The Dallas Cowboys claimed an early advantage in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers on "Sunday Night Football,'' taking a 7-3 lead following Ezekiel Elliott’s 1-yard touchdown plunge. This scoring drive marks a pivotal moment as Dallas capitalizes on its first Red Zone opportunity, showcasing balanced play-calling and effective execution.
Starting at their own 35-yard line late in the 1st quarter, quarterback Dak Prescott orchestrated a methodical 11-play drive that featured key contributions from wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and running back Dalvin Cook. Prescott’s precision on a 15-yard completion to Lamb and Elliott’s 11-yard burst moved the Cowboys deep into 49ers territory.
Tight end Jake Ferguson kept the momentum alive with a clutch 10-yard reception on 3rd-and-10, placing the Cowboys within striking distance. Tight end Luke Schoonmaker would draw a defensive pass interference penalty from the end zone placing the Cowboys at the 49ers 1-yard line.
Facing a 1st-and-goal from the 49ers’ 1-yard line after a defensive pass interference call, Elliott wasted no time, punching in the score on the next play to put Dallas on top 7-3. The drive, consuming significant time and covering 65 yards, highlighted the Cowboys’ resilience and ability to adjust offensively after an early field goal by San Francisco.
Zeke is the starter tonight with newly-activated Dalvin Cook in play as Rico Dowdle was scratched as the team said he was sick before kickoff.
As Dallas focuses on maintaining this momentum, Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense will aim to sustain balanced production against a 49ers defense known for pressuring the backfield. With Elliott’s powerful scoring run, Dallas has shown it can break through San Francisco’s defensive front—a promising sign as the game unfolds.
