Two of the most storied franchises in the NFL will clash on Sunday night as the Dallas Cowboys make their way to Santa Clara, California, to face the San Francisco 49ers. Both teams began the season with aspirations of competing for the Super Bowl, yet their performances thus far have not reflected that potential.
The Cowboys are reeling from a significant 47-9 defeat at home against the Detroit Lions, and their once formidable defense has shown signs of decline throughout the season. Meanwhile, the 49ers have struggled with inconsistency over the past seven weeks, largely due to a series of injuries affecting key players. They have suffered losses in two of their last three games.
Which team will manage to reverse its fortunes on Sunday night? Stay tuned to NBC News for the latest updates from Levi’s Stadium throughout the evening.
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 remaining in the fourth quarter, Dallas successfully compels San Francisco to a fourth down, resulting in a punt. The Cowboys will regain possession, currently behind 30-24, presenting them with an opportunity to take the lead.
Despite being down 27-10 with 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys have positioned themselves to execute a remarkable comeback.
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 accumulated a total of 86 yards in rushing and receiving during tonight’s game, is listed as questionable to return due to rib injuries, as announced by the 49ers. However, the team may still possess sufficient playmakers, even in the absence of their dynamic player, Deebo.
Receiver Ricky Pearsall has just achieved a notable 39-yard gain. It is worth mentioning that Pearsall recently returned from the injured list following a gunshot wound he sustained.
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 initiated by Dak Prescott’s interception culminates in the 49ers taking a 20-10 lead. This marks an impressive start to the second half for San Francisco, which has managed to score two touchdowns and create a turnover.
On National Tight Ends Day, a “holiday” he himself established, George Kittle secures a two-yard touchdown reception that was completely unguarded. Although it appeared that offensive pass interference might be flagged against San Francisco for a pick play, the officials ultimately decided to retract the penalty.
Dak Prescott throws second interception
The Cowboys quarterback tried to fit a ball into a tight window down the left sideline and was burned by a diving, acrobatic play by Deommodore Lenoir, who intercepts the pass. It gives the 49ers a short field, and means Prescott has now thrown two interceptions in three consecutive games.
49ers take the lead
The 49ers have taken a 13-10 lead after their first drive of the second half. San Francisco found a level of offensive execution at halftime that wasn’t there in the first half. Highlighted by George Kittle’s 43-yard reception and rumble down to the goal line, and punctuated by Isaac Guerendo’s short touchdown run, the 49ers are in front. Kittle is up to 99 yards receiving on four catches.
Halftime: Cowboys 10, 49ers 6
Both teams faced challenges as they approached halftime. Following a brief possession where the Cowboys retained the ball for merely 36 seconds before punting with 1:01 left in the first half, the 49ers failed to capitalize on the opportunity.
What initially appeared to be a promising offensive drive for San Francisco concluded with them falling out of field goal range. Quarterback Brock Purdy seemed to attempt to halt a pass as it left his hands, resulting in a fumble and a loss of seven yards.
The first half was characterized by an unusual lack of comfort and control for both teams. For the 49ers, a noteworthy aspect was the performance of three receivers—George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Ricky Pearsall—who had previously missed considerable time due to injuries but collectively amassed 146 yards upon their return to the lineup.
Cowboys 10, 49ers 6
Anders Carlson makes his second field goal of the night, from 44 yards, to pull San Francisco within four points with 1:30 left before halftime.
Leaders for SF so far:
- Brock Purdy: 9-13 for 121 yards
- Isaac Guerendo: three carries for 38 yards
- Deebo Samuel: two catches for 52 yards
Cowboys avoid a turnover
Dallas receiver Jake Ferguson fumbled on a short completion near the goal-line with 2:56 left in the second quarter, but was able to recover it and save three points in the process. On the next play, the Cowboys kick a field goal from 29 yards for a 10-3 lead over San Francisco.
The penalty comes back to bite San Francisco
The holding penalty that wiped out Deebo Samuel’s long touchdown catch-and-run does, ultimately, cost the 49ers points after their drive ends with a failed fourth-down conversion. Samuel was open on a shallow route going across the field but Brock Purdy threw behind him.
The 49ers are now 2-5 on third down, and 0-1 on fourth.
49ers’ touchdown negated
Oh, that could hurt. A holding penalty by 49ers tight end Eric Saubert while blocking for quarterback Brock Purdy negates Purdy’s 66-yard touchdown pass to Deebo Samuel. Samuel accelerated brilliantly up the right sideline for the apparent touchdown.
Cowboys 7, 49ers 3
Ezekiel Elliott runs for a 1-yard touchdown to put Dallas ahead after a strong drive that demonstrated some good play design to avoid the rush off the edge by 49ers star Nick Bosa. So far, Dallas has nine first downs to two by the 49ers.
49ers punt after second drive
Dallas ranks 10th this season in lowest third-down conversion percentage allowed and they force a punt on San Francisco’s second drive.
Injury scare for 49ers
Jordan Mason, the running back who has stepped in for the injured Christian McCaffrey, sustained an injury and remained on the ground following a 6-yard gain in the first quarter; however, he was able to leave the field unaided.
Reports from the stadium indicate that Mason is prepared to return to the game, which is noteworthy for San Francisco’s offensive strategy.
Dak Prescott throws 7th interception of season
For a third consecutive game the Cowboys quarterback throws an interception. This time, it ends his team’s second drive after five plays and gives the 49ers the ball back with 4:27 to go in the opening quarter.
BOOYAH!@_Tiig2 x #94Niners#DALvsSF on NBC pic.twitter.com/9wQfkXInRA
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 28, 2024
‘Sunday Night Football’ is under way
Melissa Stark reports from the sidelines that Deebo Samuel, the versatile playmaker for the 49ers, is active for tonight’s game after spending two nights in the hospital this week due to fluid in his lungs. He had received treatment for pneumonia following a game in Week 7.
Samuel’s impact on the San Francisco offense is significant, as it was considered one of the most formidable to defend last season due to its diverse strategies for creating space on the field. However, with Christian McCaffrey still unavailable, quarterback Brock Purdy faces a more constrained field. It remains to be seen whether Samuel can influence the game positively.
What the loss of Brandon Aiyuk means for 49ers
49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk suffered tears to both his ACL and MCL during last week’s defeat against Kansas City, which has resulted in the conclusion of his season after only seven games.
Last season, Aiyuk was the leading receiver for San Francisco, recording 75 receptions and accumulating 1,342 receiving yards, which earned him a second-team All-Pro designation. It has been reported that he sought a trade during the offseason and did not participate in training camp while negotiating for a new contract. This extension was finalized on August 30, securing a four-year, $120 million agreement that places him alongside Tyreek Hill as the fifth-highest paid wide receiver in the NFL based on average annual value ($30 million). Aiyuk’s season concludes without a touchdown and with only one game exceeding 50 receiving yards.
Cowboys offense leaning heavily on Prescott and Lamb
The Cowboys’ offensive strategy has been characterized by a significant emphasis on passing, as evidenced by their 65.6% pass rate, which ranks as the second highest in the NFL, according to TruMedia, trailing only Seattle’s 66.5%.
Quarterback Dak Prescott currently ranks third in the league for passing yards per game, averaging 267.0. However, his performance this season has been somewhat inconsistent, as he is on track to achieve the lowest passer rating of his career at 85.5, along with his lowest completion percentage (63.4%) since 2017.
In the previous season, All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb established franchise records with 135 receptions, the highest in the NFL, and 1,749 receiving yards. This season, he continues to lead the Cowboys with 32 receptions and 467 receiving yards, while also being tied for the team lead with two touchdown receptions.
San Francisco offense dealing with heavy dose of injuries
The 49ers have faced significant injury challenges throughout this season, and the defeat in Week 7 against the Chiefs was no exception. San Francisco suffered the loss of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk for the remainder of the season, while wide receiver Deebo Samuel managed only four plays before departing due to pneumonia.
Additionally, tight end George Kittle exited the game with a sprained foot. The team was already contending with the absence of running back Christian McCaffrey, who is dealing with calf and Achilles issues, as well as wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who is sidelined due to a hip injury.
49ers, Cowboys looking to end postseason slump
Dallas and San Francisco collectively secured 10 of the first 30 Super Bowl championships; however, neither franchise has claimed a title in the past 28 years. Throughout this period, both teams have consistently reached the playoffs, with Dallas making 13 appearances and San Francisco 12. Yet, neither has succeeded in advancing to the ultimate victory.
Since their triumph in Super Bowl XXX, which marked the Cowboys’ fifth championship, Dallas has recorded a playoff record of 5-13 and has not progressed to the NFC Championship Game. In contrast, San Francisco has reached the NFC Championship Game on eight occasions and has participated in the Super Bowl three times (in 2012, 2019, and 2023), yet they continue to pursue their sixth Super Bowl title.
Key stretches coming up for both teams
The pressure intensifies in Week 8 as both teams are set to encounter challenging schedules in the weeks that follow Sunday’s matchup.
• Among Dallas’ next four opponents, three are currently at the top of their respective divisions, with the exception being Philadelphia, which remains one game ahead of the Cowboys in the NFC East.
• San Francisco will have a bye next week; however, starting in Week 10, the 49ers will contend with five consecutive opponents who possess winning records. This includes the Seahawks, who are leading the NFC West by a single game in Week 11, and the AFC East-leading Bills in the Sunday Night Football game in Week 13.
Slow start nothing new for 49ers
San Francisco’s sluggish beginning is a familiar scenario, as the team currently holds a 3-4 record for the third time in four seasons. In their two prior instances of starting at 3-4, the 49ers managed to recover and reach the NFC Championship Game, suffering defeats against the Rams in the 2021 season and the Eagles in the 2022 season.
Following the 49ers’ defeat to Arizona in Week 5, their record fell to 2-3. Head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed confidence that the team’s past slow starts would not influence their response moving forward.
“I think every year’s different and we’ve got to write our own story this year and it has nothing do with other years.”
Cowboys and 49ers both off to rocky starts
San Francisco and Dallas finished last season seeded No. 1 and No. 2 in the NFC, each with a 12-5 record. While the Cowboys were ousted in the Wild Card, losing 48-32 to the Packers, the 49ers reached the Super Bowl, where they lost in OT to the Chiefs.
Both teams entered this season with expectations of staying at the top of the NFC but enter Week 8 outside of the NFC playoff picture:
• Dallas is 3-3, its worst start since 2020 (coach Mike McCarthy’s first season in charge). Following their bye in Week 7, the Cowboys are third in the NFC East behind the 5-2 Commanders and the 4-2 Eagles — both of whom won this past week.
• San Francisco is 3-4, trailing Seattle (4-3) by a game in the NFC West, although the 49ers won at the Seahawks in Week 6 (they play again in SF in Week 11). The 49ers are 1-2 in the division after blowing double-digit fourth-quarter leads to the Rams and Cardinals.
