Grading 49ers' offense, defense in playoff win over Cowboys - NBC Sports Bay Area

The 49ers remained upright long enough to hold on for a 23-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the playoffs.

Rookie Elijah Mitchell got the tough yards, as he carried 27 times for 96 yards and a touchdown.

Deebo Samuel came through with 72 yards and a touchdown on 10 rushing attempts.

The 49ers could have put the game away with a quarterback sneak late in the fourth quarter, but Jimmy Garoppolo got a little eager and the ball was snapped before Trent Williams, who shifted to the right side, could get set.

The Cowboys turned that turnover into a touchdown.

Other than the Cowboys’ first touchdown drive, which came midway through the second quarter, the 49ers’ front seven completely shut down Dallas’ running game.

Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott managed just 31 yards on 12 rushing attempts.

Dallas rushed for just 77 yards on 21 attempts.

Prescott completed 23 of 43 pass attempts for 254 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Nickel back K’Waun Williams, who surrendered the touchdown in the first half, made a huge interception in the third quarter.

The 49ers’ best defensive player, Nick Bosa, sustained a concussion in the first half and was sidelined for most of the game.

(It should be noted that Gould also has the longest field goal in franchise history, 54 yards against Green Bay in the 2019 NFC Championship Game.).

Dallas averaged just 4.4 yards per offensive play, and that is 1.6 yards fewer than their average during the regular season.

Shanahan dialed up a run play around the right side, and Samuel delivered with a 26-yard touchdown run.

The 49ers made too many mistakes in the second half

The 49ers came to Dallas as the No