10 thoughts on the Cowboys 30-24 Sunday night loss to the 49ers

Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

Sunday was a tough one for the Dallas Cowboys and we have some thoughts on it all.

The San Francisco 49ers continue to be the kryptonite of the Dallas Cowboys as Sunday night’s contest featured more of the same. The Cowboys came up short, losing 30-24, and have now lost two straight and have a losing record. It was hard to watch and the results probably weren’t all that surprising. Here are ten thoughts on another Bay Area bummer of a game against the 49ers.

1. No offense

It’s beginning to sound like a broken record, but the Cowboys’ offense doesn’t have their wits about them. After again winning the coin toss and electing to receive, the offense started the game with a punt and an interception. They put together a nice 11-play drive that resulted in an Ezekiel Elliott touchdown, but as they’ve done many times before, there was very little to be happy about on offense early on.

2. Defense gave them chances

While the offense was spinning its wheels, the Cowboys’ defense surprisingly kept the 49ers in check early on. It wasn’t always pretty and in each of the five offensive possessions the 49ers had in the first half, they got first downs, but no drive went over seven plays, and no drive ended with a touchdown. The Cowboys defense held them to just six points in the first half.

3. Defense breaks in the second half

It was only a matter of time before the defense started giving way to Kyle Shanahan’s offense. San Francisco started the second half with the ball and it only took them a smidge over two minutes to score their first touchdown of the game. And the fun was just getting started for them as they tacked on two more touchdowns on their next two drives. They had no answer for the Niners tight end George Kittle as he finished with six catches for 128 yards and a touchdown. In one quarter, the Cowboys 10-6 lead turned to a 27-10 deficit.

4. Picked up flag on the OPI

The Cowboys were trying to stop the bleeding midway through the third quarter as the 49ers kept their foot on the pedal. It looked as if the defense might come away with a big stop after wide receiver Chris Conley was flagged (two flags were thrown) for offensive pass interference, negating a two-yard Kittle touchdown. Oddly, the officials got together and discussed things and determined it wasn’t a penalty after all. I guess many of us don’t understand what a pick is anymore because this one couldn’t be more obvious.

I have never seen a more obvious pick play. The only thing more ridiculous than the play was the official's explanation. Be better.pic.twitter.com/MBnhrcW5HI

— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) October 28, 2024

5. Offense was still a no-show in the second half

Things got out of hand for the Cowboys in the second half because the defense couldn’t make any stops, but it didn’t help that the offense continued to stink up the place. Each of the Cowboys' first three possessions in the second half only lasted three plays, with one being an interception deep in their own territory. The offense was just super bad with non-effective runs and poorly thrown passes. It was ugly.

6. Catatonic Dak

It’s hard to describe what we saw from the Cowboys All-Pro quarterback. Dak Prescott’s throws were off, his reads were not good, and the chemistry with his receiving targets was non-existent. But even more puzzling than the ineffective play was just the dazed look he had on his face. Prescott seemed disinterested in the game. It was as if he was emotionless and just wanted to get in and get out. That’s not the Dak we know. Prescott finished the game with a couple of drives that padded his numbers, but overall, it wasn’t good. He now has thrown multiple interceptions in three straight games.

7. Running game discrepancy is still a big problem

Of course, we can’t pin everything on Prescott. The Cowboys rushing attack only compiled 56 yards on 19 carries (2.9 ypc). The presence of Dalvin Cook didn’t change a thing for the team’s ground game as they’ve now had back-to-back games with under 60 yards rushing.

And as bad as the rushing offense was, the team’s run defense was equally ineffective. The 49ers ran the ball 36 times for 223 yards (6.2 ypc). Fourth-round rookie running back Isaac Guerendo ran for over six yards per carry. It’s so frustrating to watch this team struggle in the run game as both the Achilles heel of the offense and defense were on full display Sunday night.

8. Late-game surge

The Cowboys did make things a little exciting down the stretch. Thanks to two straight 70-yard drives, the Cowboys cut the 49ers lead to just six points at 30-24 with 3:32 left in the game. Both drives were capped off with CeeDee Lamb touchdowns as the Cowboys star receiver finished with an impressive 13 catches for 146 yards.

9. Defense gave them one last chance

In a game that we all thought was over and done with by the fourth quarter, the Cowboys fought themselves back into the game. Yes, the offense finally showed some life, but credit the defense for coming through with a huge three-and-out when they needed it the most. A nice sack by DeMarvion Overshown helped force the punt allowing the Cowboys one last chance to make a comeback.

10. Coming up short

No sooner was the life pumped back into our veins when the defense made the big stop, it was immediately sucked out when the Cowboys threw four straight incomplete passes that ended our hopes of witnessing a comeback. The offense went back to looking terrible except for one nice deep ball by Prescott that KaVontae Turpin couldn’t haul in. It was nice that they gave us a moment of hope, but in true Cowboys fashion, it was never meant to be.