By Morris Phillips
Holding an early 14-0 lead, and facing a team without three, offensive stars, the 49ers figured to be in fine shape on Sunday at home against the Cowboys. But instead, just the opposite was true, as the Cowboys fought back before halftime, then seized control in the second half on their way to a 24-17 win over the 49ers.
Now 1-3 for the second, straight season, the 49ers have to win Thursday against Arizona or fall into an unenviable hole, and they’ll have to do it without emotional leader and defensive standout NaVorro Bowman.
Bowman suffered a lower leg injury during the second half without there being a physical event with another player. With an MRI scheduled for Monday, the team could be without Bowman for an extended period of time. Whether they have Bowman or not, the 49ers have to find a way not to get pushed around physically as the Cowboys did to them in the second half.
Or better handle adversity, which against the Cowboys started with a questionable roughing the passer penalty. That penalty on Jaquiski Tartt led to Dallas’ first touchdown three plays later. With rookie quarterback Dak Prescott corralled by two defenders, Tartt rushed in with a push to Prescott’s chest prompting a critical flag.
“We talk about it all the time, penalties that keep drives alive are things that hurt you,” Coach Chip Kelly said. “I didn’t see it. They said they blew a whistle. I didn’t hear a whistle on the field. I know no one on our side heard a whistle on the field. If they called it, it happened.”
More adversity would follow in the form of Bradley Pinion’s short punt, and a second, lengthy Cowboys drive that tied the game before halftime. Prescott hooked up with receiver Brice Butler on a 4-yard scoring play with 12 seconds remaining in the half to get the Cowboys even at 14.
The 49ers started the game on a roll, converting seven straight third down opportunities, a week after they failed in each of their first, ten such situations at Seattle. In the second half, quarterback Blaine Gabbert couldn’t replicate that early success, throwing short on two, critical third down plays, as well as a costly interception when speedster Torrey Smith broke free deep in the fourth quarter, and the 49ers needing a go-ahead score.
“I have to throw him to the middle of the field, I have to throw him to the hash and I just cut it a little too early and missed him wide,” Gabbert said when asked about the pivotal play.
The Cowboys played without Tony Romo, and All-Pros Dez Bryant and offensive tackle Tyron Smith. With those three out, everyone in the stadium from Kelly to the peanut vendor knew the 49ers had to stop the Cowboys’ run game then zero in on the inexperienced Prescott. But the Cowboys’ talented offensive line—even without Smith—won out, first in their speedy comeback, then late when the 49ers were without Bowman for the games’ final 20 minutes.
On the Cowboys first play after Bowman departed, rookie back Ezekiel Elliott enjoyed his second, longest run of the afternoon, a 23-yarder that went right at Bowman replacement, Nick Bellore. Elliott would finish with 138 yards rushing on 23 carries, including the Cowboys go-ahead score late in the third quarter.
“They got a Hall of Fame tight end, they got an outstanding running back, they have three other offensive lineman I think are really good so I wouldn’t shortchange them from a talent standpoint,” Kelly responded when asked about the 49ers inability to capitalize on the absence of Dallas’ key three players. “I know Dez didn’t play, but it wasn’t like if Dez is out, there’s no one else to go to.”
Gabbert finished 16 of 23 for 196 yards and a touchdown pass to Jeremy Kerley to open the scoring. But that 33-yard pass was Gabbert’s longest of the afternoon, and he failed to get the ball to Smith, who caught one pass for three yards and had no chance on the ball that was picked off by Dallas’ Morris Claiborne. Gabbert’s QB rating of 57 illustrated how limited the team’s attack was under his leadership, but Kelly insisted that his quarterback played well, and dismissed suggestions that Gabbert be replaced by Colin Kaepernick.
Prescott extended his rookie record of 131 passes without an interception, and finished 23 of 32 for 245 yards and two touchdowns. While the rookie never wavered when trailing by two scores, the 49ers were guilty of not putting an extra layer of pressure on Prescott with a third, first half score or by forcing a key turnover.
The 49ers will get a second opportunity to do just that on Thursday against the Cardinals, who will be without injured Carson Palmer, and led instead by backup quarterback Drew Stanton.
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