After an incredible final phase, the San Francisco 49ers defeat the Dallas Cowboys and move into the Divisonal Playoffs. Numerous flags and an unbelievable ending kept the suspense going until the very end.

Munich/Dallas – A chaotic last quarter and a crazy ending cost the Dallas Cowboys a chance to make the Divisional Playoffs. In a wild game, San Francisco prevailed and advanced to the next round with a 23-17 win.

For the first time since 1995 and the eighth time in NFL history, the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys met in the playoffs.

San Francisco started the game with a perfect drive that Elijah Mitchell finished with a run into the end zone. As good as the Niners’ first drive was, the Dallas Cowboys’ first two drives were weak. After three and five plays respectively, they had to give up their right of attack again via punt. The 49ers extended their lead to 13-0 with two field goals.

The Cowboys were finally able to show their offensive potential on the field. A 67-yard drive was capped off by quarterback Dak Prescott, who had a rather disappointing game until then, with a 20-yard pass to Amari Cooper, who was able to catch the ball in the end zone and put the Cowboys on the scoreboard. 7:13 from the Texans’ point of view.

Another field goal by Robbie Gould made it 16-7 from the visitors’ point of view at halftime.

Strong “Niners” defence in the third quarter

The second half was dominated by the defence of the San Francisco 49ers, who had to do without their star defensive end Nick Bosa since the second quarter. He had to leave the field with a head injury after a collision with D.J. Jones. Dak Prescott was sacked several times and forced into an interception. On the very next play Deebo Samuel scored a 26-yard rushing touchdown to go up 23:7.

Down by 16 points in the final quarter, the Cowboys then dug deep into their bag of tricks. A fake punt gave the special team a new first down and they subsequently reduced the deficit with a field goal.

Crazy ending makes for 49ers win

And then it got really exciting once again. After an interception by “Jimmy G”, Prescott himself ran into the end zone and brought the Cowboys back to 17:23. Both teams were on the verge of throwing the game away several times.

In the end, the Cowboys lacked exactly one second to at least get another chance of a Hail Mary. After a run of his own that ended in the field, Prescott wanted to throw the ball on the ground to stop the clock. He was unable to do so, partly because the umpires cut an unfortunate figure.

The season is over for the Cowboys. San Francisco will now face the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round. The following fact should give the 49ers additional self-confidence: Five times the winner of this play-off encounter has gone on to win the Super Bowl.