49ers vs. Cowboys Sunday Night Football highlights
The Week 5 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers on “Sunday Night Football” was hyped as a battle between two of the best teams in the NFC. Dallas was seeking revenge for two straight postseason losses at the hands of a rival dating back to the 1990s.
But the Niners used their 42-10 drubbing of the Cowboys to show they are currently playing in a class of their own. The Philadelphia Eagles and the Niners — the matchup of last year’s NFC championship game — are the two remaining unbeatens in the NFL.
Tight end George Kittle caught three passes — all touchdowns — from Brock Purdy, who finished with four passing scores and moved to 10-0 as a starter in the regular season. Kittle’s second touchdown catch of the game was on a trick play that went for 38 yards.
Christian McCaffrey scored a touchdown in a 14th straight game, tying the record set by Hall of Famer and Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith in 1995.
Linebacker Fred Warner forced a fumble in the first quarter and later intercepted Dak Prescott, who finished with three interceptions. The Cowboys offense was reliant on Prescott’s arm for any firepower; they were outgained on the ground, 170-57.
It was the second-largest defeat during Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy’s tenure.
The Niners have won 15 straight games in the regular season, which is a franchise record.— Chris Bumbaca
49ers vs. Cowboys highlights
The Niners led 14-0 before the Cowboys got their initial first down of the night and were never really threatened on the way to matching a franchise record with their 15th straight regular-season win and earning their fifth 5-0 start
49ers vs. Cowboys winners-losers
WINNERS
49ers: The Sunday night game was billed as two of the best teams in the NFC. The showdown ended with a resounded statement made by the 49ers.
The 49ers dominated the Cowboys, especially in the second half, and won in decisive fashion.
Brock Purdy: Purdy was efficient, delivered the ball with accuracy and controlled the offensive side of the football for the 49ers.
Purdy was 17-of-24 passing for 252 yards, he tossed four touchdowns and had no interceptions, resulting in a 144.4 passer rating.
Purdy checked out in the fourth quarter with the game out of hand.
Fred Warner: Playing under the bright lights, Warner displayed why many consider him the best inside linebacker in the NFL. Warner was all over the field on defense and seemingly always around the football. He played a complete game at linebacker.
Warner compiled a team-best eight tackles, one sack, one interception and one forced fumble in the victory.
George Kittle: Kittle’s catch-to-touchdown ratio was perfect Sunday night.
All three of Kittle’s catches resulted in touchdowns. Kittle’s final stat line: three catches, 67 yards and three touchdowns.
Christian McCaffrey: The versatile running back had a modest 78 yards from scrimmage, but he did reach the end zone for the 14th consecutive game (including the playoffs).
LOSERS
Dak Prescott: Prescott had an interception in three straight possessions in the second half. He was eventually subbed out of the game for Cooper Rush when the contest was out of hand. Prescott completed 14-of-24 passes for 153 yards. He had just one touchdown and three interceptions.
Cowboys offense: The Cowboys only had eight first downs. Dallas had as many turnovers (four) as converted third downs (four). They were only able to gain 197 total yards and were held to just three points in the second half during a massive San Francisco scoring streak.
Cowboys defense: The Cowboys came into Week 5 with the second-ranked defense in the NFL, allowing 259 yards per game. Dallas surrendered 421 yards to the 49ers offense. The 49ers scored 21 points in each half. — Tyler Dragon
Painful defeat for Cowboys
The injuries just keep piling up for the Cowboys. Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch suffered a neck injury during the 26-yard touchdown run by Jordan Mason early in the fourth quarter. The sixth-year veteran, who has had neck issues before, lay on the turn for several minutes while being attended to by medical personnel. Ultimately, Vander Esch rose to his feet and walked the the locker room without assistance.
Officially, the team declared that Vander Esch’s status was “questionable” to return to the game.
Unofficially, with Mason’s touchdown expanding the 49ers lead to 42-10, there is hardly an apparent reason for him to return.
Vander Esch, incidentally, led the Cowboys with 10 tackles (4 solo) when he departed the game. — Jarrett Bell
