Cowboys vs. 49ers sets record as most-watched Week 5 Sunday Night Football game

The Sunday Night Football matchup between the Cowboys and 49ers was a significant contest within the NFC and the NFL. The ratings proved it too based on the numbers provided by the network on Monday.

According to NBC Sports, Dallas vs. San Francisco averaged 26.1 million viewers last night. That made it the most-watched edition of Sunday Night Football that has ever taken place during Week Five of an NFL season.

Huge Audience for Cowboys-49ers on NBC's Sunday Night Football

Details: https://t.co/eBAgbnP8sG pic.twitter.com/bFqJgfGNFy

— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) October 9, 2023

It’s no surprise that this matchup generated so much viewership. The Cowboys and 49ers are two of the league’s most successful and recognizable franchises while also being two of the best teams so far this season.

However, those 26 million people who tuned in didn’t get to see much of a back-and-forth game. That’s because San Francisco beat up on Dallas by a score of 42-10 to push their undefeated record to 5-0 while dropping the Cowboy’s record to 3-2.

49ers QB Brock Purdy stayed hot with a 70.8% completion rate, 252 yards, and four touchdowns. On the other side, San Franciso stifled the Dallas offense by holding them to under 200 yards while also forcing four turnovers.

These two teams have met up several times over the past few seasons and could very well do so again come the postseason. The NFL might be hoping that they do as well if this matchup is going to bring in this kind of audience.

Cowboys considering IR for LB Leighton Vander Esch after neck injury

The injuries continue to pile up for the Dallas Cowboys. On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that LB Leighton Vander Esch could be placed on injured reserve because of the neck injury he sustained during the Sunday Night Football loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Vander Esch left Sunday’s game in the fourth quarter with a neck injury. It happened when Niners OL Trent Williams drove the linebacker into Micah Parsons.

Cowboys are considering placing LB Leighton Vander Esch on injured reserve due to the neck he injury he suffered during Sunday night’s loss to the 49ers.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 9, 2023

Initial X-rays on his neck Sunday turned out negative. Vander Esch underwent an MRI on Monday for further evaluation.

Through the first five games of the season, Vander Esch has tallied 30 tackles, including 17 solo stops. He has also recovered one fumble. The linebacker left Sunday’s game with 10 tackles, including one for loss.