Cowboys fall to 3-4 after another ugly loss at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers

If the bye week allowed for a rejuvenation period for the Dallas Cowboys, it wasn’t necessarily shown at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday night — especially in the third quarter — as they suffered their fourth straight loss to the San Francisco 49ers, 30-24.

Without stars such as Micah Parsons and DaRon Bland for yet another week, the defense slowed down in the second half and saw George Kittle and the 49ers offense explode in the second half.

While a late valiant comeback attempt was put forth behind Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb finding their connection, it came up short in the final minutes.

Here are the takeaways from the loss that bumps the Cowboys back below .500 at 3-4 on the season.

Little bye week magic for offense

Last season, we saw the offense find its rhythm after the bye week as Prescott put together an 11-game stretch that made him an MVP runner-up and CeeDee Lamb etched the best season for a receiver in franchise history.

Well, the hope for the same post-bye magic happening in San Francisco slowly evaporated with continued staleness in the running game and forced action downfield in the passing game that led to two untimely interceptions from Prescott.

In the second half specifically, the Cowboys consistently faced multiple second- and third-and-longs that kept them from starting or sustaining offensive drives. Basic route concepts led to simplistic answers in coverage from the 49ers and a lack of success in getting points on the scoreboard for Dallas.

If there’s any confidence to take away, seeing Prescott connect with Lamb for 13 receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns was what the doctor ordered for getting their rhythm back in motion. But when there is absolutely no offense around them, what does it matter?

Turnovers are marginal differences

Mike McCarthy has preached the need for solid defense paving the way for solid offense, and vice-versa, throughout the season. The minus-six turnover margin coming in was highlighted throughout the week after McCarthy pointed to that being the biggest reason for the inability to find success on the scoreboard in 2024.

After a game that saw that season turnover margin decrease by two more notches to eighton Sunday night, those concerns are now at a deafening screech. Even with opportunities such as a Brock Purdy fumble and a dropped interception from Chauncey Golston, the Cowboys can’t find any extra possessions via takeaways this season. For an offense that needs a jolt at times to get going, the defense is only setting them further back with their inability to create opportunities.

As long as the overwhelming turnover trend continues, the Cowboys will continue to get run out of games.

Crossing patterns continue to plague Cowboys defense

Whether it was George Kittle or Deebo Samuel, the 49ers receiving weapons found open green grass across the middle of the field on multiple occasions on Sunday night, much like the rest of the Cowboys opponents this season.

The lack of a Cowboys pass rush (they did have two late sacks) allowed for routes to develop across the middle of the field where the Cowboys safeties have been inept in holding down their coverage responsibilities.

Holes are being exposed, and there isn’t a bigger hole in the pass defense than right between the hashes where Purdy found the big play to open the game up in the second half and rode it to a victory.

It’s time for Parsons and Bland to return

The expectation was that Parsons and Bland would be able to make it back after the bye week, but it didn’t happen Sunday night. Going into Atlanta next week, it’s time for those guys to get back in the mix.

The Cowboys need a sign of life in the pass rush and they need to find ways to create turnovers. Who better to put on the field than a perennial NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate and the league-leader in interceptions from 2023?

Bland will have to be activated onto the roster by Wednesday unless the Cowboys want to sit him for the rest of the season, so his status should have a bright outlook going into the week. On the other hand, Parsons will continue to have a questionable status going into week nine.

It’s now or never for Jerry Jones

If it wasn’t clear before, it certainly is now: This team is not built to succeed against the best the NFC has to offer. And if Jerry Jones wants a roster that can compete in January, moves and decisions will have to be made — sooner than later.

Or, Jones can be content with seeing his young core gain valuable experience in a season that will, at best, see the Cowboys fall at or below the line of mediocrity.

But what can realistically be added? The Cowboys need a receiver, a running back, a run stopper and a pass rusher. They need consistency, toughness and identity on both sides of the ball. If somehow the opportunity presents itself for Jones to find those players before the deadline, why wait? Unless he is content with riding the season out in mediocrity.