The Dallas Cowboys entered Sunday Night Football with questions surrounding how the team, especially the defense, would measure against a prolific, physical San Francisco 49ers offense. The Cowboys failed the test with flying colors. San Francisco ran over the Cowboys’ defense, and QB Brock Purdy sliced and diced an underwhelming secondary.
There will be more questions than answers following Sunday night’s beatdown. The Cowboys defense looked amazing against the New York Giants, New York Jets, and New England Patriots. Overwhelming Daniel Jones, Zach Wilson, and Mac Jones isn’t the same task as limiting the 49ers’ offense with playmakers everywhere on the field.
The 49ers are unique, given the ways they can beat a defense. The running of RB Christian McCaffrey gives defense fits, as he can attack inside or outside. His pass-catching utility is the trump card, a mismatch for defenses to stop. Deebo Samuel is a versatile Swiss Army knife. Brandon Aiyuk has developed into one of the top downfield receivers in the game.
Don’t forget about TE George Kittle. Kittle scored three touchdowns on Sunday night as the passing game’s “X” factor. Kittle is a chess piece on offense — a dominant run blocker and a versatile pass catcher who can line up anywhere on the field.
The 49ers confound most teams. This game was a harsh dose of reality for a Cowboys team that thought they were prepared to compete in the NFC.
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What Do the Cowboys Do From Here?
Dallas should go back to the drawing board. Again, the 49ers are a unique challenge and look like the best team in the NFL. The 49ers are the measuring stick, and the Cowboys know that if they are to compete against San Francisco for the NFC title, then they must be significantly better on both sides of the ball.
The 49ers are obliterating the Cowboys in every single phase of the game. There is nothing Dallas has won tonight
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) October 9, 2023
The 49ers pushed the Cowboys’ offensive line around, pressuring QB Dak Prescott relentlessly. The Cowboys could not get the running game going as the 49ers’ defensive front kept Tony Pollard in check.
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The issues plaguing Prescott last season returned on Sunday night. He took care of the football in the first four games but fell apart in the second half, throwing three interceptions, which killed any chances the Cowboys had for a comeback. Prescott cannot commit turnovers, especially against the best teams in the league.
The Cowboys have work to do, and now they know what to do to compete in the NFC.
What Did Social Media Think About the Cowboys Defeat?
Stephen A. Smith said on @FirstTake last week that Dak Prescott was gonna throw at least 2 picks in this game and he did just that 😂😂😂 #DallasCowboys #49ers #NFL #SNF #DALvsSF #Niners pic.twitter.com/Y0jQ0zm0Hr
— D-Ludd (@IsThatBigD) October 9, 2023
Nobody in Dallas hid from the fact that this was a measuring stick game. Well, the Cowboys have come up short. Embarrassingly short.
The really demoralizing thing for them is that this was already a team that would be judged by what happened in January. With SF doing this to…
— David Helman (@davidhelman_) October 9, 2023
“Jerry , yeaaa it’s a rap” #DallasCowboys #nfl @1053thefan pic.twitter.com/RORslGduaT
— Loop2dope (@loop2dope) October 9, 2023
