The Dallas Cowboys returned from their bye week eager to bounce back from a rough loss at home to Detroit. For much of Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers, they showed signs of doing just that.
However, a late comeback attempt in the fourth quarter fell short, ending in a 30-24 defeat, marking their fourth consecutive loss to San Francisco.
With a defense missing key players and an offense that only found its rhythm too late, the blame is shared.
While the primary responsibility arguably rests with the owner/general manager and head coach, several players need to be held accountable for underwhelming performances.
4 Cowboys Players Who Share Blame for the Loss
4. OT Terence Steele
Terence Steele has struggled this season. Facing one of the top pass rushers, Nick Bosa, he allowed one sack and three quarterback hits. His difficulties on the right side made Dak Prescott uncomfortable throughout the game.
The coaching staff should have adjusted to offer Steele support, but no such adjustments were made. Steele hasn’t fully returned to his pre-injury form following his ACL tear in 2022.
If Steele continues to struggle against elite pass rushers, the coaching staff may need to make changes on the offensive line. Prescott’s struggles, coupled with an ineffective running game, can partly be traced back to Steele’s pass protection issues.
3. TE Brevyn Spann-Ford
Although he was targeted only twice, Brevyn Spann-Ford’s missed opportunity in the end zone at the end of the first half proved costly. With Dallas leading 7-3, they had a promising drive, but Spann-Ford couldn’t complete the catch, forcing Dallas to settle for a field goal instead.
Spann-Ford, though undrafted, needs to capitalize on such opportunities. A touchdown would have been valuable, and leaving points on the board was disappointing.
If Spann-Ford had caught that pass, the game’s momentum could have shifted, potentially affecting the outcome. Plays like these will determine his long-term future with the team.
2. WR Kavontae Turpin
Kavontae Turpin was expected to step up in Brandin Cooks’ absence but has struggled to deliver beyond special teams. Sunday night, he missed several chances to make a significant impact.
He fumbled after a first-down run, though Cooper Beebe recovered it. On a kickoff return, an attempted reverse pitch was called a forward pass. But his biggest missed opportunity came in the fourth quarter.
After two quick CeeDee Lamb touchdowns put Dallas within striking distance, the defense forced a punt, giving the offense a chance. Prescott threw a pass to Turpin, who couldn’t make the tough over-the-shoulder catch. If he had, Dallas might have controlled the game.
Turpin’s inconsistency highlights the issues within the receiving corps, where Lamb’s 146 yards were unmatched by anyone else. Turpin missed his chance to be a game-changer.
1. QB Dak Prescott
Prescott must shoulder much of the blame. Though he threw two late touchdowns, he also threw two bad interceptions and nearly a third in Dallas’ final drive.
For a $240 million franchise quarterback, Prescott’s decisions were questionable. His first interception, a long pass into double coverage, was avoidable, as he could have taken the sack.
With Dallas trailing 13-10 in the third quarter, Prescott’s second interception effectively ended the game. The pass to Lamb was easily picked off by Deommodore Lenoir.
After this second interception, Prescott’s confidence visibly declined, and despite a late push, the game was out of reach.
This was Prescott’s third consecutive game with multiple interceptions, bringing his total to 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions for the season. For a QB with a $60 million salary, that’s simply not good enough. Prescott will face criticism for every loss as the Cowboys’ quarterback, but after a game like this, the blame falls squarely on him.
