Dallas Cowboys: Studs and duds from wild win over 49ers

Stud: Donovan Wilson

Second-year safety Donovan Wilson has made huge strides this season and could be the strong safety of the future. He even made up for a huge mistake that seemed destined to put him on the dud list.

Early in the third, Wilson was called for a penalty as he lowered his head when hitting wide receiver Richie James. The hit gave the Niners an extra 15-yards and helped set up a game-tying field goal from Robbie Gould.

But then in the fourth, Wilson helped Dallas take the lead back. On 3rd-and-6, he picked off Nick Mullens, setting Dallas up at the San Francisco 28. Andy Dalton and the offense didn’t move the ball at all, but Greg Zuerlein was still able to knock in a field goal from 46-yards out to go up 27-24. Wilson then nearly picked another pass off on the following drive, showing he’s more than ready for prime time.

Dud: Terence Steele

Terence Steele continues to struggle for the Cowboys as the rookie right tackle has been a liability for them. That was the case again on Sunday as he struggled to hold off the 49ers defensive linemen.

One of his worst plays was when he gave up a sack to Arik Armstead when Dallas needed roughly 15 yards to go in order to try for a field goal. Dallas was nearly bailed out from Steele’s gaffe as they somehow converted the 3rd-and-18.

Andy Dalton took advantage of the 49ers jumping by throwing it deep for CeeDee Lamb, who hauled in a beautiful 22-yard reception. Unfortunately, the drive ended in a missed 60-yard field goal from Greg Zuerlein, and it might have been good had they been kicking from a little closer.