Dak Prescott threw two more interceptions, and the team failed to make a comeback. The defense allowed three consecutive touchdown drives in the third quarter. Additionally, a star player confronted a media member about a social media post just minutes after the game ended.
The bye week for the Dallas Cowboys did not resolve the many issues facing a team that won 12 games in each of the past three seasons but is now struggling for a playoff spot in 2024 after losing 30-24 to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night.
“I can definitely tell you nobody is shaking or giving up,” Prescott said. “Frustration is very high, but it’s a long season. A lot of the division games are still ahead of us. Frustrated. That’s the best way I can put it.”
The frustration for the Cowboys (3-4) became clear when cornerback Trevon Diggs left the locker room in full uniform just minutes after the game to confront a reporter who questioned his play in the second quarter based on a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
However, the biggest issues for the Cowboys were on the field once again.
The defense struggled to pressure Brock Purdy, especially with Micah Parsons out due to an ankle injury. The team allowed 223 rushing yards during the game, including several important scrambles from Purdy, and gave up 7.3 yards per play without forcing any turnovers.
Dallas has only five takeaways in seven games, a stark contrast to leading the NFL in that area for the past two seasons.
While the defense struggles to create turnovers, Prescott continues to give the ball away, becoming the first Cowboys quarterback in 32 years to throw multiple interceptions in three consecutive games.
“As coaches and players we can learn from this,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “We’re 3-4, that’s the facts of this deal. I’m disappointed. We obviously felt we were going to come in here and do what we needed to do to get the win, and we came up short.”
The second interception was especially damaging against San Francisco. It happened during Dallas’ first drive of the third quarter, just three plays after San Francisco had taken a 13-10 lead. The Niners quickly scored another touchdown.
“That one hurts,” Prescott said. “Starting off the third quarter that way allowed them to get a touchdown. Look at the end at the score, a touchdown’s the difference. Once again, we put ourselves behind in the turnover battle, and that’s on me. Can’t have that to try to win games. I’ve got to clean that up.”
San Francisco added a third touchdown drive in the third quarter before the Cowboys even got their first first down of the second half.
Prescott attempted to bring the team back by leading two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter, with touchdown passes to CeeDee Lamb, but fell just short. The Cowboys got the ball back at their own 25 with 3:05 left, needing a touchdown to take the lead.
Prescott threw four straight incomplete passes, with KaVontae Turpin unable to catch a deep throw on third down, and a fourth-down pass to Jalen Brooks also falling incomplete after Ji’Ayir Brown made contact just before the ball got there.
“That’s all I can ask for, all this team can ask for, is an opportunity, ball in our hands down six to win the game,” Prescott said. “On third down, I liked the matchup, took a shot. Didn’t convert it.
On fourth down, I got pressure early, had to get out of the pocket and had to put something up for hopes. I hoped that there was contact at the end, but it didn’t go that way, with two guys on one. They made the plays when they needed to, and we didn’t.”
