Deion Sanders dancing to celebrate an interception. Emmitt Smith limping slowly off the field in defeat.
Those two images sum up the rise and fall of the Cowboys in Sunday's 17-10 loss to San Francisco, a game that confirmed the 49ers' return to the top of the NFC and highlighted Dallas' deep offensive problems.The 49ers (8-1) used solid defense, including a last-minute interception by Tim McDonald to halt a final Dallas drive, to win their eighth straight game. The other seven victories had come against peers in the weak NFC West.
"Some naysayers may say we beat the Cowboys on an off year, but the win says it all," 49ers offensive lineman Ray Brown said. "The bottom line is we're 8-1 and we beat the teams on our schedule."
The Cowboys (4-5), who have not had a losing record this late in the season since 1990, lost Smith in the first half with a strained left groin. His status is uncertain for this coming weekend.
Sanders, who set up the Cowboys' only touchdown with a 31-yard interception return in the first quarter, said it was not time to panic.
"Like I say each week, I haven't seen that emergency glass broken in the locker room," said Sanders, who had another interception - an acrobatic, one-handed catch - called back by a penalty. "But I'm going to keep my eye on it this week."
The Cowboys led 7-0 at halftime on a 5-yard scoring pass from Troy Aikman to Michael Irvin. San Francisco tied it by starting the third quarter with a 77-yard drive, culminating with Garrison Hearst's 8-yard scoring run.
Dallas, with the league's second-worst touchdown scoring percentage inside an opponent's 20, got to the San Francisco 1 late in the third quarter but had to settle for Richie Cunningham's 21-yard field goal.
San Francisco's top-ranked defense took over in the final period.
Dana Stubblefield sacked Aikman inside the Dallas 5, and punter Toby Gowin, standing in his own end zone, shanked a kick that gave the 49ers great field position. J.J. Stokes made a leaping catch to bring the ball to the Dallas 1, and William Floyd scored from there to give the 49ers a 14-10 lead.
"The kicking game collapsed in the fourth quarter and created terrible field position. That was a killer," Dallas coach Barry Switzer said. "We have a fine football team, and it's a shame we continue to make critical mistakes."
Gary Anderson added a 28-yard field goal with 2:15 remaining - tying Jan Stenerud for second on the NFL career list with 373 field goals - and McDonald's interception sealed the San Francisco victory.
The 49ers survived a scare two plays before McDonald's interception when officials picked up a flag on what appeared to be a pass interference call in the end zone. But the officials ruled Rod Woodson's trip of Irvin was incidental and not a foul.
Smith, who injured his groin in the first quarter and tried to return in the second period before leaving the game for good, watched stoicly from the sideline as the final drive ended unsuc-cess-fully.
"It ain't no pleasant feeling watching your teammates go out to battle without you. It's frustrating," Smith said.
Smith gained 31 yards on seven carries before leaving the game.
"I tried to go back in. I ran a sweep play and I had some running room in there, but my leg wouldn't do what I wanted it to do," said Smith, who added it was too early to tell if he'll be able to play this week against Arizona.
Steve Young was 15-of-23 for 180 yards for the 49ers. Aikman went 22-of-36 for 218 yards.
Hearst had 22 carries for 104 yards for the 49ers. He went over 3,000 yards for his career, ending the day with 3,072 yards.
San Francisco and Dallas have met six times in the NFC championship game and have 10 Super Bowl titles between them. No championship was on the line this time, but the game revealed two teams headed in different directions.
The 49ers are tied with Denver for the best record in the league. The Cowboys have seven games left to try to qualify for the playoffs.
Even with the win, the 49ers know their soft schedule will lead to questions about their ability.
"There'll be doubters until we win the championship," Young said. "Who cares? We're on our way."