Niners Nation
They almost had their second turnover in 3 drives to end the first quarter
The San Francisco 49ers were always going to every bag of tricks from the Cowboys off a bye week, and they faced one before the first play from scrimmage. The Cowboys opened the game with trickeration on the opening kickoff return. There was a penalty on the play.
Dallas picked up one first down before Fred Warner stopped the Cowboys on 3rd & 5. Whenever you get a three-and-out to begin the game, confidence levels soar through the roof.
Ricky Pearsall caught the first pass of the game for the Niners, then had an illegal procedure penalty on third down. That set up a 3rd & 6, and Kyle Shanahan dialed up a gem of a call. Deebo Samuel was lined up in the backfield, motioned onto linebacker Eric Kendricks, and ran right by him for a gain of 47 yards.
However, a holding penalty on Kyle Juszczyk prevented the offense from reaching the red zone, which meant an Anders Carlson field goal. Carlson’s kick was good from 50 yards out, giving the Niners a 3-0 lead.
The defense did not force a punt on the ensuing possessions. After they allowed two first downs, Nick Bosa hit Dak Prescott as he was throwing, and Ji’Ayir Brown fielded the throw as if it were a punt for an interception.
The 49ers took over, backed up in their territory, but Jordan Mason was injured on first down. According to the broadcast, Mason said, “I’m good,” so the hope was the injury wasn’t serious.
After a first down throw to George Kittle, Purdy missed Jacob Cowing on a third down which led to a punt.
On Dallas’s third drive, the 49ers drew two holding calls on one play. Fred Warner forced a fumble on 3rd & 10, but the Cowboys recovered it. A 12-yard run moved the chains for Dallas.
