San Francisco 49ers: 3 Bold predictions vs. Cowboys in Week 7

As the San Francisco 49ers try to make it seventh time lucky in the search for their first win, we make three bold predictions for Sunday’s contest.

At the start of the season, predicting the San Francisco 49ers to keep it close against the Dallas Cowboys may have been considered a bold prediction. But, even though six weeks into the season the 49ers are yet to win a game, few will be surprised if San Francisco is competitive until the end with the Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium.

San Francisco set an NFL record last week as the Niners lost their fifth successive game by three points or less, falling to a 26-24 defeat to the Washington Redskins.

Kyle Shanahan’s team could, but for a few bounces of the ball, be 5-1. Expect the Cowboys, therefore, to take the Niners very seriously. Anticipating the 49ers to keep it close may not be bold, but here we make three bold predictions for the 49ers for Sunday’s contest in the Bay Area.

3. Double-digit catches for Kittle

San Francisco is going with rookie C.J. Beathard, who replaced Brian Hoyer as starter in the second quarter of the loss to Washington. The 2017 season has now developed into something of an extended look at the rookie third-round pick. Thankfully for Beathard, he has a familiar face to throw to in the form of tight end George Kittle, who was taken by the Niners two rounds after Beathard.

Kittle was a favorite target of Beathard’s at Iowa and is enjoying an impressive rookie season so far. He has seen 17 targets over the last two games (nine vs. Indianapolis, eight vs. Washington) and is the top candidate to be Beathard’s safety net as he gets adjusted to starting in the NFL. Dallas ranks No. 29 in the league in defending tight ends according to Football Outsiders, meaning an extremely profitable afternoon for Kittle could well be on the cards.

2. 49ers keep Zeke under 100 yards rushing, but not receiving

You can still run on San Francisco, but not in the same way you could last year. The Niners are ranked No. 13 in rush defense by Football Outsiders and Washington was held to 2.8 yards per carry last week. That could make it tough sledding for Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott, who will play as his on-off suspension saga rumbles on.

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Elliott, though, is a multi-faceted running back who is very proficient at catching the ball out of the backfield.

San Francisco has had significant problems stopping the short passing game and, per Football Outsiders, only two teams have been worse at defending running backs in the passing game, while Washington’s Chris Thompson caught four balls for 105 receiving yards against them.

The 49ers will look for returning first-round pick Reuben Foster to ease some of their problems in that area but, with the rookie likely to be eased back in, there should still be plenty of opportunities for Elliott to rack up yardage through the air even if he struggles on the ground.

1. Beathard will go over 300 yards

It is way too early to say whether Beathard can be a success in the NFL, but how he performs against a lackluster Cowboys defense will provide a pretty big indication. Though there were plenty of errant passes, Beathard was able to put up 245 yards in under three quarters against a much improved Washington defense that had held Derek Carr and the Oakland Raiders to just 10 points in their previous home game.

With the Dallas defense ranked No. 30 in the league by Football Outsiders and 21st in the NFL in yards per game, the chances of Beathard improving on his showing in the capital appear to be good.

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Expect some mistakes from a player who missed throws high and showed inconsistencies scanning the field but, at home against a vulnerable defense, this a situation in which Beathard has an opportunity to build on the positive things he showed against the Redskins and put San Francisco at least in a position to contend for a win.