San Francisco 49ers (5-0) – Dallas Cowboys (3-2): 42-10
A play-off atmosphere this Sunday night in the summit meeting between the 49ers and the Cowboys. In the tension, in the intensity put by the two teams, but also in the context since together with the Eagles, they are surely the best teams in the NFC. Finally, because the Californians eliminated the Texans during the last two play-off campaigns, in 2021 and 2022.
Never two without three. The San Francisco defense rose for the occasion, almost intractable against a Dak Prescott without solution. George Kittle was one of the great architects of the victory in attack.
George Kittle of the great days
Once again, Kyle Shanahan prepared his men well. San Francisco opens the game with a surgical 75-yard drive that ends in the end zone via George Kittle. A quarter later, San Francisco drives home the point with a trick play. At the reception ? George Kittle. Who is still there in the third quarter to definitively bury the Cowboys? George Kittle. The Tight End was imperial in the end zone: 3 receptions, 67 yards, 3 touchdowns. At the helm, Brock Purdy confirms again against an opponent of caliber: 17/24, 252 yards, 4 touchdowns.
If the 49ers had to resort to the passing game so intensely, we must pay tribute to the Cowboys who contained Christian McCaffrey rather well (19 races, 51 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 receptions, 27 yards). The running back still took the opportunity to score a fourteenth consecutive game with a touchdown, equaling the NFL record of Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith.
Dallas in distress
Faced with the intensity put in by the Niners defense, Dallas thwarted and multiplied the turnovers. First of all Tony Pollard (8 races, 29 yards, 1 fumble), who sees his ball snatched by an all-pro level Fred Warner (8 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception, 1 pass defended). Then, above all, Dak Prescott who falls back into his mistakes from last season with three interceptions: 14/24, 153 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions. The Texan quarterback never managed to adapt to the excellent coverage of the Niners linebackers.
Despite several good defensive phases, like these three consecutive sterile offensive series in the first period, the star defense finds itself too often on the field. The Niners also execute an effective anti-Parsons plan (4 tackles), in particular by putting two blockers against the Dallas star as soon as she is not aligned against Trent Williams.
After barely three quarters, mass is said. San Francisco even has the luxury of playing Sam Darnold and all the substitutes for a full quarter. The Cowboys also abdicate by sending Prescott to the bench in favor of Cooper Rush. From a play-off atmosphere, the end of the match moves to that of pre-season. Final score 42-10.
Perhaps scariest: San Francisco continues to gain momentum. After scoring 30 points in the first 3 games, then 35 last week against the Cardinals, the Niners have now passed the 40 point mark.
On the Dallas side, the bad evening was total, with injuries to be confirmed for Leighton Van Der Esch, Tyler Biadasz and DaRon Bland: three starters.
It’s tricky 🔄@gkittle46 scores his 2nd TD of the night!
📺 #DALvsSF on NBC
📱 NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/tAUa8Ny2Jo— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 9, 2023
