49ers offense explodes in third quarter, drops Cowboys on SNF

The 49ers came into Week 8 needing a win. And while it may not have been pretty at first, they got the job done against the Cowboys in a big way.

The San Francisco 49ers got back in the win column in Week 8, taking care of the Dallas Cowboys, 30-24. The contest wasn’t straightforward though, as the visitors led at halftime. But a 21-point third quarter ignited the Red & Gold, putting them in the drive seat the rest of the way.

And even then, it took all 60 minutes for SF to merge the winners. An Isaac Guerendo slide late sealed the win for the 49ers, sending Levi’s Stadium home happy on primetime. The team now goes into the Bye Week at 4-4.

Not our first rodeo! #FTTB pic.twitter.com/WyGb7LRxjQ

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 28, 2024

Week 8 against the Cowboys was by no means easy for the 49ers, especially after the hole they dug themselves in during the first half.

San Francisco’s offensive struggles continued Sunday, unable to turn first downs into long drives. The issues on third down persisted, at on point being 2/6. The 49ers’ lone points of the first 30 minutes came on their first and fifth drives, both field goals. Aside from that, the 49ers possessions were either punts, or a turnover on downs.

The latter was the epitome of the 49ers’ problems on offense, going seven plays before giving the ball back to Dallas. To make matters worst, penalties held SF back, including a holding call that negated a 66-yard touchdown for wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Instead, the drive ended with quarterback Brock Purdy missing Samuel on short slant route on fourth down.

That was the 49ers’ first half in a nutshell; self-inflicted wounds that hampered numerous drives.

The 49ers had six penalties for 49 yards in two quarters, with Kyle Shanahan’s message to the guys quite simple.

“Stop with the penalties,” the 49ers coach said postgame.

All those issues culminated into a 10-6 deficit for the 49ers at halftime. The Cowboys’ lone touchdown came in the second quarter via an Ezekiel Elliott one-yard run.

The game flipped in the second half, thanks in large part to the 49ers getting the ball to open the third quarter.

San Francisco would score three consecutive TDs out of the gate, putting 21 unanswered points through the quarter. A big catalyst for that was tight end George Kittle, showing out with six catches for 128 receiving yards and a TD.

George Kittle keeps making 49ers’ history 🔥 pic.twitter.com/spYkHGjpov

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 28, 2024

One of the best TEs in football got the 49ers’ offense going with a 43-yard catch and run in third, putting them at the 4-yard-line. A player later, running back Isaac Guerendo punched it hime to take the lead.

SF’s offense would continue that trend, with Kittle being the main benefactor. He would be rewarded with a score on the next drive. Purdy found Kittle on a sort-of pick play from two yards out to extend the lead to 20-10 midway through the third.

On the net series, Kittle again had success, getting free for a 27-yard gain. A few plays later, Purdy punched it in from two yards out.

In the blink of an eye, it was 27-10 49ers over Cowboys as the quarter came to a close. A 21-point turnaround for an offense that needed to have it.

The Cowboys were going away quietly though.

The fourth quarter saw Dallas convert multiple long drives into TDs, eventually making it a one-possession game late. But when the 49ers’ defense had too step up, they did, forcing QB Dak Prescott into a four-play drive that ended with the 49ers having all the possession.

Guerendo got the rock to ice the game, running left down the sidelines before sliding to allow the clock to tick away. All the Cowboys could do was watch as the 49ers took a knee, ending the contest 30-24.

Isaac Guerendo helps seal the win for the @49ers! pic.twitter.com/f0md2DwKNM

— NFL (@NFL) October 28, 2024

The 49ers now advance to 4-4 on the 2024 season entering their Bye Week. Hopefully a week of rest can be enough to get a few key pieces back in the fold. San Francisco will need as much help as possible as well, going into one of its’ toughest stretches of the schedule.

But f0r now, the 49ers move up to .500 overall, now second in the NFC West with plenty to continue to work on.

“We knew this was a big win. We didn’t wanna be 3-5 going into the bye week, having our backs against the wall like that,” Shanahan stated.

San Francisco 49ers 2024 Schedule:

Regular Season

• Week 9 Bye Week
• Sunday, November 10th @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 10 am PDT
• Sunday, November 17th vs. Seattle Seahawks – 1:05 pm PDT
• Sunday, November 24th @ Green Bay Packers – 1:25 pm PDT

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