Free Pick: San Francisco 10-7 at Dallas 12-5 1/16/22

The 49ers showed a lot of character, grittiness, and guts in beating Los Angeles 27-24 in overtime to get into the playoffs. After a 3-5 start to the season, they rebounded by winning 7 of their last 9, and they are poised to come into Dallas and pull off an upset. The Cowboys are more talented and have a ton of weapons, but they have a tendency to choke in these big-game situations. Let’s look at the lines.

TOTAL TEAM POINTS:

San Francisco: 23.5 Total Team Points The Niners are trying to get healthy and are hoping Jimmy Garoppolo, Elijah Mitchell, and Trent Williams will be available. Garoppolo was heroic against the Rams and made some big plays when they had to have them. He needs to have a big game if the 49ers are going to pull off an upset. The Dallas defense is much improved, but they aren’t great. I’m taking San Francisco slightly UNDER 23.5 Total Team Points

Dallas 27.5 Total Team Points The Cowboys’ offense is scoring 31 points per game and they have so many weapons. Dak Prescott has had a tremendous season throwing for 4,449 yards and 37 touchdowns. They have a thousand yard rusher in Ezekiel Elliott and the receiver corps is elite. San Francisco is talented on defense and they are holding teams to only 311 yards per game. The key to beating Dallas is to put pressure on Prescott and keep him from getting into a rhythm. They have 48 sacks with Nick Bosa leading the way with 16 on his own. I like Dallas UNDER 27.5 points.

OVER/UNDER 51 Total Combined Team Points I think this game will be in the high 40’s. I’m going UNDER 51 combined points.

POINT SPREAD: Dallas is a 3-point favorite Most people are giving the 49ers a solid chance to knock off the Cowboys. They went into LA in a must-win situation, and beat the Rams in overtime. They have the ability to pull off an upset. Meanwhile, Dallas has a tendency to choke in these kinds of pressure situations. The DUDES are split on this one.

AARON’S PICK: 49ers +3

PAPA DUDES PICK: Cowboys -3