The 49ers and Cowboys' Sunday Night Football matchup was billed as a game of the year. Early in the second quarter, it looked like being a mismatch as the 49ers took a 14-0 lead.

But little in the NFL in games against opponents of Dallas' caliber are rarely straightforward and KaVontae Turpin's 26-yard touchdown trimmed the gap to seven points before the 49ers restored a 14-point lead late in the second quarter.

Here are the key observations from an action-packed first half.

49ers keep streaks alive

The Niners made it look easy on their opening possession, going seven plays and 75 yards on a drive capped by Brock Purdy escaping the pocket and finding George Kittle for a 19-yard touchdown.

It marked the seventh straight game in which the 49ers have scored on their opening possession, their longest such run since 2001.

Late in the second quarter, Christian McCaffrey kept his touchdown streak intact, extending a franchise record by scoring for his 14th consecutive game.

Kittle comes alive

Kittle had only one catch last week as the 49ers cruised to victory over the Cardinals, but he was back as a clear focal point of the passing game in the first half, following up his opening-series touchdown by surging into the endzone for a second after a trick play involving Purdy, McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel.

There are so many mouths to feed in the 49er offense that, in the passing game, a different player will be the star almost every week. This week it appears to be the turn of the perennially unselfish Kittle.

All-Pro Fred's dominant first half

Kittle's second touchdown followed a wild sequence during which 49ers linebacker Fred Warner forced a Tony Pollard fumble, setting up San Francisco on the Dallas 16-yard line, only for McCaffrey to fumble at the two.

Warner was in no mood for San Francisco to waste such an opportunity, and promptly brought Prescott down in the backfield on third down to force a punt that Ray-Ray McCloud returned to the Dallas 38, with the trick play touchdown following on the next play.

On defense, the first half served as a showcase of Warner's All-Pro ability.

Bosa finally gets home

Nick Bosa went into Week 5 as Pro Football Focus' top-graded edge rusher, but had just one sack to show for his efforts in creating disruption.

In essence, Bosa had frequently been winning his rushes without getting home. However, on Dallas' first offensive series, Bosa split a half-sack of Prescott with Arik Armstead.

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year has dominated his matchups with both Dallas tackles, appearing in the mood to add further to an underwhelming sack total.

Slot corner issues exposed

The 49ers haven't had a settled answer at slot corner all season, and the player who has taken the most snaps for San Francisco there in 2023, Isaiah Oliver, was exposed on Dallas' sole touchdown.

Oliver was beat for speed by Turpin, who tracked the ball excellently to make a fine catch in the corner of the endzone.

Former Falcon Oliver is reliant more on his physical frame than his speed, and it will be interesting to see if the 49ers pivot to using Deommodore Lenoir in the slot more often in the second half.

Cris Collinsworth believes Brock Purdy is in the MVP discussion

His comments will surely raise some eyebrows