The San Francisco 49ers showed why they are the best team in the NFL with a dominant performance against the Dallas Cowboys in Sunday Night Football. The 49ers won 42-10, improving to 5-0 and extending their regular-season winning streak to 15 games. The Cowboys, who had won their previous game against the Cardinals, fell to 3-2 and lost their third straight game against the 49ers.
49ers Offense Too Much for Cowboys Defense
The 49ers offense was unstoppable, scoring on six of their eight possessions and racking up 487 total yards. Quarterback Christian McCaffrey, who is having an MVP-caliber season, threw for 312 yards and four touchdowns, with no interceptions. He also ran for 68 yards and a touchdown, breaking several tackles along the way. His favorite target was wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who caught seven passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns. Samuel also had a highlight-reel play in the second quarter, when he took a short pass from McCaffrey and outran the entire Cowboys defense for a 75-yard touchdown.
The 49ers also had a balanced running game, with Raheem Mostert and Trey Sermon combining for 107 yards on 23 carries. Mostert scored the first touchdown of the game on a 12-yard run in the first quarter. The 49ers offensive line was dominant, giving McCaffrey plenty of time to throw and opening holes for the runners. The Cowboys defense had no answer for the 49ers offense, allowing them to convert 10 of their 14 third-down attempts and all four of their red-zone trips.
Cowboys Offense Struggles Against 49ers Defense
The Cowboys offense, which had been one of the best in the league, was shut down by the 49ers defense. The Cowboys only managed to score one touchdown and one field goal, while turning the ball over three times. Quarterback Dak Prescott had a rough night, completing only 18 of his 36 passes for 189 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. He was also sacked four times and hit several more times by the 49ers pass rush. His receivers did not help him much, as they dropped several passes and failed to get open.
The Cowboys running game was also ineffective, as Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard combined for only 63 yards on 18 carries. Elliott scored the only touchdown for the Cowboys on a one-yard run in the third quarter, but it was too little too late. The Cowboys offensive line was overmatched by the 49ers defensive line, which featured Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw and Dee Ford. The 49ers defense also had a strong secondary, led by Richard Sherman, who had an interception and two pass breakups.
49ers-Cowboys Rivalry Renewed
The game between the 49ers and the Cowboys was a renewal of one of the most intense rivalries in NFL history. The two teams have met nine times in the playoffs, more than any other pair of teams. The 49ers have won six of those games, including the last two in the NFC Championship Game in each of the past two seasons. The two teams have also combined for 11 Super Bowl titles, with the Cowboys winning five and the 49ers winning six.
The game on Sunday night was hyped as a potential preview of this year’s NFC Championship Game, as both teams entered with winning records and high expectations. However, the game turned out to be a one-sided affair, as the 49ers proved that they are currently playing in a class of their own. The Cowboys will have to regroup and try to bounce back next week against the Giants, while the 49ers will look to keep their perfect record intact against the Seahawks.
