The San Francisco 49ers were crushed 40-10 by the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7, here we look at three takeaways from their worst performance of the season.
The San Francisco 49ers have been hoping to turn one of their many close losses into wins, but those aspirations never looked like coming to fruition on Sunday as they were blown out 40-10 by the Dallas Cowboys.
Kyle Shanahan’s team dug themselves into a 20-3 hole with penalties and mistakes in the first half, and the Cowboys poured it on in the second as they gave the Niners a reality check.
Here we look at three takeaways from a disheartening loss.
3. 49ers lost battle on both sides of trenches
Though they got some stops early, San Francisco proved unable to slow down Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys’ ground game, with Arik Armstead’s absence from the defensive line proving telling for a defense that had done a decent job against the run.
Elliott had 147 yards and two rushing touchdowns and also had a 72-yard reception for a touchdown as the Niners struggled to generate anything resembling consistent pass rush, with DeForest Buckner and Solomon Thomas kept quiet as new additions Tony McDaniel and Leger Douzable struggled.
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The offensive line endured a similarly disappointing afternoon. Though Carlos Hyde was able to enjoy success running the ball, the pass protection disintegrated as C.J. Beathard was sacked five times — losing two fumbles — in his first start. If San Francisco is to have hope of winning some games down the stretch, then better play on both lines is a must.
2. Rashard Robinson needs to cut out penalties
Starting cornerback Rashard Robinson had played well in the previous three games, but Week 7 saw a return to the performance he produced in the Week 3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, conceding yardage with key penalties.
Robinson was called for pass interference and illegal contact on the same drive, as penalties and mistakes gave Dallas second chances after third-down stops and allowed them to build a healthy half-time lead. Physical with the ability to recover when beaten by receivers and long arms to make plays on the ball, Robinson has the skill set to be a top corner in this league.
However, his tendency to concede penalties threatens to undermine his potential and is something that needs to be corrected sooner rathern than later.
1. Beathard shows improvements from Week 6
Beathard’s numbers were far from specatacular in his first NFL start, the third-round pick completing 22 of his 38 passes for 235 yards while running one in for a touchdown, but he did show signs of improvement.
A number of throws against the Washington Redskins appeared to die in the air, but versus the Cowboys the ball was delivered with sufficient velocity. Beathard could do little about the lack of protection he received, however, he does need to work on his tendency to hold on to the ball too long.
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If Beathard can develop a better internal clock, then his chances of success in this league will be much improved. Thankfully for the Niners, he has already displayed the ability to make improvements from week to week.