SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Christian McCaffrey scored on a go-ahead 2-yard run within the fourth quarter and San Francisco’s protection did the remainder, sending the 49ers to their second straight NFC title recreation with a 19-12 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
The 49ers (15-4) used back-to-back lengthy scoring drives within the second half to put on down the Cowboys (13-6) and win their twelfth straight recreation. San Francisco superior to play the Eagles within the NFC title recreation subsequent Sunday in Philadelphia after shedding in that spherical to the Rams a yr in the past.
“Man, we’re simply excited that we gained,” rookie 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy stated. “Everybody did their half. It’s playoff soccer, it’s by no means straightforward, however we’re transferring on.”
The Cowboys misplaced for the report seventh straight time within the divisional spherical and have did not make it to the NFC title recreation since profitable their fifth Tremendous Bowl title following the 1995 season.
Dak Prescott threw two interceptions and Brett Maher missed his fifth further level of the postseason when his try was blocked. He later made two discipline objectives.
The Cowboys had a shot once they took over at their very own 18 with 2:59 remaining, trailing 19-12 after Robbie Gould’s fourth discipline purpose of the sport capped a virtually eight-minute drive.
However Prescott threw two straight incompletions and was sacked on third down. Coach Mike McCarthy opted to punt on fourth-and-10 with all three timeouts left.
Purdy began the following drive with a 16-yard completion to George Kittle and San Francisco did not give the ball again to Dallas till there have been 45 seconds left. The Cowboys took over at their 6 and by no means received shut from there.
Purdy, the final choose within the draft final April, improved to 7-0 as a starter since changing an injured Jimmy Garoppolo early in Week 13. He went 18 for 28 for 215 yards with no turnovers towards the Cowboys, becoming a member of Joe Flacco (2008) and Mark Sanchez (2009) as the one rookie QBs to win two playoff begins.
“Wow. Brock Purdy getting us to the NFC championship recreation? I imply, he’s solely gained I feel like seven in a row now. Good job, Brock,” Kittle stated. “He’s enjoying at a excessive stage, getting our greatest gamers the soccer, he’s superior and assured within the huddle. He’s simply doing an excellent job.”
The 49ers took the lead on the primary play of the fourth quarter when McCaffrey capped a 91-yard drive with a 2-yard run.
The drive featured a juggling 30-yard catch by Kittle and a pair of defensive holds towards Dallas — together with one on Donovan Wilson close to the purpose line that negated a third-down sack.
“I used to be like, you understand what, how can I make this as dramatic as potential?” Kittle stated of his spectacular catch. “Simply shout-out to Brock: I truly wasn’t even in development and he nonetheless discovered me, in order that’s all that issues. So I simply recognize him giving me a shot at catching the ball.”
Maher made his second discipline purpose of the sport when he transformed from 43 yards out to chop San Francisco’s result in 16-12.
The NFL’s prime two scoring groups over the previous 13 weeks had hassle getting going because the defenses led by All-Professionals Nick Bosa of San Francisco and Micah Parsons of Dallas managed the play.
The Niners picked off Prescott twice within the first half, turned these into discipline objectives by Gould and led 9-6 on the break.
The Cowboys scored the one TD of the primary half with Prescott connecting with tight finish Dalton Schultz for the third time this postseason. However Maher’s low extra-point try was blocked by Samson Ebukam.
Maher received some redemption when he made a 25-yard discipline purpose that tied the sport at 9 early within the third quarter after Ray-Ray McCloud fumbled a punt return on the San Francisco 21.
JUST FOR KICKS
The Cowboys’ determination to stay with Maher after his 4 missed further factors final week seemed questionable when he missed the early further level. Maher’s 5 missed PATs are the second most by any NFL kicker within the playoffs. Roy Gerela missed six tries in 43 makes an attempt within the Nineteen Seventies for Houston and Pittsburgh.
There had been a dustup pregame when Maher was warming up. Trent Williams and different 49ers gamers tried to intrude along with his makes an attempt from San Francisco’s aspect of the sector, resulting in a short argument.
INJURIES
Cowboys: RB Tony Pollard left late within the first half after injuring his left ankle whereas getting tackled following a reception. He did not return to the sport. … DT Calvin Watkins (calf) left within the first half.
49ers: DE Charles Omenihu (indirect) left briefly within the first half however returned to the sport.
UP NEXT
The 49ers would attain their second Tremendous Bowl up to now 4 seasons with a win at Philadelphia.
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