The Dallas Cowboys suffered a 30-24 defeat against the San Francisco 49ers following their bye week, marking their second consecutive loss and fourth in their last six games.
What are the Cowboys’ standings in national power rankings after consecutive defeats?
Todd Archer, ESPN
Given the Cowboys’ offseason strategy, options are limited. Kendricks, the team’s leading tackler, has missed a game, which reflects on the defense’s performance. Without him, they were frequently misaligned in a 38-point loss to the Lions. He acts as the defense’s quarterback and has been a reliable player for Dallas.
Ranking: No. 20
Staff, Bleacher Report
This situation was not anticipated for the Dallas Cowboys, who were expected to defend their NFC East title, make a deep playoff run, and secure another Super Bowl for Jerry Jones. Instead, they sit at 3-4, plagued by injuries on defense and a struggling offense. The NFL’s least effective running game averaged less than three yards per carry against the 49ers, and the Dallas defense allowed a 21-0 third quarter, leaving Dak Prescott unable to recover.
Ranking: No. 22
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Currently, the Cowboys are not a good team. Their offense is limited, and the defense lacks physicality. Overall, the situation is chaotic.
Ranking: No. 20
Connor Orr, Sports Illustrated
The defense faltered in the second half. It’s hard to believe the Cowboys once held the lead before George Kittle overpowered defenders for a touchdown. On that play, a hard legal pick underscored the struggles. Dak Prescott made several turnover-worthy mistakes, nearly having one of his worst games due to a few dropped interceptions.
Ranking: No. 22
Eric Edholm, NFL.com
The Cowboys are below .500 and more than two games behind in the NFC East. Even their Week 7 bye couldn’t rejuvenate them enough for a victory in San Francisco. While they showed some effort in the first half, they collapsed in the third quarter, with Prescott throwing a poor interception and the defense allowing three touchdowns. Although they made it competitive late, it wasn’t sufficient. At 3-4, they have little margin for error.
Ranking: No. 21
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
Without Micah Parsons (ankle), the Cowboys’ defense has struggled, failing to make crucial plays against the run or pass, which contributed to their issues in San Francisco. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb have been effective in attempting to catch up, but the deficits are becoming too significant.
Ranking: No. 20
Diante Lee, The Ringer
It’s a familiar story: the Cowboys faced a strong opponent and failed to establish a running game or make defensive stops. Prescott felt the pressure and turned the ball over multiple times, worsening the very issues he sought to address.
Ranking: No. 19
Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk
Inspired by Trevon Diggs, Jerry Jones will introduce a new food item at the next home game.
Ranking: No. 21
Cody Williams, FanSided
After witnessing the 49ers dominate the Cowboys for much of the game, it’s clear that Dallas needs a definitive direction. Based on the results, it appears that the best course of action may be to reassess their approach.
Ranking: No. 21
Matt Johnson, Sportsnaut
This may signal the end for the Dallas Cowboys. Once again, Dak Prescott performed admirably in a losing effort but the team fell apart once more. The Cowboys have long struggled with the same issues that remain unresolved. Following another national loss, it’s likely becoming clear to Jerry Jones that a Super Bowl victory may be out of reach.
Ranking: No. 20
