This Sunday night matchup lived up to the expectations, at least for the San Fransisco 49ers.
For the Dallas Cowboys, they dismantled teams like the New York Giants, New York Jets, and the New England Patriots. San Francisco, on the other hand, presented a different level of problems.
Dak Prescott led his squad into Levi Stadium with bad intentions for the Bay Area rivals.
They lost the previous two games to this team; to make matters worse, they were playoff matchups. This game had different implications than the last two.
Nevertheless, it was important for Dallas to get the proverbial “monkey” off its back.
If you watched this game, the monkey is clearly still hanging on.
Kyle Shanahan outschemed Dan Quinn and Penalties were the cherry on top
Right off the cuff, penalties against the defense helped the 49ers jump to a 7-0 first-quarter lead.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the yellow flags may eventually be Mike McCarthy’s reason for departure.
While the defense tried everything to keep Dallas in this game, the first quarter was reminiscent of the last two contests against the 49ers.
Watching Donovan Wilson on the first defensive play get a personal flag for trying to rearrange Christian McCaffery’s facemask was a bad start.
Jayron Kearse’s boneheaded play in the neutral zone remains a head-scratcher.
Cowboys S Donovan Wilson heavy hit over middle prompts an unnecessary roughness. Instead of punt, 49ers receive new set of downs on third-down stop, just like with Jayron Kearse offside penalty earlier.
Wilson was notably flagged for face mask on game's first snap.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) October 9, 2023
Oh, and it didn’t stop there. Kearse was on fire in the first half, not in a good way.
He received a taunting penalty, but luckily for him, Wilson earned a “questionable” (at best) personal foul penalty extending another 49er possession.
Somehow, the referees were preoccupied with some unknown tasks when Tony Pollard was flipped on his head when he was clearly out of bounds.
Where is the flag?? #CowboysNation #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/8lMXcCjCv2
— ✭ Lacy ✭ (@FBCowboysQueen) October 9, 2023
The penalties were a massive issue for Dallas, but it didn’t stop there.
Kyle Shanahan’s offense did a great job highlighting Brock Purdy’s strengths while neutralizing Micah Parsons for most of the game.
They doubled him, ran right at him, and chipped him with a full back to a point where his pass-rushing abilities were null and void.
The 49ers ran the ball enough to keep the defense honest to hit the play-action passes to George Kittle multiple times, along with Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuels.
Three touchdowns to Kittle are unacceptable.
Dak and the offense made appearances but not enough
We can get one thing out of the way – Dak didn’t turn the ball over (in the first half).
He made up for it in a big way in the second half, though.
Whether or not he disregarded Tashaun Gipson playing deep is one thing, but the ball was severely thrown to the inside on that first interception.
I’m not going to pile on with the other two. We all saw them.
Dak Prescott’s stats tonight…
• 14 for 24
• 153 pass yards
• 1 TD – 3 INTs
• 51.6 passer rating pic.twitter.com/Tf6ldDyiH0— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) October 9, 2023
There was so much more to dissect. The running game could have been better. Dallas had all five of their linemen in place, but the 49ers defensive line continued to make Dak uncomfortable.
The “Texas” coast offense seemed to produce more of the same for the Dallas Cowboys.
Outside one well-designed explosive play in the red zone to KaVontae Turpin, it was an uphill climb thru the remainder of the game.
Mike McCarthy and Brian Schottenheimer have to explain how they have yet to figure out how to scheme CeeDee Lamb (4 receptions for 49 yards) open.
The injuries started to make me worry more than anything
This game got out of hand in the second half.
More importantly, injuries started to pile up. First, Dallas lost Turpin to hopefully only a sprained ankle. Even before then, Tyler Biadasz was rolled up on but was able to return.
Jourdan Lewis looked to favor his foot but was able to get up and put weight on it.
DaRon Bland also walked off the field with an undisclosed issue.
Leighton Vander Esch was helped off the field with a potential neck injury.
Lastly, Donovan Wilson was nixed up.
Dallas needs the clock to strike zero. It wasn’t their night. They learned a lot about themselves, and it could have been better.
The Cowboys find themselves on the losing end of a 42-10 shellacking. It’s going to be a long week.
Same-o same-o Cowboys. Great at destroying below .500 teams and struggle mightily against the above .500 teams. If Dak would stop sucking up all the phucken money thinking he does it all by himself, they could possibly bring in better talent for that front line. Its a symbiotic relationship: Dak is only as good as that front line allows him to be.
Steve Preciado, the Cowboys can’t handle easy OR hard schedules. The Cowboys schedule was very, very hard in 2022. They were a better team last year. The Cowboys are REALLY bad in 2023.
Steve Preciado, what do you disagree with me on?
Joey Guyton On the contrary. Im saying you’re right.
Steve Preciado, the Cowboys will be 5-12 at best this year
No heart Dak
Dak and Fat Mike and Quinn and the lion king will have a bloody week
The Cowboys are the NFC’s Browns.
National Fraud League strikes again with rigged games! I’m no longer interested in their fake product
There is a certain amount of the public that is going to continue to do Dak’s public relations work no matter how he under-performs. But when you have a $160M contract you get a certain amount of public relations work that is built into your contract. Dak plays well against mediocre teams and that is a performance standard that doesn’t work when you get to a certain level of play!! You can take Dak’s stats and stack them to the world looks level but he simply does not play well in BIG games. We have ended up with a $160M over-paid very average quarterback whose performance in big games is marginal or inconsistent at best.
The front office at Dallas has become the poster child for over paying for under performance. Dak’s (4) year $160M Contract is a textbook example in a long list of salaries that will has not paid dividends in performance over the span of any one contract with any one player. Paying very very large salaries in the league does not nor has it ever had anything to do with having a successful season and we almost have (28) years of evidence to support that in Dallas.
Tommy SmythTime to cut our losses and get rid of Dak. Extending him would be stupid. We will pay the price for a few years and then get another Troy Aikmanq
Tommy Smyth I have said to anyone that will listen that, Dak has hit his ceiling, his is as good as he’s going to be. The Cowboys need to be brutally honest with themselves and their fan base. He will not lead Dallas to a Super Bowl victory. Period.
Tommy Smyth Kevin Davis read this, ya Dak fan gurl.
Tommy Smyth well said.
How embarrassing wish they would take them off TV
The teams they have beaten all suck! Reality check when they Philly too! We need big changes. Coach and QB.
Got spanked
Can we admit and say it out loud?
DAk is not the guy, he is woefully inadequate ! Be honest with yourself, he sucks! I can throw 5-6 yard completions but he absolutely sucks at hitting an open receiver for an obvious TD
He makes Horrible decisions , throwing into double /triple coverage.
Joseph Cronan he was just throwing it up for grabs on those long balls, threw that one out of bounds. He’s a great guy, but he’s a horrible quarterback in his 8th season! He needs to go.
Bye Dak.
Say it with me. Dak is a never was.
Denis Veremtchouk kinda like NO SHOW ROMO! Jerry sure knows how to pick em!
Brett Westerman Romos biggest problem was staying healthy. When Romo got a good team around him he broke his collar bone and it’s been the Dak show ever since. I would gladly take Romo over Dak any day.
Frauds …
Clearly one team was more dominant. The “Beta Boys” still need work
Now the cowboys really know what it’s like to get embarrassed they just can’t beat good teams. Not looking forward to them playing the eagles.
Till consistency… this team will never win another SB let along go deep in any playoff.. leave it there…
At some point you do have to decide on Dak forward or invest in the young …or other.. just saying Purdy IA State..
They got beat. They will meet again.
Jesse Andrews 9ers own Prescott – they are in his head. He knows he can’t beat them and he is right.
Bryan HanebrinkBryan HanebrinkBryan Hanebrink please. Any team can be beat
The way the Eagles are playing, it is not guaranteed that they will meet again this year.
Jesse Andrews when??
Chris Anspach playoffs
Bryan Hanebrink sheagles are beatable
Jesse Andrews maybe, division games are always tricky but at 5-0 they are finding ways to win despite looking a little rusty. Dallas is falling behind pretty quick.
Bryan HanebrinkBryan HanebrinkBryan Hanebrink still have to play twice
Jesse Andrews their lucky if they even make the playoffs
Chris AnspachChris AnspachChris Anspach they will. 12-5 at the worse
Jesse Andrews they got chargers, eagles, Seattle, Buffalo, dolphins, Detroit…don’t think they will be 12-5
They will beat chargers, Seattle, eagles at least once and depends on which Buffalo and dolphins teams show up
Bunch of fake fans
This team is very I mean very dam overrated and they see now hell the only reason we beat the jets was because Aaron Rodgers didn’t play that’s the only reason why sad I mean really fucking sad everyone talking about fire dak and McCarthy I agree I do and Jerry needs to fire his dam self to but it is wat it is I just take this team how they go now because we will never be Superbowl champions again never
Did not and cannot stop the run. DL gets mauled and LB play is weak, at best. O line got dominated, could not run the ball and saw enough dump passes from Dik that made me sick. He is immobile and does not read the field. D plays well against mediocre teams, hell, they couldn’t even stop Arizona. Let’s see what they have for the Chargers.
The Cowboys need a coach, a RB and QB.
They were embarrassed, not on the same level as Frisco Philly and k.c.
They beat up on lesser teams but can’t hang with real ones !!!
We lost but it b ok Prather get better
No comment, not worth it
Need to regroup
Taking sacks when he could easily throw it away. 3 interceptions. If that isn’t points shaving I dont know what is.
Dak can’t beat good teams He is a good backup QB Time to move on with out him
Glen Westpy, he’s beaten at least five good teams last year despite the INTs, but apparently 2023 will not be as good as 2022.
We had to quit watching before halftime
Thank god we did
Dakk an the 49ers Beat Down the Dallas COWBOYS What a Shame__Dakk Gotta Go_Hit the Road Dakk_An Please doint Come Back!!
This is the reason why they shouldn’t call themselves America’s team! Probably be best not to say it again! Plus their fan’s or wanting high expectations from them. This is the reason why I always say, Cowboy’s need a new owner!
Billie Rodger We will always be America’s Team. Stop being another jealous hater. Why are u on our page anyway. Go away!
Jonathan Murphy it’s called FREEDOM OF SPEECH!
There was no surprise here. Everyone knew that if the overhyped Defense couldn’t score points or at least keep it close then Dak would implode. Which he did on cue and then has the nerve to smile about it. Time to move.on from this con man, he just isn’t anywhere close to good enough. And the 9ers OWN Prescott now, they are in his head and he knows he isn’t good enough to beat them.
Kevin Gosselin well maybe not the worst but definitely not good!
Two attempts to injure McCaffery, two weeks in a row. Just where is the N F L. If you can’t beat them, injure them! Oh, pardon me, it’s the “culture”
Clearly Dak Prescott is not the answer he has proven it over and over again it’s one thing to beat the bad teams it’s another thing to go out and beat the good teams which he can’t do now first of all you traded amari Cooper than you went out and James Washington who you cut now you went and got Brandon cooks who you don’t throw to so what was the point then we have Jerry Jones that has proved that he can’t put a Superbowl team on the field talk about a ego and what can we say about Mike mcarthy
The Cowboys have a lot of weakness. No running game that’s above average and too small on average. Pollard cannot stand up for a whole game. Prescott will never be able to take this team to the SB. The real problem is front office and ego standing in the way of progress. I mean the 90s were the last heydays for the Cowboys. I believe that’s when Jones purchased the team. Us Cowboy fans have been watching a franchise step on foot forward and 2 back for 25 plus years now. Disheartening.
Yea they should be, both sides played like shit, just proving they need better coach, and a qb the doesn’t fall apart every other game
They got beat by the Cardinals too.
He has to learn how to throw the ball away,,,at least,,besides interceptions,,to many sacks
Cowboys are lewzers and the fans are brainwashed
Let’s not
Bryan Hanebrink Absolutely. We’ve given them how many years now?
As I’ve said many many times, the Cowboys will never get to the SB with Dak. Just compare him to Purdy. The difference is enormance!!!
Bryan Hanebrink look another person that didn’t like NOMO either! Thought i was on an island.
The head coach let’s Dak throw 3yd passes because he knows Dak can’t read defenses. Offensive schemes are centered around the quarterback abilities. He knows Dak is not a down hill passer.
Losers
Get rid of number 4
Kevin Gosselin even Danny white was a much better quarterback than Dak
Brett Westerman Romo was supremely frustrating to watch but I would take him over Prescott in a New York minute.