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Cowboys vs. 49ers: The Good, Bad and Ugly from San Francisco's 24-17 Week 4 Loss

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The San Francisco 49ers dropped their Week 4 contest to the Dallas Cowboys by a score of 24-17. Niner Noise takes a look at the good, the bad and the ugly from San Francisco’s efforts.

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) attempts to run the ball while being tackled by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Dallas Cowboys won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers would probably like to wake up Monday morning and forget the apparent nightmare that happened at Levi’s Stadium in Week 4.

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But the Niners’ 24-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys was no nightmare. It was reality. A reality revealing a lot of the problems the red and gold are facing in 2016.

As we do each week, Niner Noise takes a look at the good, bad and ugly from San Francisco’s efforts. Despite falling to 1-3, the 49ers do have some positive takeaways. And with a quarter of the season under our belts, we can gauge just what to expect from head coach Chip Kelly and Co. heading into the next stretch of football.

One of the toughest parts to swallow is the fact San Francisco held a 14-0 lead, only to be outscored 24-3 from midway in the second quarter onward.

But that’s not the only problem.

The injury bug bit the Niners hard. Linebacker NaVorro Bowman was carted off the sidelines. And rookie defensive end DeForest Buckner also suffered a significant injury.

That’s not all of the ugly either.

So let’s take a look at the few things that went right and the large amount of things that went wrong.

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) celebrates after running in a touchdown during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

The Good

It’s hard to find too many positives from San Francisco’s Week 4 effort. But they’re there.

One of the main plusses is rookie cornerback Rashard Robinson, who was finally tested on a regular basis against the Cowboys.

Robinson recorded five tackles and three passes defended during the contest. One of them, occurring in a key red-zone defensive stand, forced Dallas to a fourth-quarter field goal (h/t Rob Lowder of Niners Wire):

Fellow corner Tramaine Brock didn’t have a great day in coverage, so one has to wonder whether or not Robinson might take over starting reps sooner than later.

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs the ball while defended by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Dallas Cowboys won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

And rookie defensive end DeForest Buckner was a force, before his injury, with five tackles and one quarterback hit.

Running back Carlos Hyde continues to be a factor and managed 74 yards on 15 carries and one touchdown during the contest. Hyde continues to be a bell cow for the offense, which looked great over the first half of the game.

At one point, head coach Chip Kelly’s group converted six third-down attempts in a row to start the game. When rolling, this is the type of offense Kelly is capable of implementing.

And we should also give a nod to wide receiver Jeremy Kerley, who led all Niners receivers with 88 yards on six catches plus a touchdown.

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs the ball while he is being pursued by San Francisco 49ers safety Jaquiski Tartt (29) during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Dallas Cowboys won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

The Bad

A questionable personal foul on safety Jaquiski Tartt in the second quarter changed the tempo of the game in Dallas’ favor. That’s bad.

And the Cowboys didn’t have to look back.

The same Niners team which started 6-of-6 on third downs ended up with an 8-of-14 mark, which shows how much San Francisco’s offense stalled in the second half. Dallas nearly doubled the Niners in first downs made too — 26 to 14.

One of the reasons the Cowboys were able to generate so many first downs was due to their ability to move the ball so effectively on the ground.

We’ll get to the run defense in a bit. But it’s a stat not helped by the injury to linebacker NaVorro Bowman.

October 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) is carted off the field during the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the 49ers 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Bowman suffered a lower leg injury and had to be carted off to the locker room from the sidelines. The prognosis doesn’t look good, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport:

Rookie defensive end DeForest Buckner was probably having the best game of his pro career before suffering a leg injury of his own. Like Bowman, Buckner had to be carted off the sidelines. Buckner was wearing a boot and walking on crutches after the game, per Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area.

We can’t overlook quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who actually completed some highly accurate passes early on. But his fourth-quarter interception on a would-be touchdown pass to wide receiver Torrey Smith stands as the lowlight.

At such a crucial moment in the game, it makes sense why some fans would be calling for Colin Kaepernick to take over for Gabbert.

It won’t happen on the short week before the Arizona Cardinals visit Levi’s Stadium on Thursday Night Football.

October 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back October 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) is carted off the field during the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the 49ers 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Ugly

San Francisco’s run defense. Enough said.

Facing off against rookie standout tailback Ezekiel Elliott is a challenge of its own. And yet the 49ers were unable to execute the same sort of defensive prowess against the run seen in the Niners’ Week 1 efforts against the Los Angeles Rams and running back Todd Gurley.

The 49ers allowed a whopping total of 194 yards on the ground. And the defense now ranks dead last in the league with 562 yards against in this category.

And, as Pro Football Focus’ Jeff Deeney pointed out, the Niners haven’t shown an ability to stop the run in nickel packages:

Defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil’s scheme is something to be concerned with here. As our own Rich Madrid pointed out prior to the season, O’Neil’s run-defense schemes open up liabilities in gap protection.

We’re seeing that now. Elliott gashed San Francisco’s defense for 138 yards and averaged six yards per carry.

More from Niner Noise

One can also look at the Niners’ lack of second-half offensive prowess as an ugly point too. Unfortunately, with the 49ers defense not forcing any turnovers during the game, San Francisco’s offense couldn’t muster any elongated second-half drives to much effect.

And so the Niners fall to 1-3 on the season, which is probably where many experts felt they would be once a quarter of 2016 was in the books.

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of ESPN.com, Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.

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