January 22, 2023 at 8:38 PM EST
He made it
Brett Maher is a social media hero for the moment, as his successful field goal has made the term “He made it” trend on Twitter.
Contributor, NFL & Fantasy
January 22, 2023 at 8:34 PM EST
Momentum is shifting towards Dallas’ favor
Despite starting their drive on the Cowboys’ 47-yard line, the 49ers immediately went three-and-out.
During the regular season, San Francisco ranked fourth in the NFL in points per drive on possessions starting in opponent territory (3.96), per TruMedia
This postseason, they have now mustered two field goals on four such drives (1.5 points per drive).
Atrocious offensive possession from the 49ers from plus territory
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) January 23, 2023
January 22, 2023 at 8:33 PM EST
Run, Ray-Ray, Run
After his fumble set up the Cowboys’ game-tying field goal, Ray-Ray McCloud bounced right back and returned the ensuing kickoff 53 yards.
The 53-yard kickoff return was the longest of McCloud’s five-year NFL career.
Deputy Managing Editor, College Football
January 22, 2023 at 8:27 PM EST
All tied at 9-9
Big break for the Cowboys as Ray-Ray McCloud is stripped on the punt return and Dallas recovered. Cowboys couldn’t punch it in, but Brett Maher connected on the 25-yard field goal to tie the game 9-9.
Dallas has now scored 119 points off turnovers this season, most in the NFL.
Deputy Managing Editor, College Football
Brett Maher is perfect on field goal tries this postseason
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) January 23, 2023
January 22, 2023 at 8:22 PM EST
Tony Pollard (ankle) ruled out for rest of game
Per the Fox broadcast, Cowboys RB Tony Pollard has been ruled out for the rest of the game with a high ankle sprain.
January 22, 2023 at 8:18 PM EST
Perfection
After his three first-half makes, 49ers kicker Robbie Gould is now a perfect 28-for-28 on field goal attempts in his postseason career.
That’s easily the most playoff makes without a miss in NFL history (Chris Boswell is second at 16-for-16).
Deputy Managing Editor, College Football
January 22, 2023 at 8:18 PM EST
Will the Cowboys make any adjustments to protect Dak Prescott?
The 49ers’ pressure has been a big factor tonight.
Staff Editor, NFL
Samson Ebukam & Nick Bosa collapsed the pocket on Dak Prescott, forcing a tight window interception.
Prescott (1st Half):
🔹 56.3% pressure rate (career-high)
🔹 Pressure: 5/9, 32 yards, 2 INT (-7.3% CPOE)
🔹 No Pressure: 7/7, 49 yards, TD (+13.1% CPOE)#DALvsSF | #FTTB pic.twitter.com/inBLlzQi4e— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) January 23, 2023
January 22, 2023 at 8:10 PM EST
Will history repeat itself?
Per CBS Sports, Dak Prescott is the first Cowboys quarterback to throw two first-half interceptions in a playoff game since Troy Aikman in the 1994 NFC Championship Game against… the 49ers.
San Francisco went on to win the game 38-28.
Deputy Managing Editor, College Football
January 22, 2023 at 8:06 PM EST
Betting public is still all in on San Francisco
The 49ers continue to be the favorite in this game, as BetMGM has San Francisco listed at -3.5 points headed into halftime.
Contributor, NFL & Fantasy
January 22, 2023 at 8:06 PM EST
49ers take a 9-6 lead at the half
While the Cowboys deal with the mess that is kicker Brett Maher, the 49ers’ Robbie Gould is 3-for-3 on the day and remains perfect in his NFL postseason career to send the 49ers to halftime with a 9-6 lead.
In the first half of their wild-card wins last weekend, the 49ers and Cowboys combined for 35 points and 495 yards (7.2 yards per play).
In the first half today, the two teams have combined for 15 points and 277 yards (4.5 yards per play).
Senior Editor, NFL
Yards per play at half…
Cowboys: 4.7
49ers: 4.4It’s a bar fight, and SF is winning it thanks to 2 interceptions
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) January 23, 2023
January 22, 2023 at 7:58 PM EST
Conservative play calling
Kyle Shanahan is not just thinking about scoring points on this drive.
Contributor, NFL & Fantasy
Well, Shanahan managed that poorly. He’s too afraid of giving a Dallas team without a functional kicker the ball back
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) January 23, 2023
Shanahan always is leery about leaving too much time for the opponent at the end of a half. (See: SB LIV).
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) January 23, 2023
January 22, 2023 at 7:56 PM EST
Bad news for Dallas
Cowboys running back Tony Pollard is being carted to the locker room.
Staff Writer, Cowboys
January 22, 2023 at 7:56 PM EST
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott throws his second INT of the half
Late in the half, Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is picked off by 49ers linebacker Fred Warner, Prescott’s second interception of the game.
This is Prescott’s sixth multi-INT game of the season, most by a Dallas QB since Drew Bledsoe also had six in 2005.
The Cowboys turnover-prone ways have haunted them all year long, as Dallas is 3-4 in games with 2+ giveaways versus 10-1 when posting one or fewer giveaways.
Reminder: Warner brackets Lamb every time he is in the slot.
— Bob Sturm (@SportsSturm) January 23, 2023
CeeDee has gotten a few catches running underneath the 49ers zone. They finally squeeze it and get a pick
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) January 23, 2023
January 22, 2023 at 7:52 PM EST
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard heads to the sideline
It’s another injury on a bulldog tackle, this time to Tony Pollard. This has been prevalent over the past couple of years and might be something that the league’s competition committee should look at regulating to prevent these injuries.
Contributor, NFL & Fantasy
Pollard is walking off with some assitance.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) January 23, 2023
Tony Pollard was putting very little pressure on his ankle. He’s in the medical tent
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 23, 2023
January 22, 2023 at 7:51 PM EST
Trust the numbers
Would the Cowboys have kicked a field goal on that fourth-and-4 if not for Brett Maher’s struggles? In this case, the aggression paid off.
Staff Editor, NFL
—> DAL (6) @ SF (6) <—
DAL has 4th & 4 at the SF 35Recommendation : 🤷 Toss-up (+0.3 WP)
Actual play: 👉 (Shotgun) D.Prescott scrambles right guard to SF 26 for 9 yards (T.Hufanga). pic.twitter.com/0AsUgcI2No— 4th down decision bot (@ben_bot_baldwin) January 23, 2023
January 22, 2023 at 7:45 PM EST
Can the Cowboys capitalize off the 49ers mistake?
Will the Cowboys make Dre Greenlaw regret his late hit on Ezekiel Elliott?
Staff Editor, NFL
In Greenlaw’s defense, the ball carrier was only six yards out of bounds.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) January 23, 2023
January 22, 2023 at 7:38 PM EST
Not the kind of records you want to break
After today’s second-quarter PAT was blocked, Brett Maher has missed more than twice as many extra points in the last six quarters than the Cowboys franchise missed in their first 64 playoff games combined:
Missed PATs in Cowboys postseason history
- This postseason: 5 (1-for-6)
- All other games combined: 2 (168-for-170)
Deputy Managing Editor, College Football
Brett Maher has now missed 5 extra points over the last 2 playoff games, 2nd-most in a postseason career in NFL history…
The only player with more was Roy Gerela in the 1970s, who did so over the course of 15 games.#Cowboysvs49ers
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) January 23, 2023
January 22, 2023 at 7:29 PM EST
Cowboys lead 6-3 after Dalton Schultz TD
Despite the blocked PAT, Cowboys take a 6-3 lead on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott to Dalton Schultz.
Last week, Schultz became the first Dallas tight end with multiple TD catches in a game and he has another one today.
Prescott has now thrown a touchdown pass in all 13 games since returning from a thumb injury in Week 7.
Deputy Managing Editor, College Football
With that touchdown catch, Dalton Schultz now has three touchdown receptions this postseason, the most receiving touchdowns in a single postseason by any Cowboys tight end.
— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR) January 23, 2023
January 22, 2023 at 7:25 PM EST
Cowboys kicking struggles continue
Brett Maher missed again. This time, his extra-point attempt was blocked.
Staff Writer, Cowboys
January 22, 2023 at 7:24 PM EST
An update on Charles Omenihu
Omenihu has a wrap around his lower back. It doesn’t look like he’s going back in the game anytime soon.
Senior Writer, 49ers