NFC Wild Card: Dallas Cowboys vs San Francisco 49ers 1/16/22 NFL Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers clash Sunday afternoon in the NFL NFC Wild Card Playoffs at AT&T Stadium. The San Francisco 49ers have not lost in the wild card game since the 2001 season, when Jeff Garcia was quarterback. The Dallas Cowboys have not lost in the wild card game since 2006 when Bill Parcells was head coach.

The San Francisco 49ers have won four of their last six road games. Jimmy Garoppolo is completing 68.3 percent of his passes for 3,810 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Deebo Samuel and George Kittle have combined for 2,315 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, while Brandon Aiyuk has 56 receptions. The San Francisco 49ers ground game is averaging 127.4 yards per contest, and Elijah Mitchell leads the way with 963 yards and 5 touchdowns. Defensively, San Francisco is allowing 21.5 points and 310 yards per game. Fred Warner leads the San Francisco 49ers with 137 tackles, Nick Bosa has 15.5 sacks and Jimmie Ward has 2 interceptions.

The Dallas Cowboys have split their last six home games. Dak Prescott is completing 68.8 percent of his passes for 4,449 yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper have combined for 1,967 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, while Dalton Schultz has 78 receptions. The Dallas Cowboys ground game is averaging 124.6 yards per contest, and Ezekiel Elliott leads the way with 1,002 yards and 10 touchdowns. Defensively, Dallas is allowing 21.1 points and 351 yards per game. Jayron Kearse leads the Dallas Cowboys with 101 tackles, Micah Parsons has 13 sacks and Trevon Diggs has 11 interceptions.

The 49ers are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games in January and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Cowboys are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games and 16-5 ATS in their last 21 games overall. The under is 4-1 in 49ers last 5 games overall. The under is 8-3 in Cowboys last 11 games overall. The 49ers are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings in Dallas and 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.

The San Francisco 49ers are the sort of team that thrives in the playoffs, as they’re an above average defense, and they’re seventh in rushing offense. The 49ers can shorten games and they’re physical. However, I do question Garoppolo and that injured thumb, as it has to be a factor if they get behind and need to start airing it out. The Dallas Cowboys have been shaky at home as it’s where three of their last four losses have come, but they’re arguably the best offensive team in the playoffs and has thrived on turnovers all season. This feels like a game where the Cowboys can create a big play or two on defense and pull away in the fourth quarter. The fact we can get this line at three without a hook feels like a steal.

Give me the Cowboys and the small chalk.