Oh dear. Oh dear. Oh me. Oh my. Sometimes the 49ers make me want to cry.
That performance in Seattle was pretty embarrassing, and unfortunately it exposed what I think we all new going into the 2016 season – the San Francisco 49ers are not a very good football team. Even with that information, they looked unprepared for a Seattle team that was a sleeping giant. The Niners sure woke it up. But, what’s done is done and there are another 13 weeks of football left to play, so onward to week four.
The 49ers are back home at Levi’s Stadium to take on the 2-1 Dallas Cowboys. Awesome.
On this week’s Talking Touchdowns game preview, I take a look at the matchup between the 49ers and the Cowboys, focusing on:
- The Dallas Rookies – The Cowboys drafted well and they’ve got themselves a red-hot rookie quarterback and red-hot rookie running back. Quarterback Dak Prescott has yet to throw an interception while leading the Dallas to a 2-1 record, while RB Ezekiel Elliott had 140 rushing yards on 30 carries against the Chicago Bears last week. Prescott also rushed for a TD the other night, so the Niners run defense is going to have its worked cut out for them.
- The 49ers’ defense and the best word I can use for it at the moment is yikes. The unit gave up 435 total yards after giving up 529 the week before. And it’s not going to get easier as CB Jimmie Ward has a quad injury and is week to week. The inexperience of rookie DeForest Buckner was exposed as Christine Michel rushed for over 100 yards and two TDs. Ahmad Brooks had a nice game on Sunday with three solo tackles and a sack, but the unit has a whole is going to have to figure out a way to close the gaps in the run defense and bring pressure to the quarterback.
- And of course, the 49er offense. Blaine Gabbert is not the answer at quarterback. He was a mess on Sunday, throwing for 119 yards and an INT. The 49ers went into the 4th quarter having made five first downs, THE WHOLE GAME. Dallas doesn’t have a great pass rush and secondary, but the 49ers don’t have much of a passing game or receiving corps, so that’s a wash. Carlos Hyde ended the day with 103 rush yards and two 4th quarter TDs. The Niner offense is Hyde or bust, or as it seems, Hyde and still bust.
- My game prediction and yours! Send me your game predictions with scores and whoever is closest will get a shout out in next week’s game preview video.
*UPDATE: Cowboy’s coach Jason Garrett said WR Dez Bryant has a hairline fracture in his knee and is week to week. He is hoping Bryant plays Sunday.
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Go Niners!