Cowboys vs. 49ers: Live Week 4 Thread, Updates and Analysis for San Francisco

The San Francisco 49ers host the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4 at Levi’s Stadium. Niner Noise gives you all the updates, news and analysis throughout as this historic rivalry hits yet another chapter.

The San Francisco 49ers greeted the Dallas Cowboys for a Week 4 showdown at Levi’s Stadium on October 2.

San Francisco was coming off an ugly Week 3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks and looked to put an end to the Cowboys’ recent momentum, as they knocked off the Chicago Bears last week.

Dallas rookie quarterback Dak Prescott has made veteran QB Tony Romo’s absence a forgotten element in this game. And fellow rookie Ezekiel Elliott has been a factor within the Cowboys ground attack too.

Would a questionable Niners defense be able to halt what is emerging as a strong Dallas offense?

San Francisco’s offense has also experienced its fair share of woes over three weeks. Quarterback Blaine Gabbert is under scrutiny for his less-than-stellar efforts this season. And one might be wondering if he’ll give way to backup QB Colin Kaepernick sooner rather than later.

Signs might have pointed to a San Francisco defeat. But could the Niners turn things around and pull off the home victory over their long-time rival?

Stick with us as Niner Noise provides you with in-game updates and analysis throughout. And be sure to scroll down and participate in our comment thread as well!

First Quarter

San Francisco started off on defense and immediately gave up a 27-yard return to Lucky Whitehead. Dallas quickly moved into Niners territory, following a key third-down conversion from Prescott to Cowboys’ leading receiver Cole Beasley.

Yet the 49ers defense managed to bend enough, which forced Dallas kicker Dan Bailey to miss a 47-yard field-goal attempt.

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The Niners’ own drive started with a third-down conversion, coming off a Gabbert scramble — nice to see one of those. And San Francisco managed another too.

This led to a wide-open 33-yard touchdown pass from Gabbert to wide receiver Jeremy Kerley, as the Niners picked up a Dallas blitz.

San Francisco’s defense attempted to back up its offense’s opening drive. And linebacker NaVorro Bowman was able to sack Prescott on a key third-down conversion attempt, which forced Dallas to punt.

Although credit Cowboys punter Chris Jones for pinning the Niners right up against their own goal line.

Head coach Chip Kelly challenged the play, as a Dallas special teams player had his foot on the goal line while stopping the punt. The play was overturned, and San Francisco took over at its own 20-yard line.

Gabbert helped lead the offense into Cowboys territory, thanks to a couple of key throws and runs. And the 49ers found themselves in the red zone at the end of the first quarter.

Second Quarter

Gabbert’s chemistry with Kerley put San Francisco right back into a scoring opportunity.

And on another third-down attempt, running back Carlos Hyde punched in his fifth touchdown of the season to put the Niners up 14-0.

Up 14-0, the 49ers looked to keep Dallas’ offensive struggles going. Defensive end Arik Armstead generated some good up-front pressure, which kept Prescott uncomfortable within the pocket.

And this pressure forced another Cowboys punt before they reached the 50-yard line.

Right tackle Trent Brown gave up his first sack on the year — only the Niners’ third in 2016 — which forced a San Francisco punt from deep within its own territory.

Elliott was a prime reason Dallas was able to move midfield.

A questionable flag against the 49ers pushed Prescott and the Cowboys offense into Niners territory.

And Prescott found Williams for a 20-yard touchdown pass.

San Francisco had 2:58 with which to work before the half. Facing another key third-down attempt after the two-minute warning, Gabbert couldn’t complete a pass to Kerley despite a non-call on Dallas (Kerley’s jersey was being held).

Punter Bradley Pinion’s subsequent punt wasn’t particularly good either.

Dallas moved into the San Francisco red zone with time running out.

And Prescott found Bryce Butler for a four-yard touchdown, which ended up tying things up just before the half.

Third Quarter

San Francisco opened up on offense after the half. And Hyde gashed a 32-yard carry for the 49ers’ first play from scrimmage, which put the offense into Dallas territory. Gabbert then found tight end Garrett Celek for a perfectly placed pass on the following snap.

And yet the 49ers’ red-zone trip stalled, and kicker Phil Dawson at least gave the Niners a three-point lead.

Dallas’ subsequent drive ended with a midfield punt, which gave Gabbert and the offense another chance to increase their lead.

But San Francisco went 3-and-out and were forced to punt yet again.

Making things even more concerning, linebacker NaVorro Bowman went down with a non-contact injury on the following defensive stand. Nick Bellore took over his spot on the field.

And cornerback Rashard Robinson also went down the subsequent snap.

Elliott and the Cowboys offense managed to knife through San Francisco’s defense, which led to a one-yard touchdown run to give Dallas the 21-17 lead.

Fourth Quarter

Gabbert converted a key third down just before the final frame of regulation, and the 49ers tried to retake the lead.

And yet the drive stalled midfield, forcing another Niners punt.

San Francisco’s defense managed to hold, which forced a Dallas punt in return.

Gabbert finally tried to get wide receiver Torrey Smith involved, but an underthrown deep pass wound up in the hands of Cowboys defensive back Morris Claiborne for the first turnover of the game.

Elliott ripped off another huge gain and was averaging over seven yards a carry, as Dallas again moved deep into Niners territory.

The 49ers run defense continued to be a problem, which assisted the Cowboys’ drive into the red zone. And yet Robinson, who returned from a previous injury, managed to break up a key would-be touchdown pass to limit the Cowboys to a field goal.

Trailing by a touchdown, the Niners offense looked to rediscover its first-half rhythm. Gabbert and the offense was driving at the two-minute mark, and Kerley managed to be a key factor in San Francisco’s ball-movement efforts.

And yet San Francisco faced a 4th-and-6 just inside the two-minute mark. Gabbert’s pass to Smith was, you guessed it, two yards short of the first-down marker.

Dallas took over on offense looking to wind down the clock.

One first-down conversion, assisted by a 49ers penalty, ensured the Cowboys would come away with the win and San Francisco would fall to 1-3.

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Next: Cowboys vs. 49ers: What's the Game Plan for San Francisco?

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