49ers<\/a> did what they always do to open the game: Score on the first possession. This drive ended in six after an 8-play scoring drive where the Niners faced second down only twice, and didn\u2019t see a third down snap.<\/p>\nBrock Purdy went 4-for-4 during the opening series, connecting with Brandon Aiyuk for two first downs. Then, Purdy found George Kittle in the end zone after scrambling for a 19-yard touchdown.<\/p>\n
Not to be outdone, the defense forced a 3-and-out within no time and within a blink of an eye, the 49ers were up 7-0 and had the ball back.<\/p>\n
Dallas found success defensively on their second series, as they got off the field on 3rd & 2 thanks to a batted pass from one of their interior defensive lineman. This was always going to be a seesaw matchup where one unit would have to pick up the other.<\/p>\n
The defense forced another three-and-out, though Dre Greenlaw was fortunate to avoid an unnecessary roughness penalty. Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead combined for a sack on third down, and the Cowboys were forced to punt.<\/p>\n
Dallas appeared to have the offense stopped, but their safety jumped offsides on 3rd & 5, which is a cardinal sin against this Niners offense. After picking up another first down on a short pass to Kyle Juszczyk, a delay of game put the offense behind the sticks.<\/p>\n
Purdy threw behind Aiyuk on first down then high to Ronnie Bell on second down. Micah Parsons blew up the third down play, which forced the punt team on for the first time. Mitch Wishnowsky pinned Dallas on the five-yard line.<\/p>\n
Fred Warner made his first highlight play of the day as he dove after Tony Pollard and peanut punched the ball loose. Kevin Givens dove on the ball as it appeared he was in bounds. The ruling on the field stood, and the offense had the ball in the red zone.<\/p>\n
In one of the most unpredictable outcomes, Christian McCaffrey, who looked like he may score, fumbled as he ran over a defender on the two-yard line. So, instead of going up two possessions, the Niners coughed the ball up and gave Dallas life.<\/p>\n
Dallas cut it to 3rd & 2, but Fred Warner not only took away the route that Dak Prescott wanted to throw, but he sacked Prescott on third down. So, in two possessions, Warner had reminded everybody on national TV why he\u2019s the best linebacker in the NFL.<\/p>\n
Then, Kyle Shanahan took a page out of the Detroit Lions<\/a> playbook:<\/p>\n\n