Cowboys @ 49ers review: Niners run riot over conference rival

The San Francisco 49ers delivered a crushing defeat to the Dallas Cowboys, with a final score of 42-10. This game marked the third consecutive matchup where the 49ers emerged victorious over the Cowboys.

The 49ers dominated the game from the start, holding the Cowboys to a combined 8 yards on their first four drives, forcing three three-and-outs and a fumble. The 49ers’ roster overwhelmed the Cowboys in every facet of the game, demonstrating their superiority in the NFC.

George Kittle, the 49ers’ tight end, had an exceptional performance, scoring three touchdowns. Other notable plays included a 26-yard touchdown run by 49ers’ running back Jordan Mason, his first of the season, and a touchdown by fullback Kyle Juszczyk, which further extended the 49ers’ lead.

On the other hand, the Cowboys struggled throughout the game. They were out-prepared, out-played, and out-coached, leading to their defeat. The Cowboys’ offence sputtered, with two possessions resulting in two punts. Additionally, the Cowboys suffered a significant setback when Fred Warner of the 49ers forced a fumble from Tony Pollard, leading to the 49ers recovering the ball at the Dallas 16.

This loss puts the Cowboys at a 3-2 record, two games behind the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles. The 49ers, on the other hand, remain undefeated with a 5-0 record, making them one of the league’s only two unbeaten teams alongside the Eagles.

Here are some of the big takeaways from Sunday Night Football.

Dominance is San Fran’s game

49ers showcased their strength in every facet of the game, from offence to defence, overwhelming the Cowboys and solidifying their position as a top contender in the NFC. One stat that completely demonstrates their superiority is this; they outgained the Cowboys 422-197 and had a 25-8 edge in first downs.

They scored 30 points in eight straight regular season games, becoming just the fifth team in NFL history to do that. The QBs to do it: Kurt Warner, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Purdy.

But Prudy was one part of the unstoppable offence that San Francisco was operating, tight end George Kittle had an exceptional game as he led the team. Brandon Aiyuk, and Christian McCaffrey continued to make play after play and another notable play included a 26-yard touchdown run by 49ers’ running back Jordan Mason, his first of the season, and a touchdown by fullback Kyle Juszczyk, which further extended the 49ers’ lead.

The offensive line also had dominating moments too, as Trent Willams was a polarising figure in stopping Micah Parsons. Parsons was not his usual dominant self in this game. He finished the game with no sacks and just two quarterback pressures, according to NextGen Stats. This was the first time in nine games that he didn’t have at least five quarterback pressures, a streak that dated back to Week 15 of last season.

A key player in the 49ers’ strategy was Trent Williams, who consistently shutdown Parsons throughout the game. Williams did not allow a single pressure on any of his eight pass-blocking snaps against Parsons, according to Next Gen Stats. This was not a new phenomenon, as Parsons had registered just two pressures on 26 pass-rushing snaps in his career when matched up with Williams.

This is a significant drop from the 20 percent pressure rate that Parsons has recorded during his NFL career. A significant part of the 49ers’ strategy to stop Parsons was their ‘well-balanced plan’ which involved a mix of offensive tactics to keep Parsons from teetering off.

49ers’ coach Kyle Shanahan emphasised the need to protect the ball and maintain balance in their offensive plays to prevent Persons from getting into his rhythm. Quarterback Brock Purdy also noted the extra level of attentiveness required when facing a player with Parsons’ abilities.

The best in the NFC?

The 49ers are unquestionably legitimate, as evidenced by their dominant win over a team that was touted as one of the NFC’s preseason favourites. 

This game was meant to be a test for them, yet they won so they won comfortably in a fashion that none would have expected.

With only one other undefeated team in the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles, the 49ers have showcased dominance on both sides of the ball in each of their five outings, a feat their newfound rivals can’t claim. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to identify which team can halt the 49ers, given their well-rounded prowess in all facets of the game.

From offence to defence they have depth and the talent to win the NFC, but the more they win. The more the season looks to be Super Bowl or bust

49ers continue to be the Cowboys’ ‘boogey-team’

The last time the Cowboys won against the 49ers was in 2020 during the pandemic season, and the last time they won at Levi Stadium was 2017. Since 2020, the 49ers have just become somewhat of a ‘bogey team’ for them. Three straight losses which include consecutive playoff losses.

The Cowboys came into the game with all the confidence that they could finally win on the road and get a win for defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as they had the defence playing well (excluding the game against the Arizona Cardinals) and Dak Prescott was playing great as well, being the main force in getting the wins for the Cowboys. However the Cowboys were out-prepared, out-played, and out-coached, resulting in everything that happened on both sides of the ball going wrong for them.

The game was a significant test for the Cowboys, which they unfortunately failed. The 49ers’ victory further solidifies their position as a dominant force in the NFC, whilst the Cowboys will have many questions to ask themselves and it will be interesting to see how both teams perform in their upcoming games with tough schedules ahead for both teams as they will have to face the Eagles later on.

Struggles on both sides of the ball for Dallas

The Cowboys’ offence was largely ineffective against the 49ers’ defence. They managed only 197 total yards, compared to the 49ers’ 421 yards[3]. The Cowboys’ passing game, led by quarterback Dak Prescott, was particularly problematic. Prescott threw three interceptions, contributing to the team’s four total turnovers.

This was a stark contrast to the 49ers’ offence, which did not throw any interceptions. The Cowboys’ run game was also limited, with the team managing only 57 rushing yards compared to the 49ers’ 170 yards.

Dallas really struggled against the 49ers’ rush, with Christian McCaffrey’s speed proving to be a significant challenge. Red zone efficiency was another area of concern for the Cowboys. They did not manage to reach the red zone at all during the game. This lack of efficiency in the red zone has been a recurring issue for the Cowboys, and it was particularly evident in this game.

On the defensive side, the Cowboys were unable to contain the 49ers’ offence. The 49ers managed to rack up 212 yards in the first half alone, demonstrating the Cowboys’ defence’s inability to stop their offensive drives. The 49ers also had 41 rushing attempts for 170 yards and two touchdowns, further highlighting the Cowboys’ defensive struggles.

The Cowboys’ defence was unable to match the speed and physicality of the 49ers’ defence. The 49ers were in more passing lanes and made better reads on the quarterback, which contributed to the Cowboys’ offensive struggles.

What’s up next?

Both teams will travel for their next games as they both will play teams coming back from their bye weeks. The Cowboys will be playing against the Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) on “Monday Night Football” next week at SoFi Stadium, while the 49ers will be facing the Cleveland Browns (2-2) at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday.