Brock Purdy, 49ers offense off to rough start vs. Cowboys

Brock Purdy and the 49ers offense found things difficult in the first half against a tough Cowboys defense, while Dallas’ offense wasn’t much better.

The divisional-round playoff game between the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys was originally anticipated to be a high-scoring affair despite both teams boasting top-five defenses.

After the first two quarters, though, it seems as if the defenses hold the bragging rights.

With one half of play in the books, the Niners managed to squeak ahead of their longtime rivals by a score of 9-6. And that’s in the wake of quarterback Dak Prescott tossing an early interception that sailed into the hands of cornerback Deommodore Lenoir.

Unfortunately for San Francisco, quarterback Brock Purdy and Co. couldn’t capitalize on the subsequent possession, and head coach Kyle Shanahan ultimately had to settle for a field goal after the turnover and favorable field position. And, following Prescott’s second interception thrown, the 49ers were only able to generate another field goal to reclaim the first-half lead.

That wasn’t the only drive on which Purdy and the offense struggled.

Brock Purdy and the 49ers offense stall out early vs. Cowboys

Purdy’s life wasn’t made easier by the fact Dallas was loading the box with six, seven or even eight defenders, thereby taking away the chance of running back Christian McCaffrey exploding for a big play on the ground.

On top of that, the Cowboys’ defensive front was gaining much better push against the Niners offensive line.

During those two quarters, Purdy took two sacks and was hit four times. San Francisco’s offense mustered just 141 total yards and averaged only 4.4 yards per play.

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Dallas had an equally tough time, though, and managed only 136 net yards during the first half.

Against Seattle, Purdy and the 49ers had to wait until the second half before finding a rhythm, but the speed and depth of the Cowboys defense could make the prospects for that happening again a bit more difficult.

Especially with Dallas set to receive the second-half kickoff.