After two-quarters of NFC Divisional playoff football, the Dallas Cowboys trail the San Francisco 49ers 9-6. Entering this game, the 49ers were the favorites, and many expected them to dominate them on both sides of the ball.
It's been neck-and-neck so far.
However, the 49ers have gotten two critical turnovers that have stalled two Cowboys drives.
1st Quarter:
To start the game, the 49ers got the ball first and had a chance to make a statement. But after three plays that included a sack from Defensive Tackle Osa Odighizuwa on Quarterback Brody Purdy — they were forced to punt.
On the ensuing possession, the Cowboys got the opportunity to land the first “punch” of the game. But after getting one first down on the drive, they went three-and-out just like the 49ers and were forced to punt.
With the ball back in their hands, the 49ers aimed to get the offense rolling and score first. But after picking up several first-downs and making huge plays — the Cowboys' defense stalled Purdy and the 49ers' offense. They were forced to punt.
The first momentum swing of the game came on the ensuing Cowboys' possession.
After two unsuccessful plays on first and second down, Quarterback Dak Prescott threw an interception and put the 49ers in a scoring position.
This would be his first interception of the postseason.
Following the turnover, Purdy and the 49ers' offense made the Cowboys pay and got on the board first with a Robbie Gould 25-yard field goal.
While it was only three points, the Niners' offense kept making plays and stayed in rhythm. But, shoutout to the defense for coming in clutch when needed.
SF 3 — DAL 0
2nd Quarter:
The Cowboys would take the ball into the second quarter and successfully kept driving on the tenacious 49ers' defense. After 14 plays for 74 yards, the team found the endzone with a four-yard touchdown catch from Tight End Dalton Schultz.
While you would be excited about the touchdown, fans were nervous as they watched Kicker Brett Maher attempt an extra point. But in typical Cowboys fashion, the attempt was blocked.
DAL 6 — SF 3
4️⃣ + 8️⃣6️⃣ = TD! 🙌
Nice work by @dak & @BinghamBaller9!
📺: @NFLonFOX | #DALvsSF pic.twitter.com/PXccVQjjxF
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) January 23, 2023
On their next drive, the 49ers' offense had its moments as they made plays and marched down the field. But again, the Cowboys' defense came up clutch and stalled their drive.
The 49ers were forced to attempt a long 47-yard field goal, but Gould seamlessly nailed it down the middle. Once again, shoutout to the defense for coming through when needed.
DAL 6 — SF 6
With the ball back in their hands, it was shaping up so that the Cowboys would have the final drive before half-time.
Prescott and the high-powered offense moved the ball effortlessly, and their biggest play came when Prescott converted a critical fourth down to keep the drive moving.
However, the 49ers' defense got another turnover and intercepted Prescott off a deflection — which would be his second interception of the game.
They would make the Cowboys pay and drive the field quickly to set up a 50-yard field-goal attempt for Gould. And given how clutch Gould has been, he converted it and put the 49ers up 9-6 heading into halftime.
