With six seconds left on the clock and a touchdown, dallas cowboys found themselves in a position that demanded some trickery at their own 24-yard line for any shot in the end zone.
But no one expected what the Cowboys did on the second down to the final play in a 19–12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, who advanced to the NFC Championship.
ezekiel elliott running back was the center for Dallas, and no other offensive lineman surrounded him. Instead, the linemen were spread wide to the left and right of the line of scrimmage, and it was clear that the Cowboys were trying to pull off something crazy in their last-ditch effort.
Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers meets with Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys after the NFL Divisional Round Playoff football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Santa Clara, California . ,
(Michael Owens / Getty Images)
Instead, the drama ended really quickly.
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As Elliott tosses the ball – he is quickly run over 49ers rushing pass – Prescott had a quick fall before throwing to rookie Kavonte Turpin, who was struck out immediately to end the game.
49ers beat Cowboys, advance to NFC Championship Game, keep winning streak
Turpin’s linemen could not reach Jimmy Ward fast enough for a block, and it was easy for the veteran cornerback to seal the deal.
The Cowboys’ streak of not reaching the NFC Championship since 1995 continued, and as was the case last year, it came down to a strange final game.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Cattle (85) runs against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland (26) during the first half of an NFL Divisional Round Playoff football game on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, in Santa Clara, California.
(AP Photo/Josie Leppe)
This time, it made more sense for Dallas to try to trick the 49ers. Last season, however, when Prescott ran up the middle to gain more yardage, the clock expired and the 49ers celebrated at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
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Cowboys fans were furious considering Dallas had a shot to win the game with the touchdown. But, instead of sharing the anger and bitterness on social media, NFL Twitter simply lambasted the play design.
Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts during the second half of the game against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFC Divisional Playoff game at Levi’s Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Santa Clara, California.
(Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
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It’s back to the drawing board once again for Jerry Jones and the Cowboys, who will go into the offseason without meeting their Super Bowl goal.