The Dallas Cowboys have much more work to do after losing to the San Francisco 49ers, specifically on the offensive side of the ball. Head coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Dak Prescott will have their work cut out for them after one of the most humbling losses in both of their careers.
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Mike McCarthy’s Second-Largest Loss Deficit
One of the biggest questions coming out of the 42-10 loss is if McCarthy’s West Coast offense is effective.
This was the second-largest loss margin he has endured as a head coach. The first was in Green Bay in 2006 when the Packers lost to the Patriots 35-0.
McCarthy took accountability for the loss, admitting he was at fault for it playing out like it did.
After the game, he said, “It was clearly humbling. But it is one game. … Start with me. I didn’t do a good job tonight. It clearly just shows where we are as a team. We’re 3-2. … We got a lot of work to do.”
The offense was 4 of 11 on third-down conversions in 49 offensive plays. Additionally, the unit only scored one touchdown during the game, which happened late in the second quarter.
KaVontae Turpin shows off the wheels and gets in the end zone 💨 @KaVontaeTurpin
📺: #DALvsSF on NBC
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Dallas’ offense struggled to establish the run, totaling just 57 rushing yards in the game. Meanwhile, they finished with 161 passing yards on 16 completions.
When McCarthy was asked if this was a similar loss compared to their Week 3 defeat against the Cardinals, with the team not being able to find a rhythm, he said, “I don’t look at this game anything like the Arizona game. This game went down the field, we just didn’t put anything in the end zone.”
Even after weeks of talking about this being the time to prove themselves in the red zone, it didn’t happen. In fact, the Cowboys’ offense has more questions than answers going into Week 6 of the season. Now they must answer as to how they can get down the field and be more efficient on third down — two areas they were not struggling with before.
“It’s a punch in the gut. It’s a kick in the ass. … I’m not a burn-the-tape guy. I think that’s a crock of s***. … I didn’t see this coming,” said McCarthy.
So the question now is, what is the problem? Is it McCarthy’s West Coast offensive scheme, Prescott’s play, or both?
Dak Prescott’s Most Humbling Loss
Prescott had a 58.3 completion percentage and a 51.6 QB rating for the night before getting benched in the fourth quarter.
“This was maybe the most humbling game I’ve ever been a part of,” said Prescott after the game.
One of the biggest conversations that will be had during the week will be the three interceptions Dak had during the game, after having only two on the year coming in.
But is the blame on Prescott? This wasn’t his best showing, but the 49ers’ defense put pressure on him all night and shut down the run completely. Dak was forced to throw the ball in tight coverage nearly the entire game.
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Dallas had a chance to take revenge, but this quickly turned into a measuring stick game. And now, Prescott knows the work got even more difficult as the team prepares to turn the page.
“We damn sure didn’t come in here and get the confidence that we were trying to grab leaving this game. But you’ve got to turn the page,” said Prescott.