(Santa Clara) Christian McCaffrey made a winning two-yard breakout in the final quarter and the San Francisco 49ers defense did the rest on Sunday as the 49ers beat the Dallas Cowboys 19-12 to advance to the game in National Conference Championship.
The Niners nailed two long runs that ended in points in the second half, en route to a 12e win in a row; they will play in Philadelphia next Sunday.
Last year, the Los Angeles Rams defeated the 49ers at this same stage of the playoffs.
“We’re just excited to win,” 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy said. Everyone participated. It’s never easy in the playoffs, but it’s us who take the next step. »
PHOTO GODOFREDO A. VÁSQUEZ, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Brock Purdy
Since winning a fifth Super Bowl after the 1995 season, the Cowboys have failed to play a National Conference championship game.
Dak Prescott had two interceptions and Brett Maher missed a convert chance for the fifth time since the start of the playoffs. This time, the failure came from a blocked kick.
Maher still managed two field goals, including one that leveled the score at 9-9.
The Cowboys had a chance to tip the scales, taking the ball at their 18-line, with 2:59 left in the game.
Robbie Gould capped a nearly eight-minute climb with his fourth field goal.
7-0
Prescott was imprecise on two passes, however, and then suffered a sack. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy opted to punt on fourth down and 10 yards, with his side having three stoppages.
Purdy responded by joining George Kittle for 16 yards, the Niners chewed up ground and time, and then the Cowboys were unable to threaten anymore.
Last drafted in April 2022, Purdy has improved to 7-0 as a starter since replacing injured Jimmy Garoppolo in the 13e week of the season.
Against the Cowboys, he completed 18 of 28 passes for 215 yards.
He plays at a high level. He is comfortable in caucus. He just does a great job.
George Kittle on Brock Purdy
The 49ers took the lead on the first play in the fourth quarter – McCaffrey’s two-yard run, wrapping up a 91-yard run.
Kittle contributed to the effort with a 30-yard catch, narrowly controlling the ball. The Cowboys were also punished twice for holding in the streak.
Gould got the ball in the right place twice in the first half, in the wake of interceptions. His club led 9-6 at the half.
Prescott got a touchdown pass to Dalton Schultz early in the second quarter, but Samson Ebukam blocked the convert attempt.
In the 2020 Super Bowl, the 49ers lost 31-20 to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The San Francisco 49ers will face the Philadelphia Eagles in the National Conference Finals on Sunday at 3 p.m.