Studs and Duds: Cowboys comeback falls short, who stood tall? Who shrunk in the moment?

The Cowboys’ defense has been one of the worst in the NFL this season, and they are severely undermanned. The team didn’t do much to counteract losses in free agency, and then DaRon Bland, Sam Williams, Micah Parsons, Demarcus Lawrence, and Caelen Carson all went out for multiple games due to injury. San Francisco would be tough to beat if Dallas had all their players, but it would be nearly impossible with all these contributors missing.

Zimmer battled early, holding the 49ers to only six points at half by playing an extra lineman or more to stop the run early and bringing unique looks and pressures when the 49ers had to pass. Dallas allowed the two field goals but forced two punts and a turnover on downs. They gave their offense a chance to put some points on the board and provide the weakened defense some breathing room, but once the offense struggled, the defense wore down in the second half, and San Francisco took advantage with three straight touchdown drives to start the second half.