Jimmy Garoppolo and Dak Prescott battling for a playoff spot in a crucial Week 15 NFC clash is the storyline most would’ve expected heading into the 2020 season’s final stretch. Instead, it’s win-or-go-home for both the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys out in Jerry’s World Sunday as these sub-.500 teams do battle without their starting signal callers.

The 5-8 49ers and 4-9 Cowboys both sit two games out of a playoff spot, but on the other hand sit one loss out of last in the NFC. Not ideal for two clubs who combined for 21 wins last season.

NFL Week 15 Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Oddsmakers have set the 49ers as three-point favourites, which is a key number because San Francisco is 4-2 both straight up and against the spread (ATS) on the road this season and the Cowboys are a league-worst 3-10 ATS, covering once in six home games.

But the 49ers have dropped five of their last six against the Cowboys, and eight of their last 11 against the NFC East. And as favourites Sunday, San Fran can’t cover if they don’t win. Good thing the 49ers may receive All-Pro tight end George Kittle’s help, who returned to practice Wednesday after a month absence.

San Francisco 49ers

Injuries and COVID-19 run-ins have been the reigning NFC champ’s downfall. Garoppolo’s started just six games, while the latest hits are Deebo Samuel being likely out for the year and Raheem Mostert listed as questionable Sunday.

It’s no surprise to find the 49ers in the basement of the NFC West, riding an ugly two-game losing streak at “home” in Arizona. With 246 passing yards per game and then 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, backup quarterback Nick Mullens has not been the answer.

The team numbers aren’t horrific for the 49ers — they rank in the top 20 in both scoring for and against, have a top-five defence in yards against, and rank eight in red zone defence. It’s just not translating to closing out football games.

Dallas Cowboys

A 23-point win over Cincinnati last week must mean the Cowboys are not done just yet with Andy Dalton at the helm, right? Well, yes and no. Dallas scored 30 points for the first time since Prescott, their current leading passer, went down for the season in Week 4. They also gave up 309 yards of offence to the Bengals, a team yet to reach 200 yards in a game after Joe Burrow got injured nearly a month ago.

The Cowboys defence could be getting some key pieces back for Week 15 though. Cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Trevon Diggs have both been activated and could return to a pass defence that ranks sixth in the NFL. Question is, can they help their 32nd-ranked run defence?

Who Will Win 49ers vs. Cowboys?