By Samuel Lam
SAN FRANCISCO - The San Francisco 49ers blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead and gave up a 19-yard chip shot field goal in overtime, losing to the Dallas Cowboys 27-24 at Candlestick Park on Sunday.
Quarterback Tony Romo connected with receiver Jesse Holley for a 77-yard pass to set up the winning score. The fourth-quarter comeback was completed when kicker Dan Bailey connected on a 48-yard field goal at the end of regulation.
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo suffered fractured ribs and was unable to start the second half, leaving backup Jon Kitna to overtake the signal calling for Dallas. But after two interceptions thrown by Kitna, the last one leading to a 29-yard touchdown catch by 49ers tight end Delanie Walker, the Cowboys had Romo return to the game late in the third quarter.
Romo was able to close the deficit to 24-21 with a 25-yard touchdown pass to receiver Miles Austin, his third score of the game, down the right sideline halfway through the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Alex Smith threw a decent game for the 49ers, finishing the game completing 16-of-24 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns, but was sacked six times. He also had an interception that led to a Cowboys touchdown drive.
San Francisco jumped to an early lead by scoring the first two touchdowns of the game. The first points of the game came early in the second quarter on a 68-yard touchdown drive. With the 49ers on the Dallas 26-yard line, a bad snap from center Jonathan Goodwin sailed over Alex Smith's head. Smith recovered the ball, rolled right and heaved a prayer to running back Frank Gore, who was held by linebacker Bradie James in the end zone. The pass interference call would set up a 1-yard rush by Gore for the touchdown.
After a Dallas three-and-out, the 49ers added another touchdown on a 48-yard drive that ended on a 12-yard fade route to receiver Kyle Williams. On a third-and-6 play, Williams got enough separation from cornerback Mike Jenkins and secured the catch with his right hand while maintaining both feet inbounds. The touchdown gave the 49ers a 14-0 lead halfway through the second quarter.
The Cowboys finally found an offensive rhythm after the Williams score. An offsides penalty by linebacker Ahmad Brooks gave the Cowboys a replay on third down, and Romo connected Austin on a 53-yard touchdown. Cornerback Tramaine Brock, who had left the game earlier with a left hand injury, was on the coverage and slipped on the play as Austin made the short catch before winning the footrace to the end zone.
Austin would score again on a 5-yard touchdown pass after cornerback Alan Ball intercepted a pass off Alex Smith.
Dallas had a chance to score first on its opening drive with Romo connecting with tight end Jason Witten on two passes for 47 yards. The drive stalled on the 49ers' 3-yard line and Bailey shanked the 21-yard field-goal attempt.
Game Notes: Romo had a stretch of seven straight incompletions in the first half, which led to three straight Dallas three-and-outs on offense… 49ers wide receiver Braylon Edwards had a right knee injury early in the first quarter and did not return. … David Akers' 55-yard field goal in the fourth quarter is the longest in Candlestick Park history.
