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

By Peter Panacy

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brice Butler (19) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brice Butler (19) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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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
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.

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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.

Next: Cowboys vs. 49ers: Week 4 Grades and Analysis for San Francisco

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