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The Dallas Cowboys playoff performance against the San Francisco 49ers was one to forget. It was a mess from the beginning and ended up being a closer contest than it should have been. We go over this Cowboys-49ers game with some of our Cowboys playoff takeaways in mind.
Dallas couldn't get anything going on offense and the defense looked dazed and confused all day. Between unnecessary penalties and horrible play-calling, the Cowboys find themselves out of the playoff race early. It'll be an interesting offseason for this franchise, as Jerry Jones was visibly upset with the outcome.
We might see numerous changes to this team. Whether it's the roster or the coaching staff is yet to be determined. However, the Cowboys' problems seem to lie within the coaching staff, which means Mike McCarthy's seat is heating up. Additionally, it might be time for the fan base to face the facts, as Ezekiel Elliott is not the same running back he used to be. Luckily, there is some good news, as the franchise should keep Dak Prescott under center for a while.
With that said, here are three Cowboys playoff takeaways from their abysmal loss to the 49ers.
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Cowboys Playoff Takeaways
3. Mike McCarthy should be fired
Although the Cowboys finished the regular season with a decent record, the team was riddled with problems. Dallas led the league in penalties and that came through on Sunday as they recorded 14 of them against the 49ers. On top of that, there was rather questionable play-calling throughout the contest.
Mike McCarthy is a decent coach, but he's not the best by any means. Most of the problems the Cowboys have had this season can be fixed with better discipline. Based on that, Dallas would be better off finding a new head coach sooner, rather than later.
2. It's time to move on from Ezekiel Elliott
Ezekiel Elliott has been dealing with injuries throughout the year. Even so, he just isn't the same running back he used to be. He more than deserved the big paycheck he received, but right now it's looking like a bad deal for the Cowboys. He'll likely remain on the roster next year, but Dallas should consider finding his replacement.
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Tony Pollard is a solid backup, but it's unclear whether or not he can take over the starting role. The draft is the best place to find a new running back, but we'll see how the Cowboys approach the offseason. Although he's likely to return next year, it's time for Dallas to find a new running back.
1. Dak Prescott will bounce back
It was a rough day for Dak Prescott. However, fans should still feel optimistic about the future. The roster is loaded with young talent on both sides of the ball. Additionally, Prescott is one of the league's better quarterbacks. Most of the problems can be blamed on the coaching staff, which means the Cowboys should go all-in on continuing to build around their star quarterback.
The Cowboys are likely to find themselves in the playoffs again. Considering how bad the NFC East is, Dallas is miles ahead of their division rivals. Prescott is bound to be a star for years, which bodes well for the future of this franchise. Look for Dak Prescott to bounce back next year and lead his team to another playoff appearance. Hopefully next time they make a deeper run.
