SANTA CLARA, Calif. – After seemingly outplaying the 49ers in the first half and holding a slight advantage at halftime, the Cowboys saw the bottom drop out in the third quarter.
The 49ers dominated to start the second half, outscoring Dallas 21-0 to take control of the game. The Cowboys had their chances and nearly came all the way back in the fourth, only to fall short.
Here are five hidden plays that could've changed the outcome.
Early mismatch for Samuel's big gain – The Cowboys had a shot to get off the field early in the game on the 49ers' first possession. But on third-and-6 at their own 17-yard line, the 49ers got Deebo Samuel matched up with linebacker Eric Kendricks and connected with the versatile receiver for a 36-yard gain down the right sideline. That not only flipped the field and led to a San Francisco field goal, but it set the tone for several plays in which Samuel got loose in the open field for big gains.
Aubrey's short kickoff sets up 49ers – It's not like the 49ers need a lot of help moving the ball, but in the first half they had trouble completing their drives, only getting two field goals. So Brandon Aubrey's gift on the second-half kickoff, dribbling the kick to the 22-yard line, served as a penalty and a boost for the 49ers, who started the third quarter at the 40-yard line. It didn't take long for them to get into the end zone to grab a 13-10 lead.
Turpin's illegal forward pass – After the 49ers marched for a quick third-quarter touchdown, the Cowboys tried a little trickery on special teams, and it backfired. For the last two games, Turpin has faked a reverse handoff on his returns, including once already on Sunday night. But on this play, he pitched the ball to C.J. Goodwin, who returned it past the 30-yard line. However, Turpin pitched the ball forward to Goodwin, wiping out the play and pushing the offense back to their own 11. The Cowboys didn't move the ball and had to punt, leading to another score for the 49ers midway through the third quarter.
Pick-play picked up – The 49ers schemed a perfectly designed pick play on the goal line to free up George Kittle for a touchdown. At first, two officials saw the same thing – Donovan Wilson run over by 49ers receiver Chris Conley. But after a discussion, the refs decided against calling offensive pass interference and let the touchdown stand, giving the 49ers a commanding 10-point lead.
Cowboys fail to get a yard – The Cowboys miraculously found themselves with a chance to go win the game in the final three minutes. But they never gained a single yard, so take your pick on the play that could've changed it. The second-and-10 try seemingly had Prescott with some room to scramble and run, making third and fourth down more manageable. Either way, the Cowboys couldn't even ignite a drive with a single yard and therefore saw the comeback bid fall short.
