SANTA CLARA — The 49ers seem incapable of playing a normal game.
Sunday was no exception.
The 49ers messed around for two quarters, blew the doors off the Cowboys in the third quarter, and then did that thing they do so well: let their opponent back into the game.
In the end, the 49ers survived, beating Dallas 30-24, evening the team’s record to 4-4 heading into its bye week. Here are the studs and duds from the contest.
STUDS
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George Kittle • TE
» When you create your own holiday, you have to perform well when it hits on the calendar.
Kittle didn’t mess around on National Tight Ends Day, catching 6 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown.
The Cowboys did what so many other teams have done in recent weeks against the Niners — played man-to-man coverage. Kittle was able to beat it with ease.
Isaac Guerendo • RB
» The rookie running back was just what the doctor ordered on Sunday. Once he took over as the No. 1 back following Jordan Mason’s shoulder injury, the Niners started moving the ball with aplomb. Guerendo ran 14 times for 85 yards and added three catches for 17 yards. Remember when running backs caught passes in the Niners’ offense?
Is it any coincidence that Brock Purdy started playing better with a check-down option on offense? I think not.
The only blemish? A terrible blitz pickup on the penultimate drive, leaving Purdy to be speared on a critical second down.
Ricky Pearsall • WR
» This is why the 49ers drafted him in the first round. He repeatedly won in man-to-man coverage and had a big 39-yard end-around run — the same play that Deebo Samuel failed to turn into anything on multiple times on Sunday.
Deommodore Lenoir • DB
» His impressive third-quarter interception was the game’s turning point for San Francisco. One can make the case that Lenoir is the best defender on the Niners right now. And yes, I know Nick Bosa and Fred Warner are still playing.
Ji’Ayir Brown • S
» Dallas tried to spread out the Niners’ defense and put Brown in one-on-one situations. The second-year safety thrived, stuffing the run repeatedly, getting pressure on Dak Prescott on blitzes, and intercepting the Dallas quarterback on a rare play where he was the single-high safety.
Renardo Green • CB
» The rookie has taken over as the Niners’ second outside cornerback and is thriving. He found himself one-on-one with Ceedee Lamb a handful of times on Sunday, and Dak Prescott didn’t even try to go Green’s way. The same cannot be said for Charvarious Ward.
Sam Okuayinonu • DE
» Where would the Niners be if they had not found a way to bring him back after cutting him in late August? Not at 4-4, that’s for sure.
DUDS
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49ers Interior Defensive Linemen
» The Cowboys were able to wash out Maliek Collins, Jordan Elliott, Evan Anderson, and Kalia Davis from the opening snap of the contest.
Leonard Floyd • DE
» The veteran drew a plum assignment on Sunday — rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton, who is struggling in a big way. Did you notice Floyd?
Eric Saubert • TE
» His clear-as-day holding penalty took a 66-yard touchdown off the board.