Another NFL season ends in disappointment for the Dallas Cowboys after falling to the San Francisco 49ers, 19-12, within the divisional spherical. Following large losses, we all the time wish to know who will get probably the most blame. You certainly can’t blame Dallas’ protection, as they held a sizzling Niners offense underneath 20 factors. This recreation was there for the Cowboys to take management, however it got here right down to Dak Prescott and the offense’s incapacity to return by means of within the clutch.
This recreation was tight all through, however Dallas in the end bumped their head in opposition to that ceiling they repeatedly hit. The Cowboys didn’t dwell as much as the hype as soon as once more, whether or not it’s the quarterback, teaching employees, or the proprietor’s fault. There was a lot pleasure final week after Dallas demolished a barely-standing Tampa Bay workforce within the wild card spherical. Sunday in opposition to the Niners, the Cowboys’ offense appeared like a very totally different workforce.
Hits and largely misses
Losing working again Tony Pollard within the second quarter to a fractured fibula definitely hampered Dallas for the second half, making them rather more predictable. Without Pollard within the backfield, the Cowboys lack that large playmaker who offers the offense that explosiveness that Ezekiel Elliot hasn’t been in a position to present in years. In the times main as much as this playoff recreation, a sports activities radio character on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas wished for an damage to befall Christian McCaffrey. He in all probability gained’t be doing that sooner or later.
Once Pollard was dominated out for the rest of the sport, the 49ers and everybody else knew it was all on the shoulders of 1 Rayne Dakota Prescott. Even when performs have been there for Dak, he couldn’t hit targets persistently. Dallas was the No. 4 scoring offense within the common season averaging 27.5 factors per recreation. They scored six factors in every half in opposition to San Francisco. The Niners gave up 16ppg this yr, and Prescott and the offense couldn’t get there. Yet, for some purpose, many proceed to purchase into the hype about Dallas yearly. Prescott is nice, not nice, and he’s removed from the elite of the NFL. It’s previous time to face that reality.
San Francisco’s offense wasn’t a lot to write down dwelling about both, however that’s as a result of Dallas’ protection performed its ass off however obtained little or no from the opposite facet of the ball. Talk about no assist in any respect; this Cowboys protection, led by Micah Parsons, solely gave up 19 factors to a Niners offense averaging 30 ppg throughout an 11-game profitable streak coming into this matchup. Dallas bottled up Christian McCaffrey for many of the recreation, holding him to 57 complete yards, though he scored a landing.
G/O Media might get a fee
Up to $100 credit
Samsung Reserve
Reserve the next gen Samsung device
All you need to do is sign up with your email and boom: credit for your preorder on a new Samsung device.
Help needed in Dallas
If you’re the Cowboys, your offense must find a way to win a game like this. Your $160 million-dollar QB has to do a better job converting on third down. The Cowboys were 5 of 15 on third down in the game, and too many were third and long situations. People got upset when Jerry Jones claimed he “overpaid” for Prescott within the press convention following Dak’s huge extension signing a few years in the past. Jones downplayed his phrases and remodeled that right into a halfhearted praise, however with each playoff failure following that deal, these phrases will certainly cross his thoughts. And as soon as Jones learns that Prescott is the primary Cowboys QB to throw a number of interceptions in a playoff recreation since Troy Aikman in 1998 he’ll in all probability lose his lunch. But not less than Dak’s in good firm. Tony Romo can’t even say that.
Another nice instance of artwork imitating life. We pay a lot consideration to what’s flashy but has no substance, just like the Cowboys for almost 30 years, and overlook a workforce just like the Cincinnati Bengals, who will play of their second straight AFC championship recreation. Joe Burrow is even overshadowed by Josh Allen, whom he outplayed of their divisional spherical recreation Sunday. We consistently hear extra about Dallas in a day than we do about Cincy in two weeks. Burrow has completed extra in three years within the NFL than Prescott has in seven. Two AFC title video games and a Super Bowl look for Burrow. Prescott has not one of the above.
It’s gone time that Cowboys followers notice that is who they’re. All this workforce does is tease and make you assume they’re lastly able to make a run to the Super Bowl. In the identical means followers needed to face information about Romo and his potential to win large video games, it’s time to face that actuality with Dak. It’s not more likely to occur anytime quickly.
Now the Cowboys head into one other offseason questioning what occurred. Aside from being caught with Prescott, Mike McCarthy has doubtless overstayed his welcome. Sean Payton ain’t strolling into that locker room. A head teaching swap could be one of the best ways to enhance this workforce previous that psychological roadblock. But, understanding Jones, that in all probability gained’t occur after back-to-back 12-win seasons. Dallas is caught within the mud with no obvious means out.