49ers vs. Cowboys: 5 bold predictions for Wild Card round of NFL playoffs

The 49ers visit the Cowboys in a high-profile Wild Card matchup in the NFL playoffs, and let’s break down five bold predictions for this rivalry game.

It must have been incredible coming up with bold predictions for those legendary San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys postseason matchups way back in the early 1990s.

The last time these two teams squared off against each other in the playoffs was in January of 1995, and the Niners would go on to win the Super Bowl after one of those epic NFC Championship games between these two heated rivals.

And while the 2022 installment of the San Francisco-Dallas rivalry might not feature anything close to the same kind of context, it’s nevertheless good these two teams are facing off against each other in a win-or-go-home matchup.

Time for some bold predictions, right?

49ers vs. Cowboys: 5 bold predictions for Wild Card weekend

The Cowboys own the league’s No. 1 offense from the regular season but have difficulty defending the run and giving up yards after the catch, two of the 49ers’ biggest strengths.

Turnovers can play a key role, too.

Let’s break down some of the predictions based on the context.

No. 5: 49ers will force at least one fumble by Dak Prescott

Dallas has been excellent in the turnover department this season, forcing a league-best 34 defensive takeaways and finishing tied for the top turnover differential this season (plus-14).

So it might come as something of a shock quarterback Dak Prescott led all offensive players this season with a whopping 14 fumbles this season, just shy of one per game. Prescott also had at least one fumble in four of the Cowboys’ final five regular-season games, and he also had a multi-fumble game three times over the course of 2021.

Granted, the Niners may have to get lucky with the bounces if Prescott fumbles again on Sunday.

But, whether it’s from a strip-sack or knocking the ball loose from a scrambling Prescott trying to pick up yards, don’t be surprised if San Francisco is able to jar the football from Prescott’s grasp during the game.

At least once, potentially more.