In their divisional round matchup with the rival Dallas Cowboys, the San Francisco 49ers were locked in an absolute slobber-knocker. Through almost three quarters of play, the 49ers and Cowboys’ fronts — on both sides of the ball — seemingly landed haymaker after haymaker on each other.
It’s no wonder this was a tight 9-9 affair as we neared the start of the fourth quarter. (Aside from Brett Maher’s miscues, that is.) This was going to be the kind of tense battle where all-worldly offensive skill players would have to make a heroic play to lift their respective teams.
Enter San Francisco’s George Kittle.
As the 49ers tried to get some quality offense rolling, Brock Purdy rolled left and threw across his body to an open George Kittle. The tight end would stop the ball’s momentum with his right hand (!) and somehow bobble it into his grasp (!) as Cowboys defenders closed in.
I still don’t know how the Pro Bowler made this clutch catch:
Kittle caught the spike and gave it to @JerryRice 😂
No one has more fun than @gkittle46
📺: #DALvsSF on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/WBXF8YHjXz pic.twitter.com/CskWCaTrzk— NFL (@NFL) January 23, 2023
Kittle’s catch meant a heck of a lot, too, as the same possession saw Christian McCaffrey eventually punch the ball in for a touchdown to give the 49ers a then 16-9 lead.
📍Paydirt @CMC_22
📺 #DALvsSF on @NFLonFOX
📱 NFL+ https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/MeidRvFISA— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 23, 2023
On one incredible 30-yard reception, Kittle almost surpassed his pre-game over and under of 46.5 receiving yards. As a star tight end, he was expected to deliver an excellent performance by bettors, and he more than delivered.
With this postseason matchup coming down to the wire, the 49ers should be thrilled Kittle was on their side.
NFL fans were astonished by Kittle's concentration on his bobbled catch
George Kittle doing George Kittle things.@gkittle46 x #NFLHawkspic.twitter.com/ISHxZggGuB
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) January 23, 2023
WHAT A CATCH BY GEORGE KITTLE 😱
•••
(🎥: @NFL) pic.twitter.com/YH65NaTEfg— JayOnSC (@JayOnSC) January 23, 2023
GEORGE KITTLE!! REAL FOOTBALL ON OUR SCREENS!pic.twitter.com/Ok4FUjw4kV
— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) January 23, 2023
George. Kittle. pic.twitter.com/zBfdX2YmrI
— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) January 23, 2023
George Kittle. Wow. pic.twitter.com/2kQQskv67C
— John Steppe (@JSteppe1) January 23, 2023
GEORGE KITTLE WHAT A GRAB #FTTB pic.twitter.com/i3rflArRvz
— Jack Delperdang (@jack_delperdang) January 23, 2023
George Kittle with some next level sorcery. Goodness gracious. pic.twitter.com/ombvmQRmrP
— Dean Straka (@DWStraka49) January 23, 2023
George Kittle has decided that this should be a successful drive.
— Nora Princiotti (@NoraPrinciotti) January 23, 2023
