Cowboys vs. 49ers 2023 Prediction: Can Dallas Upset San Francisco In Divisional Playoff Game?

The Dallas Cowboys are scheduled to visit the San Francisco 49ers in the final game of the 2023 divisional playoffs. The Cowboys are four-point underdogs in a rematch from last year's wild-card round.

Can the Cowboys upset the 49ers? Dallas showed on Wild-Card Weekend that it can beat anyone when the team is playing its best.

The Cowboys had the most dominant performance of the wild-card round, soundly defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-14. The game was even more one-sided than the final score indicates. Dak Prescott thoroughly outplayed Tom Brady, going 25-of-33 for 305 yards and four touchdowns. Dallas hit Brady six times, sacked him twice and picked him off in the end zone.

The 49ers might've lost in the wild-card round had they faced the Cowboys team that showed up Monday night in Tampa Bay. It could be a different story Sunday in the Bay Area.

Dallas only has five days off in between playoff games. After beating the Seattle Seahawks 41-23, San Francisco has seven days off and gets to stay at home. NFL teams that have five days of rest are 9-24 against opponents that have a week off, according to ESPN.

The Cowboys haven't consistently played their A-game in the second half of the season. The 49ers, on the other hand, have been virtually unbeatable for nearly three months.

San Francisco is riding an 11-game winning streak, beating opponents by an average score of 31-15. The 49ers have scored more than 30 points in eight of those games and given up 20 points or fewer nine times.

The Kansas City Chiefs are the only team that has been able to defeat the 49ers at Levi Stadium. San Francisco's average margin of victory in home wins is 17.5 points. All of the 49ers' home wins have come by more than five points, and all but one have come by 13 points or more.

Brock Purdy and San Francisco's offense presents a much greater challenge than Brady and Tampa Bay. In games where Purdy has taken the majority of snaps, the 49ers are 7-0, averaging 34.6 points per game. After posting a 107.3 passer rating during the regular season, Purdy had a 131.5 rating in his postseason debut, in addition to rushing for a touchdown.

The Seahawks only sacked Purdy once and hit him three times. San Francisco's offensive line can neutralize Micah Parsons and Dallas' pass rush, which is the strength of the Cowboys' defense.

Prescott had thrown at least one interception in seven straight games. Prescott's 15 interceptions tied for the league lead in the regular season. San Francisco's 20 picks were also tied for the most. There's a good chance that at least one of Prescott's passes will be taken away by a 49ers defender.

Tony Pollard had 77 rushing yards on 15 attempts in Tampa Bay. The Cowboys are 7-1 when Pollard rushes for more than 75 yards. No running back has even hit the 70-yard mark against San Francisco.

The 49ers beat the Cowboys 23-17 at AT&T Stadium in last year's playoff game. Jimmy Garoppolo had another one of his mediocre playoff performances, throwing for 172 yards and an interception in San Francisco's win.

If Purdy is anything close to what he's been as the 49ers' starter, the quarterback and San Francisco's No. 1 ranked defense might cruise to the NFC Championship Game.

Prediction: 49ers over Cowboys, 30-17