Grades for 49ers' offense, defense in bad loss to Cowboys
The 49ers got off to a slow start, showed some reason for optimism and endured a few big injuries along the way.Are we talking about the 2020 season? Sure.But, specifically, that’s the way it went in Week 15 in the 49ers’ 41-33 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas.The 49ers committed four turnovers, which led to 24 points for the Cowboys.And, really, that is all you need to know about this game – and this season.Here’s the 49ers’ report card from their loss to the Cowboys, which sent Kyle Shanahan’s team to 5-9 with its third consecutive defeat.
It was the 49ers’ strength against Dallas’ weakness. And the 49ers did not full take advantage of what should have been a mismatch. Of course, it did not help that Raheem Mostert sustained an aggravation of his left ankle injury and left the game in the third quarter. He had 68 yards on 14 carries.
The 49ers should have been capable of so much more against the worst run defense in the league. Jeff Wilson Jr. battled some physical issues of his own to gain 60 yards and a TD on 16 attempts.
Grade: D
Quarterback Nick Mullens lost a fumble – a play Shanahan credited Cowboys edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence for making a great play – and threw two fourth-quarter interceptions. Those giveaways were big plays that led to the 49ers loss. Mullens completed 21 of 36 passes for 219 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
C.J. Beathard entered late in the fourth quarter after Mullens left the game when he lost sensation in his throwing arm. Beathard completed five of seven attempts for 100 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown to Kendrick Bourne on the final play of the game. Brandon Aiyuk continued his hot streak with nine catches for 73 yards.
Grade: F
Cowboys running back Tony Pollard gained 69 yards (5.8 yard average) and two touchdowns on 12 rushing attempts. The 49ers’ run defense should have done a better job on first and second downs against Dallas, which made star running back Ezekiel Elliott (calf) among their inactive players for Sunday’s game.
Grade: C-minus
The pass defense was OK through most of the game. But they were unable to keep up with the Cowboys in the giveaway-takeaway column. Dallas quarterback Andy Dalton completed 19 of 33 passes for 209 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Arik Armstead registered two sacks in the game. Ahkello Witherspoon played well in coverage with two passes defensed.
The defense was solid, but this was a game where they had to be more than just solid. This unit made no game-changing plays. Linebacker Fred Warner made that point afterward in stating that the 49ers’ defense was every bit to blame for this loss as the offense because it did not force any takeaways.
Grade: C-minus
This game turned almost immediately when return man Richie James fumbled in the first quarter. The Cowboys cashed it in for a touchdown. Robbie Gould made two field goals and three extra points. Punter Mitch Wishnowsky and the coverage unit had a respectable 40.0-yard net average on four punts.
Not that it really mattered, but CeeDee Lamb returned Gould’s onside kick attempt for a touchdown in the closing minute to close the door.
Grade: F
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh pieced it together well when the club found out cornerback Jason Verrett would not be available due to a non-COVID-19 illness. The 49ers’ game plans on both sides of the ball seemed sound, but the execution of some of the fill-in players was not good.
Obviously, we have to question Shanahan’s decision to stick with Mullens. But it’s also quite obvious that Shanahan, who knows his quarterbacks better than anyone, still believes the team’s chances of winning would drop with Beathard on the field instead of Mullens.
Grade: D-plus
It’s at the point where it is difficult to expect more from the 49ers this season. Sure, this is the same organization that went to the Super Bowl last season. But this is not the same team. We can all agree on that. They are playing with a lot of backups, including at quarterback.
Mostert and safety Jimmie Ward (concussion) left this game early with injuries. And those injuries had a clear impact on Sunday’s game. And the 49ers looked like a team playing with a bunch of backups. Still, four giveaways are four giveaways. And no takeaways are no takeaway.
Grade: D
