The Cowboys simply allowed 19 factors to the 49ers and misplaced. If we have been all advised the 49ers have been slotted for that determine pre-game, confidence can be fairly excessive. Nevertheless, the Cowboys offense simply performed considered one of their worst video games of the season. It’s actually a brutal solution to finish the season, particularly for a way the sport felt by way of the primary three quarters. That they had alternatives, that they had the lead, and so they squandered them.
To begin, Dak Prescott. Oh, Dak Prescott. In what was equal to the most important recreation of his profession, he had his worst playoff efficiency to this point. He had 23 completions for 206 yards and two turnovers, which have been each downright inexcusable. And it wasn’t simply the interceptions, he missed open receivers and made poor reads. He was unable to make the throws he made final week. That efficiency in opposition to the Buccaneers looks as if an outlier.
The 2-play sequence to finish the primary half with Tony Pollard getting injured and Prescott throwing an interception was precisely what you possibly can’t do in opposition to high-quality groups. Good groups capitalize, the Cowboys didn’t.
As soon as Pollard was injured, there was no room working the ball, with Ezekiel Elliott averaging 2.6 yards per stick with it 10 rushes. The go safety and CeeDee Lamb have been the 2 lonesome stars of the offense. Lamb caught 10 balls for 117 yards in a heroic effort. He had precisely ten extra catches than Michael Gallup, who battled by way of a misplaced season to some extent.
The offense is responsible, although, and far of that goes again to Prescott. Mike McCarthy made some questionable calls within the second half, however the ship of blaming the top coach has sailed. This was on poor offensive execution, plain and easy. Seven penalties additionally didn’t assist, however once more, this offense is responsible.
The Cowboys protection did every part they may to carry the group within the recreation. They held Christian McCaffrey to three.5 yards per carry and sacked Brock Purdy twice. Talking of Purdy, he accomplished 19 passes on 29 tries. Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk caught a mixed six balls. Actually was a masterclass efficiency from the Cowboys protection.
General, the “organizational customary” that this group was as soon as held to must be lowered as a result of they haven’t been in a position to recover from the hump, and even near it, in 28 years. It’s upsetting, it’s aggravating, and it’s gut-wrenching. The worst half: did you count on something totally different? That is who they’re. That is the Dallas Cowboys.
