Before the blowout ensued, the matchup had everything a football fan could want from a statistical standpoint as Dallas entered the game touting the best scoring defense in the league allowing just 10.3 points per game compared to San Francisco's 14.5 which ranked 2nd. Two of the best offenses would also be represented as the Niners entered the game ranked 3rd with 31.3 points per game, versus Dallas' 31.0 points per game which ranks 4th. In fact, it would be just the 4th game in NFL history between teams averaging 30+ points per game and fewer than 15 points per game allowed. With 19-wins apiece in the all-time series matchup, plenty would be at stake for these two teams who have met in the playoffs in back to back years, stoking the flames and writing a new chapter in what was once the best rivalry in all of football. And while the rivalry isn't as heated as it once was, things appear to be headed in that direction once again.
Putting his 9-0 career regular season record on the line would be 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy who entered Sunday night's game with a league-best QB Rating of 115.1. Leading the NFL with 24-points scored on opening-drives through the first four weeks, the San Francisco offense continued their torrid pace and added to that mark with an opening-drive touchdown from Purdy to Kittle as the two connected on a 19-yard dart that found the 49ers tight-end all alone in the end zone. After both teams each exchanged a pair of punts, the Niners appeared to be in business when a heads up play was made by 49ers All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner who punched the ball free from Cowboys running back Tony Pollard. On the doorstep of another touchdown, McCaffrey would take a handoff to the 2-yard line before being stripped of the ball on his way down as he landed on a defender who jarred the ball loose and recovered the fumble near the goal-line. Unable to do anything with the turnover, Prescott and company were stopped in their tracks thanks to another highlight play from Fred Warner who came up with the sack on third down to force a punt. Needing only one play to do what they failed to do one possession earlier, Purdy executed on a flea-flicker to find Kittle streaking to the end zone again for another score.
Trailing 14-0, Dallas would finally put together a successful drive of their own after failing to convert a first down on their first four drives for the first time in a game since November 30, 2017 vs Washington. Highlighting a 13-play, 78-yard drive was Prescott who aired the ball out to KaVontae Turpin who found the end zone for a 26-yard touchdown. Looking to add to their lead and make it a two-score game heading into the half, the 49ers would string together a 12-play, 60-yard drive of their own, capitalizing on a 1-yard touchdown by Christian McCaffrey. With his parents in attendance watching from a suite, McCaffrey made history by tying an NFL record since the Super Bowl era, held by Cowboys great Emmitt Smith with 14 consecutive games with a touchdown. Trailing 21-7 at the half, Dallas opened the third quarter with the football and in dire need of a score. After failing to register a first down on 6 of 7 drives in the first half, the Cowboys offense appeared to be headed for a much better half as they added a field goal, but it would be the closest they'd get as San Francisco found the end zone on each of their next three possessions, while also intercepting Prescott on each of Dallas' next three ensuing drives.
The first of three straight 49er touchdowns would go to George Kittle who made the most of all three of his receptions, finding the end zone for a third time on the night to tie Vernon Davis for the most touchdowns in a game by a 49ers tight-end. Completing the trifecta and celebrating his 30th birthday a day early, Kittle would endure somewhat of a renaissance as he failed to find the end zone in each of the team's first four games this season. The next 49ers touchdown would come from their Pro-Bowl fullback Kyle Juszczyk who hauled in the easy 1-yard score. Putting a nightcap on their busy night of scoring would be backup running back Jordan Mason who scored for the first time this season and for only the second time of his career. The second-year back darted thru a gaping hole and thrusted his way to the end zone for a 26-yard score, putting the game out of reach as the Niners took a commanding 42-10 lead in the fourth quarter. Coming up with the trio of Prescott interceptions would be Tashaun Gipson, Fred Warner, and Oren Burks. As for Warner, the 49ers' All-Pro linebacker became the first 49ers player to record a sack, interception and forced fumble in a game since NaVorro Bowman in 2013.
The 32-point loss would be the Cowboys' worst loss versus the 49ers in the history of the rivalry, which led Prescott to admit after the game, "this might be the most humbling game I've ever been a part of". Making matters worse, San Francisco outgained Dallas in total yards, 421 to 197 and also dominated in the time of possession battle: 37 minutes to Dallas' 23. The Dallas QB would throw for 153 yards, 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions in the loss. As for his counterpart, Niners QB Brock Purdy is now a perfect 10-0 in his career during the regular season. Last year's Mr. Irrelevant, Purdy now holds the 4th longest win-streak to start a career at quarterback and has to at least be among the top candidates for early MVP consideration. Finishing with 252 yards passing and a career-high 4 touchdown passes, Purdy continued to shine on Sunday against what was the league's Number 1 defense entering the game. The game got so out of hand at one point that 49er fans began chanting, "We want Trey" in reference to quarterback and former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance who the Niners traded to the Cowboys just days before the start of the season. Although Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy would empty out his bench, he would elect to go with backup QB Cooper Rush instead. Purdy and Lance were seen at midfield during warmups and shared a moment together before both teams suited up for battle.
Week 6 Preview: The (5-0) 49ers will look to continue to roll as they hit the road to face the (2-2) Cleveland Browns in Week 6. Coming off a BYE, the Browns were held to just a field goal at home the week prior versus rival Baltimore. Struggling to find consistency in the offense, the Browns will need to make a laundry list of adjustments if they plan on turning things around against a stingy San Francisco team. Hitting the field without their Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb who suffered a serious knee injury in Week 2, backup running back Jerome Ford and quarterback Deshaun Watson will hope to catch the 49ers off guard and hand them a loss. Watson who missed Cleveland's last game as a surprise scratch with a shoulder injury, might be sidelined again if he isn't cleared in time for kickoff. As for the Niners, don't chalk this one up as a cake walk as San Francisco has had a rough go throughout their history when playing in Cleveland. While these two teams don't play each other very often, the 49ers have not won at Cleveland since 1984, having lost in each of their last three visits.
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