Matchups and predictions for the Eagles NFC East Rivals in Week 5 of the 2023 NFL season

49ers offense versus Cowboys defense

The 49ers do this thing where they throw screens and short passes to their wide receivers until the other team cries themselves into dehydration-induced cramps. They have shifty guys like wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. There's also running back Christian McCaffrey. They also have the incredibly physical tight end in George Kittle who can move the ball.

Kittle doesn't try and run around people. He tries to run straight through them. 

This is a good Cowboys defense. Now, they haven't played any offenses of note, but they're pretty good. Not great... But good.. That can't be denied.

They have a few guys that are dangerous. One is incredibly so... edge rusher Micah Parsons. 

He’ll be spending his battling All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams. We’ve seen the Eagles All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson shut down some really really good edge rushers in the past. Williams might be equally adept at doing the same. 

The 49ers are good at running the ball. There’s a good chance they take a page out of the Eagles playbook, and run the ball straight at Parsons to take him out of the run-stopping game. Trying to run away from or around Parsons has proved fatal for teams in the past, so going straight at him would probably be a good idea. 

Prediction: Cowboys +4

The 49ers probably come out of this one with a victory, but it’ll be hard-fought. If this game does come down to Dak having to make a play, the Cowboys are going to be in a very bad spot. It’ll be each team’s first real test. They’re both fine teams, so it’ll be close with the 49ers getting the win.

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