Dallas Cowboys vs 49ers Match Player Stats (Oct 27, 2024)
San Francisco capped off Week 8 with a statement win over Dallas, using a dominant third quarter to secure a 30-24 victory at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday night.
The 49ers (4-4) outgained the Cowboys (3-4) by a hefty 469-292 margin in total yards, with a crushing 223-56 advantage on the ground proving to be the difference-maker in this latest chapter of their historic rivalry.
Table of Contents
Game Flow: Dallas Hot Start, Niners Third Quarter Surge
Mike McCarthy’s squad built a promising 10-6 halftime lead that had Cowboys fans feeling optimistic, but football requires sustained excellence across four quarters.
The wheels came off for Dallas immediately after halftime. Quarterback Dak Prescott threw a costly interception on the opening drive of the third quarter, and San Francisco capitalized with 21 unanswered points to flip a four-point deficit into a commanding 27-10 lead.
CeeDee Lamb nearly willed the Cowboys back with two fourth-quarter touchdown grabs that narrowed the score to 30-24, but their final offensive drive stalled near midfield, securing another San Francisco win in this storied series.
QB Stats: Ball Security Makes The Difference
The stat sheet shows why one quarterback walked away victorious while the other suffered another frustrating loss:
Brock Purdy (49ers):
- 18/26 passes, 69.2% completion
- 260 passing yards
- 1 passing TD
- 0 interceptions
- 114.3 passer rating
- 8 rushes for 56 yards, 1 TD
- 10.0 yards per attempt
Purdy bounced back strong from his three-pick performance last week. His rushing score was his third of the season, making him the first San Francisco QB since C.J. Beathard in 2017 to score on the ground in consecutive games.
Dak Prescott (Cowboys):
- 25/38 passes, 65.8% completion
- 243 passing yards
- 2 passing TDs
- 2 interceptions
- 79.2 passer rating
- 1 rush for -1 yard
- 6.2 yards per attempt
Prescott’s turnover woes continued, marking his third straight game with multiple interceptions — a streak not seen from a Cowboys quarterback in 32 years. After the game, Prescott took ownership of his mistakes: “Once again, we put ourself behind in the turnover battle, and that’s on me. Can’t have that to try to win games. I’ve got to clean that up good.”
Receiving Duel: Lamb vs Kittle
The premier pass-catchers for both squads showed up in a big way:
CeeDee Lamb carried the Dallas aerial attack:
- 13 receptions (17 targets)
- 146 receiving yards
- 2 touchdowns
- 11.2 yards per catch
- 60% of Cowboys’ total passing yards
Lamb continued to prove why he’s considered elite, consistently finding space despite being the clear focal point of San Francisco’s defense.
George Kittle celebrated “National Tight Ends Day” in style:
- 6 catches (7 targets)
- 128 yards
- 1 touchdown
- 21.3 yards per reception
- Surpassed 500 career catches
- Moved to third place on 49ers all-time receiving yards list
Supporting contributions came from Deebo Samuel (4 catches, 71 yards) for San Francisco and Jalen Tolbert (3 catches, 44 yards) for Dallas, but Lamb and Kittle were clearly the standout targets.
Ground Game Gap Seals Dallas’ Fate
Nothing defined this contest more clearly than the massive disparity in rushing production:
49ers Ground Attack:
- 36 carries
- 223 total yards
- 6.2 yards per attempt
- 2 rushing TDs
- Six different ball carriers
Cowboys Running Game:
- 19 carries
- 56 total yards
- 2.9 yards per attempt
- 1 rushing TD
- Ranked dead last (32nd) in rush yards per game entering this contest
Isaac Guerendo stepped up huge for San Francisco with 14 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown after Jordan Mason exited with a shoulder injury. The rookie showed veteran awareness when he slid down near the goal line late in the game rather than score, allowing the 49ers to drain more clock.
Ezekiel Elliott managed just 10 carries for 34 yards in his return to a leading role, while Dalvin Cook’s Cowboys debut resulted in 6 carries for a measly 12 yards.
Team Stats Comparison
The full statistical picture shows how San Francisco controlled this game:
| Statistic | Dallas Cowboys | San Francisco 49ers |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 292 | 469 |
| Passing Yards | 236 | 246 |
| Rushing Yards | 56 | 223 |
| Yards Per Play | 4.9 | 7.3 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| 3rd Down Conversion | 4/12 (33.3%) | 8/16 (50.0%) |
| 4th Down Conversion | 1/2 (50.0%) | 0/1 (0.0%) |
| Red Zone TD % | 2/3 (66.7%) | 3/4 (75.0%) |
| Penalties | 6 for 30 yards | 9 for 73 yards |
| Time of Possession | 26:48 | 33:12 |
| Total Plays | 59 | 64 |
| First Downs | 18 | 19 |
Despite taking more penalties, San Francisco’s offense averaged a whopping 7.3 yards per play, allowing them to overcome any setbacks. Their 50% third-down conversion rate compared to Dallas’s 33.3% proved crucial in maintaining control.
Third Quarter Collapse Dooms Cowboys
The game’s pivotal sequence started immediately after halftime when Dak Prescott threw a pick to Deommodore Lenoir on the Cowboys’ opening third-quarter drive.
The 49ers capitalized quickly, with Purdy finding Kittle for a touchdown that pushed their lead to 20-10. Dallas then went three-and-out, failing to respond to the sudden momentum shift.
San Francisco followed with an 8-play drive capped by Purdy’s 2-yard touchdown run, essentially putting the game out of reach despite Dallas’s late comeback attempt.
McCarthy pulled no punches in his assessment: “The defense struggled to slow San Francisco down at all outside of when the Niners committed penalties or Purdy was off-target on a few passes.”
Defensive Playmakers
49ers Defense:
- Fred Warner: 8 tackles, 1 pass defended (career total now 52 PDs, second-most by a linebacker in franchise history)
- Deommodore Lenoir: 5 tackles, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble (second straight game with a pick)
- Ji’Ayir Brown: 4 tackles, 1 interception (first of the season)
- Nick Bosa: 2 tackles, 1 sack (bringing his career total to 58.0, third-most in franchise history)
The 49ers defense recorded multiple interceptions for the third consecutive game, showing a knack for creating timely turnovers.
Cowboys Defense:
- Eric Kendricks: 9 combined tackles
- DeMarvion Overshown: 8 tackles, 1 sack
- Trevon Diggs: 4 tackles, 1 pass breakup
- Malik Hooker: 6 combined tackles
Without Micah Parsons wreaking havoc, the Dallas defense couldn’t generate the game-changing plays needed to offset their offensive struggles.
Kicking Game Proves Critical
Anders Carlson was perfect for San Francisco, hitting all three field goal attempts (50, 44, and 41 yards) plus three extra points. His 12 points proved crucial in the six-point victory.
Brandon Aubrey also remained reliable for Dallas, making his lone field goal try from 29 yards and connecting on all three PATs.
Missing Stars Impact Both Teams
Cowboys Key Absences:
- All-Pro Micah Parsons (ankle) – His absence severely limited Dallas’s pass rush
- RB Rico Dowdle (illness) – Prompted Elliott’s increased workload and Cook’s debut
- CB DaRon Bland (not ready to return from IR)
- CB Amani Oruwariye (suffered three fractured transverse processes during the game)
49ers Injuries:
- RB Jordan Mason (shoulder injury in second quarter)
- WR Deebo Samuel (rib injury in fourth quarter, after battling pneumonia during week)
- LB Dee Winters (concussion)
- CB Renardo Green (ankle)
San Francisco demonstrated superior roster depth, particularly with Guerendo stepping in seamlessly for Mason. This adaptability contrasted with Dallas’s obvious struggles without Parsons.
Playoff Implications
This result dropped the Cowboys to 3-4 while lifting the 49ers to 4-4, with significant ramifications for both franchises.
Dallas must address three glaring issues:
- Prescott’s turnover problems – His three straight multi-interception games have directly impacted outcomes
- Non-existent ground attack – Their 32nd-ranked rushing offense leaves them one-dimensional, creating additional pressure for their upcoming divisional clash with Philadelphia
- Defensive vulnerability without Parsons – Their inability to generate pressure or stop the run without their star defender exposed concerning depth issues
For San Francisco, several positive trends emerged:
- Balanced offensive approach – They effectively attacked through both ground and air, similar to their success against other NFC West opponents like in their victory over the Rams
- Quality depth pieces – Guerendo’s performance highlighted their strong roster construction
- Opportunistic defense – Multiple interceptions in three straight games shows a unit hitting stride
As the NFL season hits its midpoint, this game could serve as a pivotal turning point for both teams’ playoff aspirations.
Complete Offensive Player Stats
Dallas Cowboys Offensive Production:
| Player | Position | Comp/Att | Pass Yards | Pass TD | INT | Rush Att | Rush Yards | Rush TD | Targets | Receptions | Rec Yards | Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dak Prescott | QB | 25/38 | 243 | 2 | 2 | 1 | -1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ezekiel Elliott | RB | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 34 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Dalvin Cook | RB | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| CeeDee Lamb | WR | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 13 | 146 | 2 |
| Jake Ferguson | TE | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 23 | 0 |
| Jalen Tolbert | WR | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 44 | 0 |
| KaVontae Turpin | WR | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 16 | 0 |
San Francisco 49ers Offensive Production:
| Player | Position | Comp/Att | Pass Yards | Pass TD | INT | Rush Att | Rush Yards | Rush TD | Targets | Receptions | Rec Yards | Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brock Purdy | QB | 18/26 | 260 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 56 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Isaac Guerendo | RB | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 85 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 0 |
| Jordan Mason | RB | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Deebo Samuel | WR | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 71 | 0 |
| George Kittle | TE | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 128 | 1 |
| Ricky Pearsall | WR | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 39 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 38 | 0 |
| Patrick Taylor | RB | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Common Questions About Cowboys-49ers
What was the final score between Dallas and San Francisco on October 27, 2024?
San Francisco defeated Dallas 30-24 at Levi’s Stadium before 71,521 fans.
Who were the top performers in the Cowboys-49ers contest?
San Francisco was led by Brock Purdy (260 passing yards, 56 rushing yards, 2 total TDs), George Kittle (128 receiving yards, 1 TD), and Isaac Guerendo (85 rushing yards, 1 TD). Dallas got a monster performance from CeeDee Lamb (13 catches, 146 yards, 2 TDs) in the losing effort.
What shifted momentum in the Cowboys vs 49ers game?
The third quarter turned the tide completely. Dak Prescott’s interception on Dallas’s first possession after halftime sparked a 21-0 San Francisco scoring run that turned a 10-6 deficit into a 27-10 lead.
How did injury absences affect the Cowboys’ performance against the 49ers?
Micah Parsons’ ankle injury proved devastating for Dallas. Without their defensive star, the Cowboys couldn’t generate pressure on Purdy or contain San Francisco’s rushing attack.
Did Dak Prescott continue his turnover problems against the 49ers?
Unfortunately for Dallas, yes. Prescott threw 2 more interceptions, marking his third straight game with multiple picks. This alarming streak hasn’t been seen from a Cowboys quarterback in 32 years.
How badly did San Francisco outrun Dallas in this matchup?
The rushing disparity was staggering: 223 yards for San Francisco compared to just 56 for Dallas. The 49ers averaged 6.2 yards per carry while the Cowboys managed only 2.9 yards per attempt.
Did George Kittle have a notable performance in the Cowboys game?
Kittle celebrated “National Tight Ends Day” in style with 6 catches for 128 yards and a TD. He also surpassed 500 career receptions and moved to third place on the 49ers’ all-time receiving yards list.
How did Dalvin Cook perform in his first game with Dallas?
Cook’s Cowboys debut was underwhelming with just 6 carries for 12 yards (2.0 avg) and one reception for 10 yards. The veteran was signed to provide depth after Rico Dowdle fell ill.
This latest Cowboys-49ers matchup upheld the rivalry’s reputation for drama, with San Francisco improving to 20-19-1 in the all-time series. The 49ers’ third-quarter explosion, rushing dominance, and turnover-free performance proved too much for Dallas to overcome despite CeeDee Lamb’s heroic effort and a spirited fourth-quarter rally.
For complete details on this game, check the full scoring summary or view the comprehensive box score.
