In a highly anticipated battle between NFC heavyweights, the San Francisco 49ers landed haymaker after haymaker on their way to a standing eight-count against the Dallas Cowboys.
George Kittle caught three of Brock Purdy’s four touchdown passes while the 49ers’ defense harassed Dak Prescott under the lights in Santa Clara on Sunday Night Football. The 49ers sacked Prescott four times while picking him off three times.
Buy 49ers TicketsWith another blowout win on their resume, the 49ers are proving to be one of the top teams in the NFL with a 5-0 record after tearing through the Cowboys, 42-10.
Following their win over the Cowboys, here’s a look into the notebook from Sunday night.
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First Quarter
Similar to all of their previous games, it didn’t take long for Brock Purdy and the 49ers offense to get rolling. Despite the Cowboys being touted as one of the best units in the league, Shanahan and Purdy cut up the field on their way to a score on the opening drive.
Purdy looks unfazed by the pressure of Micah Parsons while finding George Kittle for his first touchdown catch of the season. The Purdy-Brandon Aiyuk connection is picking up right where it left off. On the opening drive of the game, Aiyuk caught two balls from Purdy.
On the other side of the ball, the 49ers’ defense continues to stay tight, forcing a three-and-out. The 49ers limited the Cowboys to only 50 seconds on the field before punting the football.
Although it’s early, the Cowboys defensive line is holding Christian McCaffrey in check. Two short runs from McCaffrey force the 49ers to punt for the first time on Sunday night,
Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw are flying around the field early. After a stop in the backfield on Tony Pollard, Nick Bosa forces another punt by sacking Prescott. Bosa bumps his sack total to two on the season.
With the ball back, Purdy takes a hard hit from Jayron Kearse and gets back up quickly. Again, McCaffrey is held in check.
The 49ers defense is outplaying every unit on the field. In the final minute of the first quarter, Warner and the 49ers’ defense force a fumble on Tony Pollard. After a review, the Pollard fumble stands and the 49ers will have a positive field position.
Well, the 49ers aren’t able to capitalize off the turnover. As McCaffrey powered toward the goalline, Jourdan Lewis made a great play on the ball while nearly getting ran over. Lewis squeaked the ball from McCaffrey and the Cowboys were able to recover the ball and take possession only trailing by seven.
Second Quarter
Again, the 49ers defense is causing problems for Prescott and the Cowboys. With their back against the goalline to start the second quarter, Warner built on his impressive performance with a sack against Prescott. Warner flushed Prescott out of the pocket and cornered him after getting in his throwing lane.
After the Cowboys’ defense has been tabbed by many as one of the best defensive groups in the league, it feels like the 49ers are taking that as a challenge to prove they’re actually the best defense in the league. While Sunday Night Football and the rivalry with the Cowboys are all factors, the 49ers’ defense is playing with some juice early. Prescott looks rattled.
With good field position, Shanahan went into his bag of tricks with a flea flicker pass to an open George Kittle for a 38 touchdown to move the game to 14-0.
Despite putting together a scoring drive, the Cowboys’ offense still looks uncomfortable across from the 49ers.
With the offense rolling again, the 49ers march down the field another time ti increase their lead by two touchdowns. McCaffrey is inevitable, scoring a touchdown in his 14th straight game. With another touchdown, the 49ers are bordering blowout watch barring a response from the Cowboys.
Despite trailing by 14, the Cowboys’ offense stalled again for another three and out.
Third Quarter:
Coming out of halftime, there’s pressure on the Cowboys to deliver some points before this game gets out of reach for Mike McCarthy’s squad. After being quiet all game, Lamb finally gets involved with a big gain over the middle of the field.
Although Lamb set the Cowboys up, McCarthy’s squad can’t get close to punching in a touchdown. McCarthy opted to kick a field gooa, cutting the 49ers lead to 11-points.
Parsons has been quiet all night, Shanahan and the 49ers’ offensive line are clearing out the picket for the offense as they march down the field again. Purdy is officially dicing the Cowboys’ defense up. He’s taken everything the Cowboys’ defense has given him. His timing is on tonight as he hits open routes at the stem deep over the middle of the field.
With another chance to score, McCaffrey finds Kittle for his hat-trick touchdown. After going scoreless through four games, Kttle now has three touchdowns in a single game. All three of his catches have gone for touchdowns.
Blowout watch is officially here. Again the 49ers’ defense is lurking. With the Cowboys desperate to make a play on offense, the 49ers make them pay. The 49ers picked off a long throw for Prescott.
Jordan Mason has given McCaffrey some serious cover against the Cowboys. While he hasn’t cracked off an explosive play, he’s been consistent, something the 49ers need in the backfield.
Fourth Quarter:
After chipping away at the Cowboys’ defense, the 49ers put the game on ice with Brock Purdy’s fourth touchdown pass — this time to Kyle Juszczyk. With the score now stretched to 35-10, the 49ers are sending a statement to the rest of the NFC.
Adding to that message, Prescott tossed another interception on a tip drill with Deommodore Lenoir and Fred Warner. Following the interception, the 49ers have the chance to pile on the score and put the Cowboys away.
Mason made another impression on this game with a big run from 26 yards out for a touchdown on the first play after Prescott’s interception. McCarthy and the Cowboys look dejected.
With the score already 42-10, Prescott throws his third interception of the day on a bad pass, but great play from 49ers backer Oren Burks.
Following another pick from Prescott, Shanahan is comfortable enough to send in Sam Darnold and the second unit.
