Santa Clara – This matchup was supposed to be challenging, yet the 49ers embarrassed another team on the schedule. The Dallas Cowboys were predicted to be their toughest opponent but instead they failed miserably. The Niners remain undefeated along with the Philadelphia Eagles just five weeks into the season.
San Francisco’s 42-10 victory over the Cowboys says a lot about what this team is doing this year. Last week Christian McCaffrey scored four touchdowns, today George Kittle scored three. Kittle recorded a career-high three-touchdowns in one game for the first time in his career. Kittle tied the teams single-game record for three touchdowns by a tight end along with Bernie Casey (1962) and Vernon Davis (2009) who was in attendance for today’s game.
“I was real excited about us this week,” said Kyle Shanahan. “I knew it was our biggest game so far this year, as far as nationally and just media wise and the hype. But just watching them all Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, they were so locked in all week. They didn’t make too big of a deal of this game. They seemed so ready to go and kind of form a coaching perspective, we didn’t feel like we had to do much all week, but just coach them, show the film, put in a game plan and our guys were ready.”
The 49ers earned their fifth consecutive thirty-point game this season. Brock Purdy’s performance keeps getting better every week. He went went 17 of 24 for 252 yards for four touchdowns and zero turnovers. Purdy has not thrown an interception this season. Purdy has so many options on offense, it make sense that one player can dominate in one game.
“It feels like everyone’s just on a mission,” said Purdy. “Like the mindset is right where it needs to be. Everyone’s so detailed in what they do. The play calls are great. So, it’s like all I have to do is go out there and do my job and that’s it and just play ball. Obviously we feel good where we’re at, but there’s still areas we can still get better at.”
San Francisco’s defense has been a huge factor in their success. If the offense is clicking then the defense is also soaring. The 49ers scored three times in the first half, Kittle had two touchdowns and McCaffrey rushed for a 1-yard touchdown. Dak Prescott threw for one touchdown in the second quarter before his offense completely collapsed.
Prescott went 14 for 24 for 153 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. With .38 seconds left in the first period, Fred Warner forced the Cowboys to fumble on Dallas’ 9 yard line. McCaffrey rushed up the middle to start the second but Jourdan Lewis snatched the ball out of his hands to force the fumble. Warner sacked Prescott to force the Cowboys to punt.
The 49ers defense has held opposing offenses without a 100-yd. individual rusher in 32-consecutive games dating back to Week 9 of 2021 [vs. Arz. (11/7/21)]. San Francisco’s defense collectively shutdown Prescott and his offense. Brandon Aubrey kicked a 50-yard field goal, that ended Dallas’ scoring for the day.
“Yeah, guys were sticking in coverage,” Arik Armstead said. “We made it tough on [Dallas Cowboys QB] Dak Prescott and we forced him into a lot of turnovers which changed the game and made that lopsided score.”
“It’s funny because coach [Defensive Coordinator, Steve] Wilks said is last night,” said Warner. “‘you guys don’t know how good you truly can be.’ We see the talent in the room and what our potential is but it’s about doing it week in and week out. To do it this game and on this stage against a really good football team, it really means a lot.”
The Niners are the first team in the NFL to score 30-or-more points in Weeks 1-5 since the Los Angeles Rams did so in 2018 [33 points Week 1 at Oak. (9/10/18); 34 points Week 2 vs. Arz. (9/16/18); 35 points Week 3 vs. LAC (9/23/18); 38 points Week 4 vs. Min. (9/27/18); 33 points Week 5 at Sea. (10/7/18)].
San Francisco’s 42 points vs. Dal. marks the 8th-consecutive regular season game that the team has scored 30-or-more points dating back to Week 16 of 2022, which is the team’s longest streak in franchise history. The 49ers are the first team in the NFL to score 30-or-more points in 8-consecutive regular season games since the Denver Broncos in 2012-13 (Week 15, 2012 – Week 5, 2013) and the fifth team in NFL history to score 30-or-more points in 8-consecutive regular season games.
Photo by 49ers/Twitter
