Cowboys vs. 49ers: The good, bad and ugly from preseason Week 1
By Peter Panacy
![SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Leighton Vander Esch #55 and Justin March-Lillard #53 of the Dallas Cowboys tackles Marcell Harris #49 of the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter of their NFL preseason football game at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Leighton Vander Esch #55 and Justin March-Lillard #53 of the Dallas Cowboys tackles Marcell Harris #49 of the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter of their NFL preseason football game at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/7029c56587fe76774e09f4f88b1101e12f299b2beb99e963297bba3d8a72078f.jpg)
The Bad
Despite making things interesting after falling behind 21-10, the majority of the 49ers’ efforts Thursday night weren’t too pretty. Dallas managed to score on its opening drive with most of San Francisco’s starters failing to halt the Cowboys’ momentum.
Particularly on a key third-down run by Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott that ultimately kept their drive alive.
San Francisco 49ers
49ers Run Blocking
Don’t read too much into this line, but presumed No. 1 running back Jerick McKinnon averaged minus-1.3 yards per carry this contest.
OK, it was just on three carries. But the overall tone from San Francisco’s offensive line, namely in run support, didn’t look good. Backup tailbacks Raheem Mostert and Joe Williams each ripped off carries of 15-plus yards.
But that was about it, and both runs came very late in the game against second- and third-tier Cowboys defenders.
Tipped Passes & Turnovers
C.J. Beathard had three, one of those for an interception. A fourth was negated by a Cowboys penalty.
Meanwhile, third-string quarterback Nick Mullens had a couple of passes deflected, another one of which ended up in Dallas’ hands.
Better pass protection up front and quicker decision making should help that.
Jimmie Ward
With Richard Sherman out, Jimmie Ward got the start at boundary cornerback. And it didn’t go well from Ward’s perspective.
On Dallas’ first drive, Ward was responsible for coverage on Cowboys rookie receiver Michael Gallup, who was running right with Ward until the defensive back held up and couldn’t locate the ball in the air.
Gallup hauled it in and gave Dallas the early lead.
Overall, Ward was targeted twice and gave up catches both times. His move from safety back to cornerback isn’t off to a hot start.