Cowboys vs. 49ers: Previewing Preseason Week 1 for San Francisco
By Chris Wilson
![SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch against the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch against the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/783699e8e794c20b9824aa3e1031f56daacd948bf129bfc0b3d3e1c43fac08d3.jpg)
Game info and how to watch
The Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers kick off tonight, Aug. 9, 2018, at 10 p.m. ET.
The Niners’ first matchup of the 2018 NFL Preseason will be televised nationally on NFL Network. If you’re in the Bay Area, the game will be blacked out on NFL Network, but you can catch the game on your local CBS affiliate, KPIX 5, or online via the free live stream at 49ers.com.
The 49ers last faced the Cowboys in a preseason game in 2015, with San Francisco prevailing 23-6. The game was highlighted by Niners running back Jared Hayne — the former rugby star — who led all rushers with 54 yards, and 49ers nose tackle Mike Purcell‘s surprising interception return touchdown.
While Vegas isn’t expecting another three-score victory for San Francisco, the 49ers are currently favored over the Cowboys by 3.5 points in tonight’s matchup between the NFC rivals.
Although Shanahan’s Niners always play to win, the team has more important objectives than merely outscoring the Cowboys in the first preseason game of the year. The 49ers will look to gauge the development of their plethora of rookies and second-year players, build chemistry between existing players and recent additions to the team and test new schemes against a high-caliber NFL opponent.
Hopefully, tonight’s matchup will be an exciting — and injury-free — beginning to 49ers football in 2018.
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All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com, NFL.com and ESPN.com unless otherwise indicated.