Cowboys loss to Cardinals highlights good Week 3 for 49ers

The 49ers got to take Sunday off after knocking off the Giants on Thursday at Levi’s Stadium.

While San Francisco couldn’t do any more to help themselves, there were a slew of games that could help them in their quest for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Buy 49ers Tickets

We ran through what games and outcomes would most help the 49ers, and most of them went the 49ers’ way. The one that really jumps out though is the Cowboys’ 28-16 loss to the Cardinals in Arizona.

Dallas was a team many pointed to as a potential threat to the 49ers for the top seed in the conference and through two weeks they very much looked the part with a pair of blowout wins that highlighted the strength of their offense and defense.

Neither unit looked strong Sunday in Arizona where the Cardinals controlled all 60 minutes and never trailed. It’s only one week, but Dallas’ struggles against this iteration of the Cardinals makes it difficult to still consider them one of the NFC’s top teams.

The Eagles and Buccaneers are both 2-0 so the result of their game will also have some impact on the 49ers in their hunt for the top seed in the conference. That game will help cap Week 3 on Monday night.

Here are the Sunday games that impacted the 49ers and how they went:

Falcons at Lions

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Final score: Lions 20, Falcons 6

The Falcons are one less undefeated team now. Detroit definitely remains a threat in the NFC though.

Result: Good

Saints at Packers

(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Final score: Packers 18, Saints 17

Another undefeated team down. New Orleans led 17-0 at halftime and caught an L in Green Bay. Yikes!

Result: Good

Bills at Commanders

Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Final score: Bills 37, Commanders 3

Not that Washington was ever going to push for the top seed, but they were undefeated. Now they are resoundingly not.

Result: Good

Panthers at Seahawks

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Final score: Seahawks 37, Panthers 27

Carolina actually gave Seattle a game until the fourth quarter when the home team pulled away. A loss by the Seahawks would’ve earned the 49ers a game in the NFC West race.

Result: Bad

Cowboys at Cardinals

Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Final score: Cardinals 28, Cowboys 16

Is it January already??

Result: Good