With the entire NFL watching, the San Francisco 49ers put a beatdown on the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night at Levi’s Stadium.
Let’s hand out some game balls.
Game Ball 1: Brock Purdy
Brock Purdy completed 17 of his 24 pass attempts for 252 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. With the four touchdown throws, Purdy has now thrown at least two in a game eight times in his career. This ties him with Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner for most games with at least two touchdown throws in a player’s first ten career starts. The first quarter was a bit up and down for Purdy. After hitting all four passes on the opening drive, including a touchdown to George Kittle, he completed just two of his next six.
Purdy was nearly perfect in the second half. He completed 8 of 9 attempts for 119 yards and two touchdowns before being pulled from the game less than two minutes into the fourth quarter.
Since stepping into the lineup against Miami, Purdy has completed 70 percent of his passes (208-297) for 2,579 yards with 22 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.
Game Ball 2: George Kittle
George Kittle recorded 3 receptions for 67 yards, all going for touchdowns. His three scores were a career-high and pushed him into second place in 49ers franchise history for tight ends. Kittle’s 34 receiving touchdowns are one more than Brent Jones.
Kittle’s three touchdown performance was the first for a 49ers tight end since Vernon Davis had three against the Houston Texans in 2009.
Game Ball 3: Colton McKivitz
Throughout the offseason there was talk about the 49ers offensive line being its Achilles Heel, especially after the team chose not to draft a tackle and stick with McKivitz. The cries grew louder after he allowed three sacks to T.J. Watt in the season opener at Pittsburgh.
Facing one of the best pass rushers in the NFL on Sunday night, McKivitz did not allow a hit on Brock Purdy. Neither Michah Parsons nor DeMarcus Lawrence were able to get to the quarterback.
In addition to the stellar pass protection, McKivitz helped open holes in the run game. He could be seen putting Lawrence on his back during McCaffrey’s touchdown run in the third quarter.
Game Ball 4: Fred Warner
Warner was all over the field against Dallas and showed why he is the best linebacker in the NFL today. He recorded eight tackles, sacked Dak Prescott, forced a fumble and came away with an interception.
On one play in particular Warner’s coverage took away the throwing lane for Dak Prescott. When the Cowboys quarterback left the pocket, Warner chased him down to record the sack. This is stuff you can’t teach.
Game Ball 5: Deommodore Lenoir
Lenoir is one of the most underrated players on the 49ers defense.
On Sunday night he was all over the Cowboys receivers. Lenoir was targeted in coverage 5 times, allowing just 2 receptions for 14 yards.
It was Lenoir who created the interception for Fred Warner early in the fourth quarter.
Lenoir had tight coverage on Michael Gallup who was running a slant. The 49ers cornerback was able to get his hand on the pass and the deflection went right to Warner for the turnover.