Cowboys Fall Short: Key Takeaways from Week 8 Loss to 49ers

A New Kind of Breakdown

Cowboys fans have grown accustomed to first-half blowouts this season, but this time it was the third quarter that spelled trouble — Dallas surrendered 21 points in the frame, turning the game on its head and pushing Big D into comeback mode yet again.

49ers Have Owned the Cowboys

With Sunday's loss, the Cowboys have now dropped five straight meetings against San Francisco, including the postseason. 

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Dak Prescott Fails to Deliver

Despite nearly leading America's Team to a comeback win, quarterback Dak Prescott's performance still left much to be desired. The league's highest-paid player tossed multiple interceptions for the fourth time this year, bringing his season total to eight (he had nine INTs all of last season). Late in the fourth quarter, with a chance to take the lead, he threw four straight incompletions on what turned out to be Dallas's final drive. At $60 million a season, expectations are understandably higher for the man under center.

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Running Game Remains Lifeless

Starting running back Rico Dowdle was inactive after falling ill upon arrival to Levi's Stadium, leaving grizzled veterans Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook to lead the rushing "attack." The duo predictably struggled, combining for 46 yards on 16 carries (2.9 YPC). Currently averaging a league-worst 74.0 rushing yards per game, Dallas's backfield feels like a lost cause.

A New Kind of Breakdown

Cowboys fans have grown accustomed to first-half blowouts this season, but this time it was the third quarter that spelled trouble — Dallas surrendered 21 points in the frame, turning the game on its head and pushing Big D into comeback mode yet again.