Recap
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Brock Purdy bounced back from a shaky first half to lead three touchdown drives in the third quarter and the 49ers beat the Dallas Cowboys 30-24 at Levi's Stadium. Purdy went 18-of-26 for 260 with one touchdown and no interceptions. George Kittle had six receptions for 128 yards and a TD. Isaac Guerendo, in for an injured Jordan Mason, ran for 85 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Dak Prescott threw two interceptions for a third straight game; he was 25-of-38 for 243. The 49ers improved to 4-4.[1][2][3]
Columnist recap
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Brock Purdy went into halftime down 14-7 after a forgettable first thirty minutes. He came out of halftime, threw a touchdown to George Kittle, and the 49ers were a different football team for the rest of the afternoon.
The Cowboys, with Dak Prescott throwing two more picks (his third straight three-INT-or-worse game and the first Dallas quarterback to do that in 32 years), simply could not finish a possession. Kittle caught six for 128 on National Tight End's Day and scored. Isaac Guerendo, the rookie in for the injured Jordan Mason, ran for 85 and a TD.
The 49ers are 4-4 at the midpoint of the season, with their starting WR1 done for the year, their starting running back on the injury report, and a head coach who has spent the season managing more depth-chart changes than any of his recent ones. 4-4 was not the September projection. It is also not bad. The schedule turns easier the next two weeks.
By the numbers
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
49ers 30, Cowboys 24. Margin: +6. Eight-game record: 4-4, +28 differential.
- Purdy: 18-of-26 for 260, 1 TD, 0 INT (bounce-back).
- Kittle: 6 catches for 128, 1 TD (National Tight End's Day).
- Isaac Guerendo: 14 carries for 85, 1 TD (in for injured Mason).
- Dak Prescott: 25-of-38 for 243, 2 INTs (3rd straight game).
- 49ers: 3 third-quarter TD drives.
- 49ers 4-4 (T-2nd NFC West); Cowboys 3-4.
Film room
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
A 30-24 win over the Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers improve to 4-4 at the midpoint.
How it unfolded
The Cowboys took an early 7-0 lead on a Prescott touchdown to CeeDee Lamb. The 49ers tied it on a Guerendo rushing touchdown. Dallas added a field goal and another Prescott touchdown to lead 14-7 at the half. The third quarter was the 49ers' turn: a Purdy-to-Kittle touchdown, a Guerendo second touchdown, and a Jake Moody field goal pushed the lead to 24-14. The Cowboys cut it to 24-21 in the fourth, but the defense closed out a late stand and Moody added the kick that put it past two scores.
The turning point
The Kittle touchdown to open the third quarter. The 49ers had spent the first half feeling for the read; the Kittle score was the first time the offense looked like itself, and the rest of the quarter produced three scoring drives.
By the numbers
Purdy 260 yards and a clean stat line in the bounce-back from the Kansas City three-pick game. Kittle 128 receiving on six catches and a score, his best game of the season. Guerendo 85 yards and a TD in his first extended action; the rookie looks like the third running back the 49ers need to weather the McCaffrey-Mason cycle.
Personnel watch
Mason exited early with a shoulder injury. McCaffrey did not play, listed as inactive. Aiyuk done for the season with the ACL. Kittle in his best game of the year. Guerendo, the rookie out of Louisville, the new backfield piece.
What it means
4-4 at the bye-week-adjacent midpoint. The 49ers' offense without Aiyuk now leans on Kittle and the run game. The bye comes in two weeks; the road to the playoff race needs wins against the Buccaneers, Seahawks, and Packers before that.
