9ers defeated the Cowboys by catching lightning in a “Bobble” 

California’s Santa Clara The San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys’ NFC divisional-round playoff game on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium was turning into a fight of attrition, fumbles, field position, traditional defense, and — prepare to swallow hard — kickers. Although both teams possessed stoppers, neither team had weapons, leaving you to wonder if the outcome would be determined by someone’s foot or by inches. Instead, George Kittle produced a moment so momentous and a catch so mind-blowing and legend-making that it saved this parsimonious small-yardage game and helped the 49ers advance to the NFC championship game with a suggestively grudging score of 19-12. Kittle laughed and added, “I was trying to be theatrical.” 

Deborah Samuel Ezekiel Elliott’s 26 yards for the Cowboys appeared to be huge strides in comparison to his 11 yards on the ground. The 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey, who qualified as a major scorer with his two-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter set up by “The Bobble,” stated, “It was some tough runs, some tough yardage out there.” 

In the locker room, the 49ers were referring to Kittle’s play as such. Dwight Clark was the one to snag “The Catch” from Joe Montana in January 1982, the leaping fingertip snare that defeated the Cowboys to secure a trip to the Super Bowl and usher in a triumphant era for this squad. The 49ers still need to beat the top-seeded Philadelphia Eagles to compete for the Lombardi Trophy, according to “The Bobble,” which was less conclusive. Nevertheless, it will be part of a timeless reel that is often viewed. 

In the locker room, the 49ers were referring to Kittle’s play as such. Dwight Clark was the one to snag “The Catch” from Joe Montana in January 1982, the leaping fingertip snare that defeated the Cowboys to secure a trip to the Super Bowl and usher in a triumphant era for this squad. The 49ers still need to beat the top-seeded Philadelphia Eagles to compete for the Lombardi Trophy, according to “The Bobble,” which was less conclusive. Nevertheless, it will be part of a timeless reel that is often viewed. 

He allowed me a shot at the ball after spotting the white hand floating up, according to Kittle. It had been an oddly stagnant game up until that point. Huge offensive expectations were there before the start of the game, which took place in ideal, clear, chilly football weather. A brisk north wind stiffened the red-and-gold tailgater flags in the parking lots, giving them the appearance of fields filled with

combat armies from the Middle Ages. There were scorchers everywhere on the field and an abundance of nimble skill players in this ninth playoff encounter between the rivals, tying the previous record. The 23-year-old Purdy, the unanticipated youthful star who replaced his more costly and vulnerable older counterpart (in terms of pro experience), the injured Trey Burton, led the 49ers into the game full of octane and surprise. Mike McCarthy, the coach of the Cowboys, made a statement about Purdy last week. Because of his combination of sound judgment and blazing throws, the 49ers had not scored less than 37 points in any of their previous four postseason games. 

But the Cowboys’ huge pass rushers, Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence were precisely what they meant to inflict on Purdy, causing him to become frantic. On the game’s second play, the Cowboys sacked Purdy, raising the question, “What would the youngster do?” Could the Cowboys confuse or frighten him into making the errors and poor throws that would have ended the game that he had so far avoided? In the days preceding the game, Parsons was almost patronizing when discussing the matter; he avoided calling Purdy a cute child at all costs. 

He said with a strangely excessive kindness, “I’m an admirer of Purdy.”  I believe he entered and handled everything well. He prepared as though he would start, and when his turn came, he did not disappoint. I most certainly wouldn’t undervalue him. I’m quite eager to face him since he may have startled some people in the beginning, who likely believed that no novice could ever enter and defeat us. Let’s investigate what he has. 

Purdy was able to maintain his composure under all circumstances and had the good judgment to only strive to perform his part. Brock wasn’t inconsolable. Kittle subsequently recalled that no jitteriness existed. With no interceptions, Purdy would complete 19 of his 29 passes for 214 yards. He bided his time, waiting for cowboys.  Cowboys, it was how long they could withstand the overpowering toughness and quantity of the 49ers on both sides of the ball. Teams that faced the 49ers this season were 0-15 the following week, which is an amazing record considering how thoroughly they destroyed their opponents. Dak Prescott of the

The Cowboys, not Purdy, were under pressure when he made two interceptions that resulted in two of Robbie Gould’s four field goals. 

It might be difficult to follow this expertly designed but powerful and muscly 49ers team at times, and at other times it can be like watching a tank. How is a foe meant to stop a tank and a magic trick at the same time? When Purdy twirled out on his naked bootleg and Kittle took off down the middle waving his white-gloved hand with just over five minutes remaining in the third quarter, that was the problem the Cowboys were facing. 

Purdy noticed it; he kept his gaze upfield and allowed a vector to travel directly to his free-running tight end. 

Kittle tipped the ball with that gloved hand. He juggled it like a sleight-of-hand performer while running. It danced once, twice, and then flew away, tickling his helmet. Kittle caught the ball with the tips of both gloved hands, dragged it into his middle, and, with a godawful catch of 30 yards, shoulder-rolled to the ground. 

In a subdued white T-shirt, Purdy later calmly reflected on the play. “It seemed like it was 10 seconds of bobbling.” I exclaimed, “Come on, guy.” The 49ers were now too strong for the Cowboys to hold off, at least not without holding them against their will. It was palpable across the entire stadium, and Purdy said, “Man, that felt amazing.” 

The 49ers’ lone touchdown drive of the evening featured Kittle’s catch, a superb combination of strength and skill. The drive had covered 91 yards by the time McCaffrey sprinted into the end zone on his two-yard thrust with 14:58 remaining in the game. Our offense is starting to pick up a little. “We’ve got a little of our swagger going,” Kittle remarked. 

From that point on, it was similar to witnessing a choker tighten his hold. The Cowboys were reduced to increasingly useless and desperate wriggling. With 11:03 remaining, Brett Maher’s 43-yard field goal made the 49ers’ lead 16-12. But even so, Maher had lost an opportunity to add an extra point in the second quarter, so the gap remained at four points. Yes, it’s his fifth postseason miss, and this one was blocked. Once more in control, the 49ers held onto the ball for nearly eight minutes before settling for Gould’s 28-yard field goal. Purdy described this as “chewing the clock.” 

Although the final margin appeared to be small, the play that finally gave the 49ers the lead was a legendary monster.