A game that featured two teams seemingly doing everything they could to lose ended in bizarre and controversial fashion as the San Francisco 49ers held off the Dallas Cowboys 23-17 in an NFC wild-card game on Sunday.
Thanks to a San Francisco false start on fourth and one, Dallas got one more shot to tie it or win the game with 32 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Dak Prescott made multiple connections on the final drive of the contest, bringing up second and one at the Niners' 40-yard line with 14 seconds to go.
Instead of going with the anticipated passing play, Prescott and the offense ran a quarterback draw, resulting in a chunk gain and bringing the ball inside the 25-yard line. Without any timeouts though, the Cowboys were forced to rush up field and attempt a last-second spike to stop the clock.
They never ended up getting that final chance.
What a way to end the game! #SuperWildCard pic.twitter.com/esKKpbkrQn
— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2022
THE REF GOT IN THE WAY OF A COWBOYS GAME WINNING PLAY. WHAT pic.twitter.com/KltfkUWOCw
— SB Nation (@SBNation) January 17, 2022
The play call, along with the contact Prescott had with the official, had scores of fans and media members baffled and shocked after the final whistle. No. 6 San Francisco will take on the top-seeded Green Bay Packers next weekend in the NFC Divisional round.
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