Sunday night, the Dallas Cowboys faced a tough test against the San Francisco 49ers and walked away with a disappointing 30-24 loss. Despite brief sparks of life, the game showcased troubling flaws in the Cowboys’ performance, leaving fans questioning the team’s structure and readiness as they enter the season’s mid-stretch.
From the start, things were shaky for Dallas. Head coach Mike McCarthy opted to take the ball first, clearly hoping for an early lead. However, the opening drive stalled after just five plays, and a strange third-down handoff to Hunter Luepke highlighted the team’s inconsistent decision-making. Shortly after, the 49ers quickly scored with a 50-yard field goal, extending the Cowboys’ troubling pattern of allowing points on opponents’ opening drives.
Bosa gets the pressure. Brown gets the pick. @49ers ball!
📺: #DALvsSF on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/krcyeDf5RB— NFL (@NFL) October 28, 2024
As the game progressed, the Cowboys showed signs of resilience. In the second quarter, they managed to construct a solid drive that ended with Ezekiel Elliott finding the end zone, briefly giving Dallas the lead. However, the momentum was short-lived. The 49ers regained control with a series of fast, strategic plays, capped by George Kittle’s touchdown, which saw Dallas’s defense scrambling to keep up. A rough kickoff mishap by Brandon Aubrey set San Francisco up with prime field position, leading to another touchdown that stretched their lead over Dallas.
ZEKE TD
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/xn2ucCkBLy
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) October 28, 2024
The Cowboys’ second-half struggles only added to the night’s frustrations. Early in the third quarter, Dak Prescott threw an interception, setting up yet another San Francisco touchdown. It was a costly mistake in a game that Dallas couldn’t afford to slip up on. Though the Cowboys fought back with a late touchdown to CeeDee Lamb, the drive seemed more like a face-saving move than a real comeback attempt.
Mr. #NationalTightEndsDay with a big play 👏pic.twitter.com/JXjuvn7mjN
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) October 28, 2024
To compound matters, the week leading up to the game saw the Cowboys dealing with off-field distractions, including owner Jerry Jones clashing with the media and critiques of the team’s effort. These distractions seemed to carry into the game as Dallas appeared unprepared, missing key plays, and ultimately looked overwhelmed by the 49ers’ precision and strength.
In the end, the Cowboys’ flaws were exposed, from questionable play-calling and turnovers to lapses in defensive coverage. With a record that now feels fragile, Dallas faces the daunting task of regrouping and addressing core issues if they hope to remain contenders this season. Sunday night was a clear reminder that, at least for now, they’re not on the level of elite teams like the 49ers.
Dak ➡️ CeeDee
📺: #DALvsSF on NBC
📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/LvklCbZgQM pic.twitter.com/bETdwhjAjW— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) October 28, 2024
