By Morris Phillips

If Week 1 2014 seemed like your opportunity to figure out where the 49ers stack up in the race for the NFC Championship and then on to Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, Arizona then that opportunity never really materialized.

You can thank Tony Romo for that, and by extension, the Dallas Cowboys.

The NFC runners up were gifted an Opening Day victory by the mistake-riddled Cowboys who fell behind 21-3 before the 49ers had the need to run more than four offensive plays.   On the second play of the game, Chris Culliver scooped up Dallas’ DeMarco Murray’s fumble and raced into the end zone from 35 yards out to give the 49ers their first touchdown of the season.  Three Romo interceptions would follow before halftime, at which point the 49ers had a commanding 28-3 lead.

The 49ers hadn’t received four or more turnovers from an opponent in one half since 2009.  They hadn’t scored at least 21 points in the first quarter in over 18 seasons.

“Everyone was ready to get to the season, ready to play and ready to start putting these wins together,” Colin Kaepernick said

While Romo’s poor play deflated the Cowboys, it also played heavily into a career-best first half for Kaepernick.  The 49ers’ quarterback completed 11 of 13 passes in the first half, all made possible by excellent field position and opportunities given by Romo and the Cowboys.  Kaepernick’s two touchdown passes—both in the quick-strike first quarter–went to Vernon Davis.

Kaepernick finished 16 of 23 for 201 yards and was sacked just once, much due to the health of pass targets Davis, Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin, who were joined by new acquisitions Brandon Lloyd and Stevie Johnson in the team’s three-receiver sets.  Boldin looked ageless, finishing with 8 catches for 99 yards.

The 49ers’ Alex Boone, who held out the entire pre-season, saw time at his normal right guard spot but did not start with Joe Looney still ahead of him.  Boone figures to resume his starting position with a second, full-week of practice to come.

While the 49ers’ offense appeared healthy and productive, the defense continued to experience issues, losing a pair of defenders–Culliver and rookie Jimmie Ward—to concussions.  Defensive lineman Ray McDonald, who allegedly struck his fiancé and was arrested last weekend, did start with the 49ers stating that they will allow the legal process to play out before deciding if McDonald will continue to be a member of the team.   With all the tumult, 35-year old defensive tackle Justin Smith was a rock, sacking Romo twice.

The 49ers will be without pass rush specialist Aldon Smith for the first nine games of the season due to his repeated violations of NFL conduct policies, and All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman will miss at least the first seven games of the year to mend his fractured leg.

Seven 49ers’ rookies saw action in the game, most significantly corner back Dontae Johnson, who replaced Culliver and was the team’s only healthy corner at the game’s conclusion.  Aaron Lynch saw time as a pass rush specialist, Bruce Ellington assumed the duties of the starting kick returner ahead of LaMichael James, and running back Carlos Hyde scored the first touchdown of his career in the second.

The 49ers play their first ever regular season game at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday night when the Chicago Bears come to Santa Clara.