The San Francisco 49ers secured a victory against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC divisional round, with a final score of 19-12. This extends the 49ers’ winning streak to 12 games. The Bengals also secured an upset victory against the Buffalo Bills at a snowy Highmark Stadium, with a final score of 27-10.
Why the Cowboys lost this match
The Cowboys were unable to secure a win in their playoff game as an underdog due to a lack of favorable bounces and a less-than-perfect performance. Their last victory as an underdog in the playoffs occurred in 1992 when they played against the 49ers in the NFL Championship Game.
Quarterback Dak Prescott had a subpar game, throwing two interceptions, one of which came at a crucial moment when the Cowboys were driving in for a potential touchdown to break the tie in the first half. This was particularly detrimental as it was one of the few opportunities the team had to make a significant impact in the game.
Additionally, an injury to running back Tony Pollard, who suffered a high-ankle sprain, greatly impacted the Cowboys’ offense as they struggled to maintain their usual level of performance. Prior to the injury, the team averaged 5.8 yards per play with Pollard on the field and only 5.1 yards per play with him on the sidelines, a significant difference in offensive efficiency. Overall, a combination of poor execution and unfortunate circumstances led to the Cowboys’ defeat.
Pivotal moment
The Dallas Cowboys defense made a critical error in the fourth quarter of their game against the 49ers, which ultimately led to a touchdown for the opposing team. With the score tied at nine and the 49ers facing third-and-eight at the Dallas 20, Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson committed a defensive holding penalty.
Wilson grabbed 49ers tight end George Kittle and took him to the ground early in the play, nullifying a potential sack by Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. This mistake allowed the 49ers to continue their drive, ultimately resulting in a touchdown by running back Christian McCaffrey on the first play of the fourth quarter. The offensive line opened up a clear path for McCaffrey to score, making the touchdown an easy one for the 49ers.
Player of the match
The deciding moment of the game was encapsulated in one play – the outcome was uncertain, but ultimately the 49ers emerged victorious by performing well during crucial moments. Despite the Cowboys’ defense dominating the 49ers’ offensive line, the latter managed to hold their ground and give their quarterback, Purdy, just enough time to secure the win.
