“`html
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Dak Prescott’s struggle continued as he added two more interceptions to his record during a challenging game. Despite a failed attempt to secure a comeback victory, the Dallas Cowboys’ defense showed vulnerabilities, allowing three consecutive touchdown drives during a rough third quarter. A star player also engaged in a confrontation with a media figure regarding a social media comment shortly after the game concluded. Following their week off, the Cowboys, who achieved 12 victories in each of the previous three seasons, seemed unable to address the numerous issues plaguing the team, ultimately falling to the San Francisco 49ers with a close score of 30-24 on Sunday night.
“I can definitely tell you nobody is shaking or giving up,” Prescott stated. “Frustration is very high, but it’s a long season. A lot of the division games are still ahead of us. Frustration. That’s the best way I can put it.” The 3-4 Cowboys experienced heightened frustration, particularly after cornerback Trevon Diggs emerged from the locker room, still in full uniform, to challenge a reporter who had criticized his performance during the game on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
While emotions ran high off the field, the team’s ongoing struggles were evident during the game itself. The Cowboys’ defense failed to apply adequate pressure on 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, especially with star linebacker Micah Parsons sidelined due to an ankle injury. The Cowboys’ defense allowed a staggering 223 rushing yards and yielded an average of 7.3 yards per play without forcing any turnovers. Remarkably, Dallas, which had led the NFL in turnovers over the past two seasons, managed only five takeaways across seven games this season.
On the other hand, Prescott’s continual mistakes contributed to the team’s challenges as he became the first Cowboys quarterback in three decades to throw multiple interceptions in three consecutive games. “As coaches and players we can learn from this,” head coach Mike McCarthy remarked. “We’re 3-4, that’s the facts of this deal. I’m disappointed. We obviously felt we were going to come in here and do what we needed to do to get the win and we came up short.”
The second interception Prescott threw proved particularly damaging, occurring during the opening drive of the third quarter, merely three plays after the 49ers took a narrow 13-10 lead. This turn of events allowed San Francisco to swiftly convert the turnover into another touchdown. “That one hurts,” Prescott reflected. “Starting off the third quarter that way, allowed them to get a touchdown there. Look at the end at the score, a touchdown’s the difference. Once again, we put ourselves behind in the turnover battle, and that’s on me. Can’t have that to try to win games. I’ve got to clean that up good.”
In the third quarter, San Francisco swiftly added another touchdown drive before the Cowboys even managed their first down of the second half. Prescott attempted to rally the offense in the fourth quarter, driving down the field for two touchdowns, both passes completed to CeeDee Lamb, although ultimately falling short of a complete comeback. The Cowboys regained possession at their 25-yard line with just over three minutes remaining, requiring a touchdown to seize the lead. Unfortunately, Prescott’s four consecutive incompletions sealed their fate, with KaVontae Turpin unable to make a catch on a deep sideline pass on third down, followed by a fourth-down attempt to Jalen Brooks that fell incomplete, with Ji’Ayir Brown seemingly making contact before the ball arrived.
“That’s all I can ask for, all this team can ask for, is an opportunity, ball in our hands down six to win the game,” Prescott summarized his thoughts. “Third down, liked the matchup, took a shot. Didn’t convert it. Fourth down, I got pressure early, I had to get out of the pocket and got to put up something for hopes. Hoped that there was contact at the end, didn’t go that way, two guys on one. They made the plays when they needed to and we didn’t.”
“`