SANTA CLARA – The Dallas Cowboys had Week 5 circled on their calendar and were eager to avenge their recent playoff losses to the 49ers in a prime-time “Sunday Night Football” matchup at Levi’s Stadium.
But it didn’t go according to plan. San Francisco defeated Dallas en route to a 42-10 victory, leaving quarterback Dak Prescott and Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy stumped.
“I didn’t see it coming,” Prescott said after the game. “…I put everything into it and got punched in the mouth. Called.” [the Cowboys’ loss] I felt “humiliated” against Arizona a few weeks ago, but that may be the most humiliating game I’ve ever been a part of. I felt good about the preparation, felt good about everything, honestly coming into this game, the matchups, and they beat us in every way.”
Prescott finished 14-for-24 passing for the Cowboys with 153 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions and a passer rating of 51.6. He was sacked three times by a stifling 49ers defense desperate to prove they were still the NFL’s best, despite the Dallas unit giving up a league-low average of 10 points per game early in the contest.
The Cowboys’ defensive dominance collapsed Sunday as they faced the unwavering power of the 49ers’ offense. Quarterback Brock Purdy completed 17 of 24 passes for 252 yards, four touchdowns, a 144.4 passer rating and, perhaps most importantly, zero picks.
Star 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey scored a touchdown in his 14th straight game, while George Kittle recorded the first three-touchdown game of his seven-year NFL career. It was an unforgettable night for San Francisco, and McCarthy hopes Dallas can learn from it.
“Well, the explanation: A very humiliating defeat. This clearly states the obvious,” McCarthy said after the game. “…The most important thing is that we take responsibility. It was clearly humiliating, but it’s a game. I think I expressed this throughout the week; I thought.” [the 49ers] played very well at the beginning. We knew our defense was in for a big challenge. I was very impressed with what they were doing offensively and honestly, starting with myself, I didn’t do a good job tonight. …
“We still have a lot to do.”
McCarthy described the game as “a punch in the gut” and “a kick in the ass.” He and Prescott both said they thought the Cowboys’ preparation for the game – which included an in-depth analysis of Trey Lance’s 49ers knowledge – was more than adequate.
But the 49ers scored more than 30 points for the fifth time this season, posting a 5-0 record in the 2023 NFL season and proving Cowboys owner Jerry Jones right when he said last week that San Francisco was the super Bowl favorite. According to ESPN Stats and Info, the Cowboys’ 42 points allowed Sunday night made them the first team since the 1990 Raiders to allow more points in their fifth game of a season than in their first four games combined.
“They beat us in all three phases. … They played extremely well, we didn’t, and I really thought we took a step in certain areas as a team. “I didn’t see that coming,” McCarthy said.
The Cowboys coach also added that Purdy played “extremely well” against Dallas and had some “great shots.” It was the second time Purdy handed the Cowboys a loss in less than a year, after the 49ers eliminated them with a 19-12 victory in the NFC Divisional Playoffs last season in January.
Prescott, who has never played in an NFC championship game, knows the Cowboys will likely have to beat the 49ers again this season if they want to reach the NFL’s pinnacle.
“Obviously they’re further along than us right now, but yeah, we have to close that gap and be ready,” Prescott said. “To get where we want to go, we know we have to go through this team and most likely come back through this place.”
Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast