The Main Reasons the Dallas Cowboys Are Going Home
Final score: San Francisco 23 Dallas 17. The Dallas Cowboys season is done in round 1 of the 2021-22 NFL Playoffs. It was a sloppy game to start, but in typical Cowboys fashion, we were glued to the game until the final (controversial) play. We can talk endlessly about how dumb it is to run […]
Final score: San Francisco 23 Dallas 17. The Dallas Cowboys season is done in round 1 of the 2021-22 NFL Playoffs.
It was a sloppy game to start, but in typical Cowboys fashion, we were glued to the game until the final (controversial) play.
We can talk endlessly about how dumb it is to run a quarterback sneak with no timeouts left, or how the same ref affected another play like the one above, earlier in the game.
Instead, we have to acknowledge the reality that even though the Cowboys were never out of the game, they didn't do enough to take it away. Only so many chances can be given.
There isn't just 1 reason why the Dallas Cowboys are going home. There are several, and no one's really too shocked by it.
Penalties.
Despite controversial calls, no calls or otherwise, the Dallas Cowboys have been plagued by penalties and penalty yards. Tonight is more of the same.
The Cowboys had 14 penalties for 89 yards, 2 of which wiped out 1st down plays. Conversely, the 49ers had 9 penalties of their own for 58 yards, meaning realistically, it was a mostly-evenly called game.
Even worse is that the penalties called were justified, and hurt the Cowboys at times when they were ready to continue drives. Whether it was a big CeeDee lamb catch, or a 3rd down stop. They kept shooting themselves in the foot, as they did in the regular season.
The Cowboys Run Defense
What has been talked about non-stop with the 49ers offense leading into gameday? Their rushing attack. The Cowboys know how dangerous it is, and fell victim.
The combination of Elijah Mitchell and Deebo Samuel lead the was for the 49ers with 37 carries for 168 yards (4.54 yards per carry) and the teams lone touchdowns.
San Francisco's offense is predicated on controlling the clock and the line of scrimmage. For the majority of this game, the run game did everything it wanted to.
Play Calling
Crazy how things have changed. To start the season, Kellen Moore looked like the next, young offensive genius. His play calls had been innovative and indicative of where the league is heading.
Today looked more of what the offense has looked like in more recent weeks. Giving the ball to Ezekiel Elliott on inside draws, screen passes and safe play calls. Very Jason Garrett-like. Worse when you consider he played more then Tony Pollard when he shouldn't have.
Makes you wonder why Tony Pollard hasn't been used more. What's a bigger wonder was the final play.
The QB draw on the last play is an odd one, considering there was only 14 seconds and the defense gave up 3 straight 10+ yard passes. Even worse, there were no more timeouts. The chaos of it really looked more of what the play calling has been; safe and boring.
Postseason's are for emptying the clip, not shooting blanks.
Not Capitalizing On Given Opportunities
The 49ers lost Nick Bosa for the game. That, alone, is enough of an advantage, but they just kept coming.
Fred Warner was hurt and slowed down by an ankle injury, and the Dallas Cowboys offense scored 10 points in 3 minutes and 51 seconds following the Anthony Brown interception.
After the touchdown, there was 8:02 left in the game. All the defense has to do is stop the offense and get the ball back. Instead, what followed was a 9-play drive, which ate up 5:20 of the clock, including 2 drive-continuing penalties.
Even though the offense has the ball 2 more times, that drive what ended it. The Cowboys were given opportunities until the final whistle, and left some on the table.
Cowboys on 3rd Down(s)
In truth, the Dallas Cowboys played decently on 3rd down defense. Allowing only 46.2% of 3rd downs is usually good enough to win.
But it's not when the offense is only converting 35.7% of theirs. The Cowboys offense ranks 11th in offensive 3rd down efficiency, but the 49ers defense made enough stops to make a difference.
What's worse is that many times the Cowboys defense actually played well on 3rd downs. However, as we already mentioned, penalties were a killer. The defense committed 3 penalties resulting in automatic 1st downs on 3rd down.
The fact the the Dallas Cowboys defense has the 2nd best 3rd down defense, and came up short like they did, is disappointing. Even worse, it's uncharacteristic.
