Welcome back to another week of football, and this time it’s gonna be televised for most of the masses! Week 4 is upon us, and the San Francisco 49ers are back at home facing the Dallas Cowboys. The game kicks off at 1:25 p.m. PT on FOX, with Joe Buck, Troy Aikman on the call. It is almost entirely a national broadcast, with all but a handful of notable markets showing the game. Check out the broadcast maps here.
The 49ers are coming off back-to-back losses to the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks. They had some positives in each game, but there was a lot of ugliness, particularly against Seattle. They lost each game by 19 points. The first one they cut the lead to a touchdown, before Carolina pulled away. The second one they were behind from the start, and it was not really as close as the 19-point deficit would otherwise indicate.
The 49ers enter the game with Jimmie Ward out due to a quadricep strain. He will likely be replaced by Keith Reaser, with Rashard Robinson also coming off the bench. Tight ends Vance McDonald and Garrett Celek are both listed as questionable after limited work all week. Blake Bell will likely see a bit of a boost in playing time, even if both McDonald and Celek are active.
The Cowboys are coming off back-to-back wins over Washington and the Chicago Bears. Against Washington, it was more about the defense setting up the Cowboys offense. Against Chicago, the Cowboys offense put together a strong effort, with Ezekiel Elliott rushing for 140 yards. In both games, Dak Prescott was solid, making necessary plays, and avoiding mistakes. He hasn’t been peak Tony Romo thus far, but he’s showing the Cowboys a lot more than any Romo replacement has ever shown.
This week, the Cowboys come into the game dealing with an assortment of injuries. Left guard La’el Collins suffered a toe injury that could need surgery, but for now at least has him ruled out. Wide receiver Dez Bryant suffered a hairline fracture to his knee against the Bears, and sat out all three practices this week. He is listed as questionable, but is unlikely to play. Left tackle Tyron Smith missed all three practices due to a back issue that cost him the Cowboys Week 3 game. He is listed as questionable as well.
The 49ers entered the week as a 2.5-point underdog to the Cowboys. The line climbed to three, but came back down with all the Cowboys’ injury news. You can find it ranging between one and three points at this point, although they primarily at two or 2.5 points, depending on the sportsbook. I’ve got the 49ers covering a 2.5-point spread, and think they can win it outright on the backs of Carlos Hyde and a strong home defensive performance. The 49ers defense looked great in Week 1, but has struggled the past two weeks. I think this defense will show up at home.
Nuts and bolts
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Game time: Sunday, October 2, 1:25 p.m. PT
TV channel: FOX
Online streaming: NFL Game Pass
Radio: 810-AM, 107.7 (Ted Robinson, Tim Ryan) | Full listings
Spanish Radio: KTRB 860-AM (Jesus Zarate, Luis Landero/Gabriel Sotelo)
Matchup history: 8-11
Announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews (sideline reporter)
Enemy blog: Blogging The Boys
Twitter: @ninersnation
Facebook: Go ahead and give us a like!
49ers regular season schedule
Week 1: vs. Los Angeles Rams - 28-0 WIN
Week 2: @ Carolina Panthers - 46-27 LOSS
Week 3: @ Seattle Seahawks - 37-18 LOSS
Week 4: vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, October 2
Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals, 5:25 p.m., CBS Thursday, October 6
Week 6: @ Buffalo Bills, 10:00 a.m., FOX, Sunday, October 16
Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:05 p.m., FOX, Sunday, October 23
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: vs. New Orleans Saints, 1:05 p.m., FOX, Sunday, November 6
Week 10: @ Arizona Cardinals, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, November 13
Week 11: vs. New England Patriots, 1:25 p.m., CBS Sunday, November 20
Week 12: @ Miami Dolphins, 10:00 a.m., FOX, Sunday, November 27
Week 13: @ Chicago Bears, 10:00 a.m., FOX Sunday, December 4
Week 14: vs. New York Jets, 1:05 p.m., CBS Sunday, December 11
Week 15: @ Atlanta Falcons, 1:05 p.m., FOX, Sunday, December 18
Week 16: @ Los Angeles Rams, 1:25 p.m., FOX Saturday, December 24
Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, January 1