Looking much like the NFC powers they have been throughout Jim Harbaugh’s tenure as head coach, the 49ers powered to a 28-17 victory at Dallas on Sunday.
The Niners did their best work early, scoring all of their points in the first two quarters en route to a 28-3 halftime lead. Though the Cowboys cut the margin in the second half, the Niners were never in any danger.
49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was sharp in victory, completing 16-of-23 passes for 201 yards and a pair of touchdowns to tight end Vernon Davis, including an impressive 29-yard strike on the run. Wideout Anquan Boldin chipped in with eight catches and 99 yards. The Niners’ ground game was strong, too, with veteran Frank Gore (16 carries, 63 yards) complemented well by promising rookie Carlos Hyde (seven carries, 50 yards, one TD).
Four first-half turnovers, including three Tony Romo interceptions, ruined any legitimate chance of Dallas pulling the upset. And while tailback DeMarco Murray racked up 143 total yards and a rushing touchdown, he had a fumble returned for a San Francisco touchdown in the opening moments of the game, putting Dallas in a 7-0 hole right off the bat. The Dallas defense also struggled early, surrendering 200 yards and three TDs in the first 30 minutes.
Romo’s picks came on three successive first-half drives. The 49ers scored touchdowns after two of the interceptions, and the other was made by 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis in the endzone, likely costing Dallas at least three points.
The Cowboys face the 1-0 Titans in Nashville next Sunday, while the 49ers host the Bears (0-1) Sunday night in the first regular season game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
