
Neal is hindered by injuries to his chest and elbow, and it will affect his availability for the NFC wild-card game versus the 49ers.
Nahshon Wright (CB)	Prob Sun	Personal - 12 / 01 / 22	1-0	1-0	+ -
Wright is tending to a personal matter, but it is anticipated that he will be available for the NFC wild-card game against the 49ers.
T.J. Vasher (WR)	I-R	Undisclosed - 12 / 01 / 22	1-0	1-0	+ -
Vasher has been designated for the IR/Non-Football Injury list with an unannounced issue.
Anthony Brown (CB)	Out indefinitely	Illness - 06 / 01 / 22	1-1	1-1	+ -
Brown has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be decided when he will return to action.
Donovan Wilson (S)	Prob Sat	Illness - 06 / 01 / 22	1-1	1-1	+ -
Wilson is managing an illness, but it is likely that he will take on the Eagles on Saturday.
Ezekiel Elliott (RB)	Prob Sat	Knee - 04 / 01 / 22	1-1	1-1	+ -
Elliott is hobbled by a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will take the field Saturday versus the Eagles.