The San Francisco 49ers were expected to be one of the most formidable Super Bowl contenders entering the NFL season. Instead, it has been a roller coaster by the Bay, one that continued in their 30-24 victory over Dallas on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 8.
Unable to summon the full force of their dynamic offense for weeks because of attrition to its offensive line, receivers and MVP candidate and running back Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers (4-4) sputtered through a six-point first half and trailed, 10-6, to the Cowboys entering the third quarter.
But in the third, the 49ers scored 21 points behind the play of tight end George Kittle while holding Dallas (3-4) scoreless to jump to a 27-10 lead that lasted until eight minutes remained in the fourth quarter.
Ballgame? No — because it was nearly Dallas’ game. Consecutive touchdown passes from Dak Prescott — who had thrown two interceptions earlier — to CeeDee Lamb pulled the Cowboys within 30-24 with 3:32 remaining. After a stop, Dallas had the ball and a chance for a go-ahead score, but its drive went literally nowhere over four plays, and San Francisco had held on, finally.
Lamb finished with 146 yards on 13 catches; of Prescott’s 38 pass attempts, 17 went Lamb’s direction. Kittle, meanwhile, was targeted just seven times, but he turned them into six catches for 128 yards and a touchdown. A balanced 49ers offense also ran for 223 yards (to just 56 for the Cowboys, continuing their one-dimensional and pass-heavy offense for the season) and two touchdowns.
The 49ers now go into a bye week. They have yet to win consecutive games this season and will next get their chance Nov. 10 at Tampa Bay.
Dallas is in a dire position at 3-4 entering next week’s road game at Atlanta. Prescott is the first Cowboys quarterback to throw multiple interceptions in three consecutive games since 1992.
Final: 49ers 30, Cowboys 24
San Francisco runs out the clock to improve to 4-4, and the Cowboys fall to 3-4, and a second consecutive loss.
San Francisco gets a stop!
Dallas wanted pass interference on fourth down, but the 49ers will get the ball back with a little more than two minutes remaining in the game. Crucially, Dallas has no timeouts left. If San Francisco can get another first down and allow the clock to run, this game is over.
Once down 17, Dallas could take the lead
With 3:15 to play in the fourth quarter, Dallas forces a fourth down and punt from San Francisco and will get the ball back trailing 30-24 with a chance for a go-ahead score.
The Cowboys trailed 27-10 with 8 minutes still to play in the fourth quarter, yet find themselves in position to pull off a stunning rally.
Another wide-open touchdown for CeeDee Lamb!
Aided by a second defensive mistake on as many possessions, CeeDee Lamb caught a wide (and we mean WIDE) open touchdown catch for 20 yards to pull the Cowboys within 30-24 with 3:32 to play. Lamb has his first 100-yard game this season, with 146 yards on 13 receptions.
49ers extend their lead
Anders Carlson’s third field goal of the game, from 41 yards, pushes San Francisco to a 30-17 lead with 4:25 left in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys essentially have to score on every possession remaining to have a chance at a comeback.
If you watched the chaotic finish to Bears-Commanders today, you know anything is possible....
Deebo Samuel is hurt
Samuel, who has 86 total yards tonight rushing and receiving, is questionable to return because of injured ribs, the 49ers announced. But maybe the 49ers will have enough playmakers, even without their dynamic Deebo.
Receiver Ricky Pearsall just ran for a 39-yard gain. Pearsall, if you recall, recently came off the injured list after he suffered a gunshot wound.
Dallas stays in the game
CeeDee Lamb completely lost the 49ers defense with a crossing route and Dak Prescott found the wide-open Lamb for a 7-yard touchdown catch that pulls Dallas within 27-17 with 7:58 to play in the fourth quarter. Getting any closer will require the Cowboys defense to put together consecutive stops -- something that hasn’t happened since the second quarter.
San Francisco is on a roll
The 49ers completed a 21-point, game-changing third quarter with a two-yard touchdown run by Brock Purdy, who squeezes behind his lineman for a 27-10 lead with 36 seconds left in the third quarter.
The 49ers have now scored 24 consecutive points since trailing 10-3 shortly before halftime.
Have a night, George Kittle
The 49ers’ tight end has had a historic night, not only becoming only the fifth 49er ever with 500+ career catches — joining Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens, Roger Craig and Dwight Clark — but also moving into third place all-time in franchise history for receiving yards.
Touchdown, San Francisco
A seven-play drive begun by the interception of Dak Prescott ends with the 49ers leading 20-10. What a surge to start this half for San Francisco, which scored two touchdowns and forced a turnover.
George Kittle — on National Tight Ends Day, a “holiday” he started, no less — catches a two-yard touchdown that was wide open. It looked like offensive pass interference was going to be called on San Francisco for a pick play, but officials picked up the flag.
