The Divisional Round of the 2023 NFL Playoffs ended with arguably the closest game of the weekend as the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Dallas Cowboys in a tight 19-12 win.
The 49ers defense was able to cause multiple turnovers that would result in a win and a trip to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game.
Before covering the Niners, much credit and praise should be given to Dan Quinn and the Cowboys defense, as they did all they could to give their offense an opportunity multiple times throughout the contest. With that said, their offense was unable to capitalize and therefore were eliminated after a successful regular season and Wild Card win against the Bucs.
As for the Niners, their defense proved again why they are the number one ranked defense in football with an absolute elite-all around showcase. Dak Prescott went from having arguably the best game of his career the week prior, to having arguably one of the worst performances of his career against this elite Niners defense.
To start with some individuals on this fantastic defensive unit, superstar middle linebacker Fred Warner had an all-pro performance, whether it was stopping the run, covering the middle of the field, or making an essential play in coverage against Cowboys wideout CeeDee Lamb. Warner finished with an interception, nine tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass deflection against Lamb.
Joining Warner was fellow linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and defensive back Jimmie Ward, with seven tackles apiece; Ward also added two pass deflections and a tackle for loss. Three pass rushers in Samson Ebukam, Nick Bosa, and Charles Omenihu, combined for four quarterback hits on Prescott. Young defensive back Deommodore Lenoir also showed out in the playoff win as he picked off Prescott, deflected one of his passes, and made five tackles.
We can go on and on about the incredible performance of this 49ers defense led by defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans.
On the offense, Christian McCaffrey was San Fran’s lone scorer in the contest as he finished the game with 57 total yards as well; that said, Elijah Mitchell was the 49ers leading runner as he ran fourteen times for 51 yards.
Rookie sensation Brock Purdy’s magical start to his NFL career continues as he is now 7-0 in the first seven starts of his career; the young signal-caller threw for 214 yards, and his top target on the day was tight end, George Kittle. Kittle had a team-high five receptions along with a team-high 95 yards.
All in all, the Cowboys offense was unable to produce consistently, and the 49ers offense were able to pull out one more successful drive that led to their 19-12 win.
Significant props should go to 49ers kicker Robbie Gould; Gould is one of the greatest kickers in NFL history and is now 29 for 29 in field goal attempts and 38 for 38 in extra point attempts in his postseason career.
ROBBIE GOULD IS MONEY pic.twitter.com/rqJJJLKFFk
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 23, 2023
The 49ers will now face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship on Sunday, January 29.
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