Cowboys vs. 49ers Sunday Night Football live updates: Highlights ...

One of the NFL’s most intense rivalries will step into the “Sunday Night Football” spotlight in Week 5. 

The San Francisco 49ers, one of two undefeated teams left in the league, will host the Dallas Cowboys in a battle of NFC heavyweights and renewal of a classic NFL rivalry. The two teams have faced off in the postseason each of the past two seasons with the 49ers winning both games by a touchdown or less. They’ve played an NFL-record nine times in the playoffs. 

The 49ers have been arguably the NFL's most impressive team this season, jumping out to a 4-0 start and scoring at least 30 points in each of those first four games. The Cowboys got back on the winning track in Week 4 after a stunning loss to the Cardinals in Week 3. 

USA TODAY Sports will bring you the latest updates, scores, highlights, wild plays, analysis and more throughout the night. Follow along.

Cowboys offense off to slow start

The Cowboys have yet to convert a first down in their first two possessions.

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On third-and-3 Cowboys QB Dak Prescott was sacked by 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa for a 6-yard loss. Bosa’s sack forced Dallas to punt the football back to San Francisco with 6:54 remaining in the first quarter.

The Cowboys have two total yards to start the game. — Tyler Dragon

49ers 7, Cowboys 0: Statement opening drive for San Francisco

The 49ers made a statement on their opening series.

San Francisco went right down the field on a seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that ended on a George Kittle 19-yard TD reception.

Quarterback Brock Purdy went a perfect 4-of-4 passing on the 49ers’ first possession. Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel all had receptions on San Francisco’s opening drive. — Tyler Dragon

What time is Cowboys-49ers? 

The Cowboys and 49ers kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET. The game will air on NBC. The game is also available to stream for free on Fubo.

Here are the USA TODAY Sports’ staff picks for this game:

Lorenzo Reyes: 49ers 31, Cowboys 25 — As much as Dallas has said it remembers the last two times it has faced the Niners, San Francisco is the more balanced and explosive team. Christian McCaffrey’s speed is untouchable and the Cowboys struggled against the rush. Red zone inefficiency is one thing against weaker opponents; the Cowboys can’t leave points on the field against the 49ers.

Tyler Dragon: 49ers 27, Cowboys 20 — This is easily the game of Week 5. The 49ers sent the Cowboys home in the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. San Francisco’s won 14 consecutive regular-season games. The streak won’t end this week. The 49ers are playing like the best team in football.

Victoria Hernandez: 49ers 27, Cowboys 25 — A preview of the NFC championship perhaps? This game is in primetime for a reason. The Dallas defense will pose the toughest challenge yet for the undefeated 49ers. But Christian McCaffrey is on the brink of setting records this season and will power his team to victory.

Jordan Mendoza: 49ers 27, Cowboys 24 — Both teams have elite offenses and defenses, so seeing who can win the battle between the two makes this game must-see TV. It'll be a close game, and I think the offenses will actually expose the defenses a bit, but the 49ers haven't shown any cause for concern this season. San Francisco is rolling, and they get a big win at home to cement themselves as the best team in the NFL.

➤ Full list of USA TODAY's NFL expert Week 5 predictions

Inactive players for 49ers and Cowboys

49ers' inactive players:

• QB Brandon Allen
• OL Nick Zakelj
• DL Kalia Davis
• RB Elijah Mitchell
• TE Brayden Willis
• LB Jalen Graham
• LB Randy Gregory

Cowboys' inactive players:

• QB Trey Lance
• S Israel Mukuamu
• CB Eric Scott
• OL Asim Richards
• WR Jalen Brooks
• TE Peyton Hendershot
• DL Viliami Fehoko

Leave it to Dak Prescott to provide a bit of spicy theatre to set the stage for the Sunday night showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers. 

I mean, who else? 

The highly scrutinized Cowboys quarterback certainly had a downright salty response following last Sunday’s blowout win against the New England Patriots, asked about his motivation for a rematch against the rival that eliminated Dallas from the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. It was all internal. 

"I mean, you just want to (tick) me off going into the week," Prescott said to a reporter who pressed on the theme, mindful of the two interceptions that the quarterback threw in the divisional playoff loss at San Francisco in January. "I appreciate that. I do. Actually, I do." 

Read Jarrett Bell’s complete notebook here. 

Before Micah Parsons became one of the NFL’s best players, he was a nightmare matchup for central Pennsylvania high school coaches. 

As a running back. And kicker. And return man. And, obviously, a defensive end/linebacker. 

At Central Dauphin and Harrisburg, the two high schools where Parsons played, he did it all. It's no wonder, then, that the Dallas Cowboys’ star pass rusher has lobbied for opportunities on the other side of the ball. 

"He could do it all on offense," said Mick Vecchio, the now-retired former head coach of Governor Mifflin, the team that knocked Parsons’ Harrisburg squad out of the Pennsylvania 6A playoffs in 2017, his senior year. "He would run around us, and he would run over you. The combination of the two, just unbelievable. 

"He was a monster among boys." 

Read Chris Bumbaca’s full feature here. 

The Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers  are two historic franchises with 10 combined Super Bowl wins, and even more bad blood, between them.

These teams have faced each other 39 times, and their all-time head-to-head record (including playoff games) is 19-19-1. For an eight-season stretch from 1988 to 1995, the 49ers and Cowboys combined to win six Super Bowls. They've met in the postseason a record nine times, with the Cowboys holding a 5-4 record in those pivotal meetings.

This rivalry is about as close as it gets from an all-time standpoint. Here are some of the best moments.

Cowboys at 49ers odds 

Highlighting Sunday Night Football odds, the San Francisco 49ers are among the best bets for NFL Week 5 as home favorites against the Dallas. The 49ers are favored by 3.5 points, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2023. 

According to the top NFL betting apps, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (+1400) boasts some of the best NFL MVP betting odds in 2023. Both teams have some of the best early Super Bowl betting odds. 

Not interested in this game? Our guide to the NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered with Thursday Night Football odds, Sunday Night Football odds and more. 

 If you’re new to sports betting, don’t worry. We have tips for beginners on how to place bet online. And USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with the online sportsbooks and sports betting sites. — Richard Morin 

All odds provided by BetMGM

Who are the highest paid NFL players at each position? 

We have a complete list at every position: 

How much does the average NFL ticket cost? 

The average price of a 2023 NFL ticket is $377, according to TicketSmarter data. It’s a major jump from last season, when the average price was $235. Leading the NFL in ticket costs is the Las Vegas Raiders, which has an average cost of $582 per ticket. Behind the Raiders are the Super Bowl 57 contestants: the Kansas City Chiefs at $578 and Philadelphia Eagles at $559. Here are the five highest ticket averages:  

• Las Vegas Raiders: $582 
• Kansas City Chiefs: $578 
• Philadelphia Eagles: $559 
• Dallas Cowboys: $545 
• New England Patriots: $534 

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Atlanta Falcons have the cheapest average price at $225. They are followed by the Houston Texans ($236) and Arizona Cardinals ($250). Here are the lowest five ticket averages: 

• Atlanta Falcons: $225 
• Houston Texans: $236 
• Arizona Cardinals: $250 
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $263 
• Tennessee Titans: $265 

— Jordan Mendoza 

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