A couple of weeks ago, the San Francisco 49ers dismantled Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys 42-10, and it looked like they were the best team in the NFL, while the Cowboys looked a lot less mighty than they had previously.
But now that the 49ers have lost two games in a row, they also have some cracks in their armor. It led to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones saying they could “be had” after the way the Minnesota Vikings attacked their defense on Monday.
Former San Francisco cornerback Richard Sherman took Jones to task for that comment, reminding him that his head coach, McCarthy, isn’t quite at the level of Kevin O’Connell, the head coach of the Vikings.
The Vikings played an outstanding game and quarterback Kirk Cousins was dazzling, as Sherman noted. Cousins went 35 of 45 and threw for 378 yards and two touchdowns, while rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison had 123 yards and two touchdowns and tight end T.J. Hockenson added 86 receiving yards.
Yet they won by just five points, and if perhaps one more play went against them and in the Niners’ favor, the outcome would’ve been different.
San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy had two interceptions, including one in the final minute as he attempted to lead what would’ve been the game-winning drive. But other than that, he was solid at the very least, completing 21 of 30 passes for 272 yards and one touchdown.
Both teams were shorthanded in this contest. Minnesota was without superstar wideout Justin Jefferson, while wide receiver Deebo Samuel, a 2021 All-Pro First Team selection, and star left tackle Trent Williams didn’t play for the 49ers.
Right now, perhaps the most glaring concern for the Niners is defense, especially their secondary. Their normally feared pass rush was also non-existent in this game, and defensive end Nick Bosa, last year’s Defensive Player of the Year, has just 2.5 sacks so far this season and had zero versus the Vikings.
There is plenty of time for San Francisco to turn things around and become dominant again. But right now, there is some real concern surrounding the team. Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys have a lot to prove moving forward.
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