SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Christian McCaffrey scored on the green light Run from 2 meters in the fourth quarter, San Francisco’s defense did the rest, sending the 49ers to their second straight NFC title game with a 19-12 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
The 49ers (15-4) used back-to-back long scoring drives in the second half to wear down the Cowboys (13-6) to win their 12th straight game. San Francisco moved up to play the Eagles in the NFC title game next Sunday in Philadelphia after losing to the Rams in that round a year ago.
“Man, we’re just thrilled that we won,” said rookie 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. “Everyone did their part. It’s playoff football, it’s never easy, but we’re moving on.”
The Cowboys lost in the division round for the seventh consecutive time and have not made the NFC title game since winning their fifth Super Bowl title after the 1995 season.
Dak Prescott threw two interceptions and Brett Maher missed his fifth extra point of the postseason when his attempt was blocked. He later made two field goals.
The Cowboys had a chance as they took over on their own 18 with 2:59 left, trailing 19-12 after Robbie Gould’s fourth field goal of the game capped off a nearly eight-minute drive.
But Prescott threw two consecutive incompletions and was sacked in third place. Coach Mike McCarthy opted to punt on fourth and tenth with all three timeouts remaining.
Purdy started the next drive with a 16-yard completion to George Kittle and San Francisco did not return the ball to Dallas until 45 seconds remained. The Cowboys took over when they were 6 and never came close from there.
Purdy, the last pick in the draft last April, improved to 7-0 as a starter since replacing an injured Jimmy Garoppolo early in Week 13. He went 18 for 28 for 215 yards with no turnovers against the Cowboys, joining Joe Flacco) and Mark Sanchez (2009) as the only rookie QBs to win two playoff starts.
“Wow. Brock Purdy taking us to the NFC championship game? I mean, he’s only won, I think, seven in a row now. Good job, Brock,” Kittle said. “He’s playing at a high level, getting our best players the football, he is great and confident in the group. He’s just doing great.”
The 49ers took the lead on the first play of the fourth quarter as McCaffrey capped off a 91-yard drive with a 2-yard run.
The ride featured a 30m juggling catch by Kittle and a pair of defensive holds against Dallas – including one on Donovan Wilson near the goal line that negated a third down sack.
“I was like, you know what, how can I make this as dramatic as possible?” Kittle said of his spectacular catch. “Just shout out to Brock: I actually wasn’t even progressing and he still found me, so that’s all that matters. So I just appreciate that he gives me a chance to catch the ball.”
Maher made his second field goal of the game when he converted from 43 yards out to cut San Francisco’s lead to 16–12.
The NFL’s two top-scoring teams for the past 13 weeks struggled to get going as defenses led by All-Pros Nick Bosa of San Francisco and Micah Parsons of Dallas controlled the game.
The Niners struck out Prescott twice in the first half, turning them into Gould field goals and leading 9–6 at halftime.
The Cowboys scored the lone TD of the first half, with Prescott making contact with tight end Dalton Schultz for the third time this postseason. But Maher’s low extra-point attempt was blocked by Samson Ebukam.
Maher got some redemption when he made a 25-yard field goal that tied the game at 9 early in the third quarter after Ray-Ray McCloud threw a punt return at the San Francisco 21.
ONLY FOR THE KICKS
The Cowboys’ decision to stick with Maher after his four missed extra points last week looked questionable when he missed the early extra point. Maher’s five missed PATs are the second most by any NFL playoff kicker. Roy Gerela missed six tries in 43 tries in the 1970s for Houston and Pittsburgh.
There had been a dusty pregame as Maher warmed up. Trent Williams and other 49ers players tried to interfere with his attempts from the San Francisco side, leading to a brief argument.
INJURIES
Cowboys: RB Tony Pollard left late in the first half after injuring his left ankle while being tackled after a reception. He did not return to the game. … DT Calvin Watkins (calf) took off in the first half.
49ers: DE Charles Omenihu (oblique) left briefly in the first half but returned to the game.
NEXT ONE
The 49ers would reach their second Super Bowl in the past four seasons with a victory in Philadelphia.
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