For the second straight game, the Dallas Cowboys turned turnovers into points using 24 of them in a 41-33 win over the San Fransico 49ers. Dallas forced four turnovers including two interceptions in the fourth quarter securing their first winning streak of the season.
The turnovers started with the Cowboys’ second punt as end Dorrance Armstrong striped 49ers return man Richie James recovered by Aldon Smith. Five plays later running back Tony Pollard, starting in the place of injured Ezekiel Eillott, punched it in from a yard out giving Dallas an early 7-0 lead. Elliott missed with a calf strain. On the following drive end, Demarcus Lawrence strip-sacked 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens recovered again by Smith. That turnover ended with a three-yard Michael Gallup touchdown catch.
After jumping out to a 14-0 lead the 49ers came back with a couple of scoring drives cutting the Cowboys lead to three, 17-14 at the half. The 49ers opened the half with a field goal tying it before a 12-yard touchdown pass from Andy Dalton to Dalton Schultz put Dallas ahead. It didn’t last long as 49ers running back Jeff Wilson capped off an 11-play 75 yard drive with a 1-yard scoring run tying it entering the fourth.
Following a series of punts to open the quarter, Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson intercepted Mullens that resulted in a 46-yard Greg Zuerlein field goal. After another exchange of punts corner, Anthony Brown picked off Mullens ending in a 40-yard Pollard touchdown giving Dallas a 10 point lead with 2:27 left. The 49ers added a field goal with 40 seconds left but CeeDee Lamb put the game on ice returning the onside kick 47 yards for a touchdown. The 49ers connected on a 49-yard Hail Mary as time expired falling 41-33.
On the day Dallas was outgained 458-291 and out first downed 28-15. Dalton threw for 209 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, Pollard led with 69 yards and two scores on 12 carries while adding six catches for 63 yards. Lamb led the receivers with five catches for 85 yards. Defensively Jaylon Smith led with 10 tackles while corner Jourdan Lewis along with Lawrence had the team’s sacks. Rookie tackle Neville Gallimore had his best game as a Cowboy notching five tackles including a nice tackle for loss. In a bit of history, long snapper L.P. Ladouceur now owns the record for most games played by a Canadian-born player in NFL history with 251.
With the win, Dallas moves to 5-9 and keep playoff hopes alive. To reach the postseason they need to win their last two games against the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants and need the Washington Football Team to lose their last two.
