Another NFL season that ended in disappointment for dalas Cowboys after falling to the San Francisco 49ers, 19-12, in the split. After major losses, we always want to know who is to blame the most. You certainly can’t blame the Dallas defense, as they staged a heated Niners attack under 20 points. This game was for the Cowboys to take control, but it led to Dak Prescott and Offense inability to pass in the clutch.
This game was tight all the way, but Dallas ended up bumping headfirst into the ceiling they kept bumping into. The Cowboys once again failed to live up to the hype, whether it was the midfielders’ fault, the coaching staff or the owners’ fault. There was a lot of excitement last week after Dallas destroyed a team of Tampa Bay barely standing in the wild card round. Sunday before the Niners, the Cowboys attack looked like a completely different team.
Hits and mostly misses
Losing to Tony Pollard in the second half to a broken fibula certainly hampered Dallas in the second half, making them much more predictable. Without Pollard in defence, the Cowboys are missing a big player who brings a burst of attack that Ezekiel Elliot has been unable to provide for years. In the days leading up to this knockout, a sports radio personality on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas wish for an injury that occurred to Christian McCaffrey. He probably won’t do it in the future.
After Pollard was eliminated for the rest of the game, the 49ers and the others learned that it was all shouldered by one Rayne Dakota Prescott. Even when there are plays for Dak, he can’t consistently hit the target. Dallas is the No. 4 scorer in the regular season with an average of 27.5 points per game. They scored six points in each round against San Francisco. The Niners have given up 16ppg this year, and Prescott and offense just can’t get there. However, for some reason, many people continue to believe the hype about Dallas every year. Prescott is good, not great, and he’s far from the NFL’s elite. It’s time to face that fact.
San Francisco’s attack also didn’t have much to write home about, but that was because Dallas’ defense was tight but received little from the other side of the ball. Talking about not helping; This Cowboys defense, led by Micah Parsons, dropped just 19 points against a Niners foul averaging 30 ppg in this 11-game winning streak. Dallas dominated Christian McCaffrey for most of the game, keeping him 57 yards out, even though he scored one goal.
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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” to Prescott in his press conference following Dak’s massive contract extension a few years ago. Jones downplayed his words and turned it into a half-hearted compliment, but with each post-deal playoff defeat, those words really pop into his mind. And once Jones learns that Prescott is the first Cowboys QB to make multiple interceptions in a knockout since 1998’s Troy Aikman, he’ll likely lose his lunch. But at least Dak is in good company. Tony Romo can’t even say that.
Another great example of the art of imitating life. We pay too much attention to what is flashy but has no substance, like Cowboys for almost 30 yearsand ignore a team like Cincinnati Bengali, who will play in their second consecutive AFC championship match. Joe Burrow was even overshadowed by Josh Allen, with whom he fared better in their group stage match on Sunday. We consistently hear more about Dallas in one day than about Cincy in two weeks. Burrow has accomplished more in three years in the NFL than Prescott in seven. Two AFC title games and a Super Bowl appearance for Burrow. Prescott has none of the above.
It’s been a long time since Cowboys fans realized this is who they are. All this team does is tease and make you think they’re finally ready for the Super Bowl. In the same way that fans are faced with the truth about Romo and his ability to win big games, it’s time to face that reality with Dak. It is not likely to happen any time soon.
Now the Cowboys enter another season wonder what happened. Aside from being stuck with Prescott, Mike McCarthy is likely well overdue. Sean Payton didn’t walk into that dressing room. A head coach swap might be the best way to improve this team over that mental hurdle. But, knowing Jones, that probably won’t happen after 12 straight winning seasons. Dallas is stuck in a puddle with no way out.
