Deommodore Lenoir's interception leads to 49ers' first score

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- For the second week in a row, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir came up with the game's first interception, and it got the Niners on the board first in Sunday's NFC divisional playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys.

With 5:55 left in the first quarter, the Cowboys faced a third-and-9 at their 21-yard line. Quarterback Dak Prescott dropped back and fired down the left sideline for wide receiver Michael Gallup. But Lenoir jumped in front of the pass, intercepted it at Dallas' 27 and returned it to the 21.

Lenoir became the first Niners player with interceptions in consecutive postseason games since Richard Shermanin the 2020 divisional round and the NFC Championship Game.

San Francisco was unable to capitalize with a touchdown, however, settling for a 26-yard field goal from Robbie Gould to take a 3-0 lead with 2:12 left in the opening quarter.