The 49ers came out last night with the intention of being physical. The wanted to rough up the Cowboys, especially with their offensive line that repeatedly hit Cowboys tacklers while they were dragging ball carriers down. They were ready to show Dallas, and the world, they were the better team. Mike McCarthy’s Carpe whatever turned to horse poo on the first drive. The Cowboys did not match that intensity. For a game they claimed was a test for them, they sure did come out unprepared for the test. They didn;t look like they wanted it as much as SF did.
I attribute most of this loss to horrible game planning on both sides of the ball. The offense had to get the ball down the field and they didn’t Blame Dak, the receivers, the OL for not protecting Dak, whatever. The fact is the short passing games plays right into the strength of the 49ers defense. They control the first 10 yards and the sidelines. Dallas kept throwing the ball short over the middle, and running outside gaining nothing. Sometimes you have to adjust your game plan for the team in front of you. McCarthy didn’t seem to do that. Blame Dak, but when they ran Dowdle up the middle he got 4 or 5 yards. When they tried to go outside they got stuffed for losses. I think Dallas misses Noah Brown’s blocking in the running game. But overall, the Cowboys were outcoached and it wasn’t close.
On defense, Quinn had a plan but it seemed to be the wrong one. SF likes to run behind Trent Williams, so Quinn thought it was a good idea to line up Parsons over Trent Williams. Then they ran right at Parsons who had to fight off multiple blockers on almost every play. Parsons is better in pursuit than taking on 330 lb linemen in his face. The one thing that could be exploited on the SF offense was the right side of their OL, and Dallas chose not to.
The Cowboys defense lives on pass pressure. They have to get pressure or their secondary gives up big plays, like they did repeatedly last night. Quinn never dialed up pressure on the young QB. When Dallas gets pressure things happen for the defense. But at the same time, give the 49ers credit. They do an excellent job protecting Purdy. And when he isn’t rattled, Purdy throws accurate passes.
How do the Cowboys let Kittle get loose 3 times in one game? This was just bad play by Dallas. I have to say, their safeties are a disappointment this year. There seems to be too much confusion among them.
I am worried this grass thing is a real issue. I know both teams play on the same surface, but the home team is used to it. The visitors are not. The Cowboys looked awful against the Cardinals and now the 49ers, both games played on grass. I don’t know what it is but it is hard not to take note. I would like to see these same two teams face off on turf.
I don’t think the 49ers are as good as they looked last night, and I don’t think the Cowboys were as bad as they looked. It was just one of those games. But last year the Cowboys were a resilient team that never game up. Last night they were a beaten team. They gave up. That is something that I did not want to see. It is something that can infect a team like a virus and hurt them all season.
This game can have two effects. They can bounce back and play a more physical game next week, or they can fold their tents. Last night was just an old fashioned beat down. The Cowboys were beaten on the scoreboard and physically. The injuries are a sign of that. Too bad the one guy who gave then a spark was Turpin and he got hurt for who knows how long.
