The San Francisco 49ers put on a show in the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys, orchestrating a 21-point surge that carried them to a 30-24 victory, despite a tense fourth quarter. With the win, the Niners head into their bye week at 4-4, reigniting their playoff hopes and setting up what they hope will be a strong second half of the season.
Quarterback Brock Purdy, coming off a challenging game against the Kansas City Chiefs, found his rhythm after halftime. He led three consecutive touchdown drives in the third quarter, turning a 10-6 halftime deficit into a 27-10 lead and effectively taking control of the game.
“We’re a confident team,” said left tackle Trent Williams. “We know that we haven’t played up to our standard that many times in these first eight games. Today showed what we’re capable of when we stay disciplined and execute.”
Third Quarter Takeover
The 49ers seized control right out of the gate in the second half. Rookie Isaac Guerendo capped a 60-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run, giving the Niners their first lead. Soon after, cornerback Deommodore Lenoir intercepted Dak Prescott, setting up a Purdy-to-Kittle 2-yard touchdown pass. George Kittle had a standout night, recording six catches for 128 yards, playing a pivotal role in the win.
The momentum continued with another impressive drive, this time ending with Purdy scoring on a 2-yard sneak, completing the third-quarter blitz that seemed to put the game out of reach.
“I saw the rest of our team was clicking, and I just had to do my job,” Purdy said after the game. “In the third quarter, I kept it simple but also played aggressive.”
Purdy finished with an efficient 18-for-26 performance, throwing for 260 yards and a touchdown, putting his three-interception outing against Kansas City behind him.
Cowboys’ Late Surge Falls Short
Dak Prescott, who finished with 243 yards and two touchdown passes to CeeDee Lamb, nearly pulled off a comeback in the fourth quarter. Lamb had a career night with 13 receptions for 146 yards, helping bring the Cowboys back within six points. But after getting the ball back with just over three minutes to go, Prescott’s offense stalled, ultimately sealing the Cowboys’ fate.
Linebacker Fred Warner echoed the frustration of nearly giving the game away in the final minutes. “We made it a game when it didn’t need to be,” he said. “It was about going out there and finishing the game, and we did that.”
Cowboys’ Struggles Continue, McCarthy Under Pressure
The Cowboys, returning from their bye, were hoping to turn a corner after a blowout loss to the Detroit Lions. Instead, they struggled to establish any rhythm until the fourth quarter, with Prescott throwing two interceptions for the third straight game—a feat no Cowboys quarterback has matched in over three decades.
Despite the late rally, Dallas looked out of sync on both sides of the ball, a fact not lost on head coach Mike McCarthy, who’s under increased scrutiny in the final year of his contract.
“We’re 3-4; that’s the reality of where we are,” McCarthy said. “I’m disappointed. We obviously felt we were going to come in here and do what we needed to do to get the win, and we came up short.”
Injury Concerns for the 49ers
Injuries continue to be a hurdle for San Francisco. Running back Jordan Mason re-aggravated his shoulder injury, wide receiver Deebo Samuel exited in the fourth quarter with rib issues, and linebacker Dee Winters left with a concussion in the second half. The bye week couldn’t come at a better time for the Niners, who will look to rest and recover before heading into the second half of their schedule.
With their third-quarter fireworks and gritty defensive stand in the fourth, the 49ers demonstrated the potential that many believe could carry them deep into the playoffs.
