The San Francisco 49ers were able to beat the Dallas Cowboys 23-17 to advance to the NFC Divisional Round on Sunday after a botched final drive by the Cowboys sealed the game.
While trailing 23-17 with less than a minute left, the Dak Prescott-led Cowboys were able to get the ball back for one final effort to tie the game. After stringing together several successful passes, the team called a designed run for Prescott to scramble up the field and attempt to spike the ball before time expired. He was unable to do so fast enough and the game ended.
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Prescott finished 23-of-42 for 254 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Niners quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t fare much better, finishing 16-of-25 for 172 yards with no touchdowns and an interception.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy defended his play-calling after the game, telling reporters, “That was the best option … it’s the right decision.”
Penalties played a massive role in the result, as the Cowboys tied for the most ever in a playoff game with 14 flags thrown against them.
“Not good enough,” Prescott told reporters after the game. “I take accountability for this loss. I’ve got to be better.”
[Via]