The Dallas Cowboys and Tony Romo were too much for the San Francisco 49ers to handle in a 27 – 24 loss. The San Francisco 49ers took an early lead but could not hold on to it and eventually lost in overtime on a 19 yard field goal by rookie kicker Dan Bailey. On a play in the second quarter Tony Romo was hurt on a hit to his blindside. Romo suffered a punctured lung and cracked ribs. When it looked like Romo was done for the day after missing a few series in the second half he saddled back up and carried the Dallas Cowboys to victory.
The first quarter started with a 7 minute and 30 second 14 play 70 yard drive by the Cowboys only to see Dan Bailey miss a 21 yard field goal wide right. After a few punts back and forth the San Francisco 49ers ended the quarter with the ball at the Dallas Cowboys 47 yard line.
The San Francisco 49ers continued down the field with the aid of a few defensive penalties drove the ball down the field for a Frank Gore 1 yard run. The drive totaled 11 plays and 72 yards taking 6 minutes and 40 seconds off the clock. After a Dallas Cowboys 3 and out punted to the San Francisco 49ers Tedd Ginn who returned it 20 yard to the Dallas 48 yard line. Alex Smith proceeded to drive the ball 48 yards on 9 plays capped off by a Kyle Williams 12 yard catch for a touchdown giving the San Francisco 49ers 14 – 0 lead. After a few more punts back and forth the Dallas Cowboys got the ball with less than 4 minutes on the clock drove the ball 71 yards and scored a touchdown on 53 yard pass to Miles Austin to end the half 14 – 7.
The third quarter started with Tony Romo on the bench and John Kitna in the game. Kitna’s first drive was stopped by a Donte Whitner interception but Alex Smith gave it right back by throwing a pick of his own to Alan Ball giving the Cowboys the ball at the San Francisco 49ers 18 yard line. A few plays later Kitna found Mile Austin in the end zone for Austin’s second touchdown of the game. Dallas got the ball back after a San Francisco 49ers punt. After a few more plays Kitna threw his second interception of the game giving the San Francisco 49ers the ball at the Cowboys 29 yard line. Alex Smith took no time on the first play of the drive he found Delanie Walker for a 29 yard pass giving the San Francisco 49ers a 21 – 14 lead to end the third quarter.
After re-entering the ball game at the end of the third quarter Tony Romo went 3 and out and had to punt to the San Francisco 49ers. The San Francisco 49ers got the ball at the Cowboys 46. Unable to get a first down they had to settle for David Akers 55 yard field goal that was good and gave the San Francisco 49ers a 10 point lead. Tony Romo then drove the ball 76 yards on 9 plays ending with a 25 yard touchdown pass to Miles Austin cutting the San Francisco 49ers lead to 3. The San Francisco 49ers could not get anything going when they got the ball and had to punt the ball giving the Dallas Cowboys 4 minutes and 3 seconds on the clock. The Dallas Cowboys drove down the field taking all but 4 second left on the clock to set up a game tying 48 yard field goal for Dan Bailey. Dan Bailey nailed the kick and sent the game into overtime.
In overtime after winning the coin toss and electing to receive the San Francisco 49ers could not do anything with the ball and had to punt after going 3 and out. The Dallas Cowboys got the ball at the Cowboys 22 yard line. On the first play Tony Romo threw a 77 yard pass to Jesse Holley to set up a field goal. With the ball at the San Francisco 49ers 1 yard line Dan Bailey hit the game winning 19 yard field goal to end the game 27 -24.
