San Francisco 49ers (2) – Dallas Cowboys (5): 19-12
In a tight and physical match, it was the defenses that flexed their muscles and imposed their rhythm on the opposing attacks. In this game, it’s the best defense of the season, that of the 49ers, who won (19-12) from his duel by stealing two balls from the Cowboys. Losses of balls that cost the Cowboys points and perhaps the final victory.
On offense, the 49ers will have done the bare minimum to go one more round. The Purdy dream continues.
Key moment: the start of the second half
What if Dallas had missed its chance early in the second half? As the offense punt on its first series, Dallas is lucky to see its special team force and recover the fumble. Even starting from 20 opposing yards, the Cowboys do not really benefit and are content with a field goal to return to equality.
The visitors then miss a golden opportunity to take control of the match. Without knowing it, they will not really have the opportunity until the final whistle, running each time after the score.
Movie of the game
The two teams offered a physical and fierce opposition during the first act thanks in particular to two defenses which largely dominated the opposing offensive lines. Proof of this is the start of the match and the first series with 3 forced punts in a row.
The fourth series remains in this defensive dynamic with Dak Prescott (23/37, 206 yards, 1TD, 2INT) who is intercepted, in his camp, on a 3e attempt because of a bad throw. The premises then starting from 21 opposing yards. Except that the constant pressure from Dallas and Micah Parsons prevents Brock Purdy (19/29, 214 yards) from finding the fault and his team must settle for a field goal (3-0).
The Dallas attack is recovering well and continues with the best offensive series of this first half: 14 actions, 74 yards and almost 8 minutes of possession. A drive where Dallas hits two 3se attempts and above all a daring 4&1 while the team was on the opposing 19 yards and could have attempted the field goal to take 3 points (finally with Brett Maher…). Two actions later, Prescott finds Dalton Schultz (5rec, 27 yards) alone for a short reception and the first touchdown of the game. But as against Tampa, Brett Maher misses the extra point and Dallas leads “only” 6 to 3.
San Francisco is starting to find rhythm on offense with a freer Deebo Samuel. But the Texans defense leaves little space and succeeds most of its tackles. Once again, the Californians are limited to a field goal (6-6).
Just before halftime, the Cowboys have the opportunity to take the advantage and find themselves at the gates of 20 opposing yards. Dallas takes all the risks, pushed by the failures of its kicker, and plays in particular a 4e attempt. Although successful, the visitors lost the ball in stride on a ball intercepted by Fred Warner. A “nightmare” series for Dallas which also loses Tony Pollard for the evening.
The attack of the locals does not miss this ammunition and goes up the field in less than a minute putting Robbie Gould in position to register a field goal from 50 yards at the last second. Kyle Shanahan’s men then lead 9-6 at the break.
On the resumption, Dallas sees luck smiling at him. After a punt, the special team forces the fumble and allows the attack to start from 20 opposing yards. If the defense of the 49ers proves its solidity by forcing the Cowboys to take only one field goal, Dallas can nevertheless have a smile on seeing his kicker finally succeed in a kick (9-9).
After another exchange of punts, the 49ers finally go on offense. Well helped by a few penalties against their opponents, the locals go back 91 yards and see Christian McCaffrey (10 races, 35 yards, 6 receptions, 22 yards) entering the endzone on a short run (16-9). San Francisco scores its first touchdown of the game at the very start of the last quarter!
The two teams continue with a field goal each (19-12) before entering the last three minutes of the match.
Once again the defense of the 49ers is needed by blocking the three attempts of their opponents. Mike McCarthy then decides to punt with just over 2 minutes on the clock. A risky choice because San Francisco only returns the ball one last time with 45 seconds to play, 94 yards to go and zero time-outs for Dallas…
Inevitably the mission is impossible against this defense and a Dalton Schultz who also multiplies the small errors… Dallas bows again before the conference final, when the 49ers and Kyle Shanahan return there!
The MVP: Fred Warner
While the entire 49ers defense can be commended for their performance, one of their captains in particular stood out in this game.
With 9 tackles including 1 for loss, 1 deflected pass and above all 1 interception in his red zone, Fred Warner was once again excellent and above all decisive. His interception undoubtedly saved points on the clock tonight.
Physical, fast and with an impeccable reading of the game, he will still be an asset next week in the NFC conference final.
The flop: Dak Prescott
After being excellent against the Buccaneers in the Wild Card, Dak Prescott fell back into his bad habits tonight. If he is not the only one to have disappointed in attack on the Cowboys side, the quarterback with two interceptions thrown is necessarily the number 1 responsible for this defeat.
Twice under pressure, Prescott threw ill-fitting passes that were expensive with a field goal following the first in his camp and a trip without a point in the opposing 20 yards with his second…
The stat: 2
2 like the 2 interceptions thrown by Dak Prescott. In a match where the two teams were close offensively (30 yards gained, almost the same average yards per action, same success in the red zone, etc.), it was unsurprisingly the loss of balls that made the difference. .
And now ?
With this defeat and this new disillusionment, the Cowboys could experience a hectic offseason on the sidelines. Dan Quinn and Kellen Moore are in demand, Jerry Jones is moody… Will Mike McCarthy still be there next year?
San Francisco will play the conference final in Philadelphia. A clash that promises between number 1 and number 2 of the NFC. But if the 49ers are to regain the Super Bowl, they will undoubtedly have to offer more on offense against a more dangerous Eagles team than Dallas.
