The statistical oddity of the year, so far, had been the fact that the Dallas Cowboys were 3-0 away from home but 0-3 at home.
That is no longer the case after Sunday night’s second-half collapse in a 30-24 loss at San Francisco.
For at least one half, it looked like the Cowboys might actually have a chance to win. They led 10-6, despite a first-half interception by Dak Prescott.
Then the 49ers put up 21 unanswered points in the third quarter.
Game over, even despite the furious comeback bid in the final minutes.
San Francisco was as beat up as Dallas coming into the game. Both teams were missing key players, but when it mattered, the 49ers stepped up.
The Cowboys didn’t until it was too late, an all-too common refrain for Dallas and Prescott. They manage to show up after they are too far behind to pull off the comeback.
Now, Dallas is 2.5 games out of first place and only one game ahead of the Giants, who play the Steelers tonight, for last place in the division.
At 3-4 now, with 10 games remaining on the schedule, the Cowboys have little margin for error. They also have a tough schedule ahead.
They need at least seven wins in those 10 games.
The way the team is playing right now, they’ll be lucky to win three of those 10 games.
Under Cooked
Dalvin Cook was called up earlier this week and a pregame illness suffered by Rico Dowdle opened the door for a huge debut.
Unfortunately, Cook got six carries for 12 yards and caught a 10-yard pass in his Dallas debut against the 49ers. Ezekiel Elliott got his second start but fared little better.
Elliott had 34 yards and a short touchdown on 10 carries along with a four-yard pass reception.
The Cowboys seemingly can’t run the ball. Evidenced by a third-and-five run by Hunter Luepke that went nowhere when the middle linebacker was unblocked and stuffed the play at the line.
Scoragami, Predictions, and History…oh, my
The final score of 30-24 was the fifth time in Cowboys history that a game ended with that score.
They are just 1-4 in those games and have lost the last three games with that final score.
Earlier this year I laid out my predictions. I had Dallas losing this game to fall to 2-5.
They are currently a game ahead of my prediction of 8-9.
Unfortunately, I had them beating the Falcons next week. I don’t think that prediction is going to hold up, which will put the team back on my predicted track.
The loss dropped Dallas to 36-21 all-time in Week eight games, 12-11 when playing them away from Dallas.
The 49ers are now 21-19-1 all-time against Dallas. The 49ers are 12-10 at home against the Cowboys and have won the last four games overall.
The Eye In The Sky
At this point, especially with the technology available, it is time for the NFL to add another member to the officiating crew. This one would be upstairs in front of several TV monitors.
Here’s why:
There is already a “replay assist” that chimes in from time to time. It is clearly quick enough to allow it to be a full-time feature.
Because that call should never have been missed.
Not that Minnesota was guaranteed to score at the end of the drive or make the two-point conversion. But they should have had the ball 15 yards further down the field with enough time on the clock to have a chance.
That non-call took that chance away.
And you can add the missed fair catch interference call in the Sunday night game that benefited Dallas too.
The NFL has a way to eliminate these missed calls. They need to start using it.
National Tight End Day
Apparently, the NFL’s offensive coordinators got the memo.
On the sixth annual National Tight End Day, thank George Kittle for this bit of insanity, tight ends accounted for 16 touchdowns on Sunday. The most in the brief history of the “Day.”
And yes, Kittle scored a touchdown. Because, of course he did.
They also had their most combined receptions on their special day.
Think we could start a “National Get The Cowboys A Competent Owner/Front Office Day” sometime soon?
The Perfect 8
Just eight teams remain unbeaten in the FBS in college football after last weekend’s games.
Navy got knocked off of the unbeaten pillar by Notre Dame on Saturday.
That leaves Army, BYU, Indiana, Iowa State, Miami, Oregon, Penn State, and Pittsburgh with perfect records.
The other thing they have in common? None of them play in the SEC.
That suits me just fine.
Go For The Win
I’m not a fan of the college overtime rule. So, when Duke went for the win in OT instead of playing it safe to go into a second OT, I stood up and cheered.
Yes, they failed to score and lost to SMU, 28-27. But I would like to see the second team to score a TD in overtime go for it more often.
Put an end to the game, one way or the other, at the end of the first overtime.