The 49ers were in control early against the Cowboys on Sunday night, jumping out to a 14–0 lead in the first half after Kyle Shanahan devised a trick play that worked to perfection.
On the first play of a new drive after a Dallas punt, San Francisco seamlessly executed a trick play that resulted in George Kittle scoring his second touchdown of the first half.
After the ball was snapped to Brock Purdy, the quarterback handed it off to Christian McCaffrey, who pitched it over to a sweeping Deebo Samuel. After the misdirection, Samuel tossed the ball back to Purdy, who launched a pass to Kittle, who had broken free from his coverage.
No one was stopping the star tight end after he hauled in the pass, as he cruised into the end zone uncontested.
WHAT A PLAY 👏
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 9, 2023
KITTLE. AGAIN ‼️
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/iXkCAKhXZB
Purdy remained poised under center as the play developed and took a shot as he released the ball, But he was still able to get it on target to his tight end.
The Lions ran an eerily similar play Sunday against the Panthers, as Jared Goff threw a touchdown to rookie tight end Sam LaPorta on a near-identical trick play.
LET. BEN. COOK.#CARvsDET | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/V1lHuqYM0J
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 8, 2023
Much like the Panthers earlier Sunday, the Cowboys didn’t see the trickery coming, resulting in a huge 49ers touchdown.
