For the first time since Troy Aikman in 1992, a Dallas Cowboys quarterback has thrown multiple interceptions in three straight games. Who is that quarterback? Yes, it is Dak Prescott, and the timing has never been worse. Just when the Cowboys thought another nightmare in San Francisco was looming, deeper wounds were exposed regarding an organization that can’t stop tripping over their own feet.

“The Cowboys are just a collection of players,” Chris Simms fired on Pro Football Talk today, his words cutting through the usual post-game pleasantries. “They’re not a team.” The former NFL quarterback’s assessment came after watching Dallas squander a 10-6 halftime lead, imploding during a 21-0 third-quarter collapse against their playoff nemesis.

Two weeks of preparation yielded familiar results. The Cowboys’ bye week read like a soap opera script: Jerry Jones picking fights with radio hosts, then backpedaling to appear on their shows. Between these media spats, Jones found time to critique play-calling and design while paradoxically celebrating parade-like distractions at team facilities.

“It’s always something with the Cowboys,” Mike Florio observed on Pro Football Talk. “They’ve become the new Chargers.” The comparison stings, but it fits. Despite their embarrassing playoff exit last season, Dallas made no significant roster moves. Jones even brought up the Derek Henry miss unprompted, seemingly haunted by what could have been.

The numbers tell a damning story. Against San Francisco, Dallas’ ground game mustered just 56 yards on 19 carries. While CeeDee Lamb shone with 146 yards and two touchdowns, the remaining pass-catchers scraped together 97 yards. As Simms pointed out, “You can’t win a Super Bowl or go to the playoffs with just two people.”

Prescott and Lamb’s heroics can’t mask coaching woes

“Pretty bad. It sucks,” Lamb said post-game, his frustration boiling over. “Especially coming here three times the last three years and we’ve lost to them. It’s sickening.” His performance deserved better than another crushing defeat at Levi’s Stadium.

Prescott’s accountability spoke volumes. “[I need to] not turn the ball over, period,” he admitted. “That second one was as boneheaded of an interception as I’ve had.” Despite the late surge that brought them within striking distance, four straight incompletions on their final drive sealed their fate.

Mike McCarthy’s post-game promises rang hollow against the backdrop of a 3-4 record. “We got to stop the run and stay committed to the run for four quarters,” he insisted. Yet without Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, the defense surrendered 223 rushing yards to a 49ers team missing Christian McCaffrey.

The road ahead looks treacherous. Atlanta’s surging Falcons await, followed by the Philadelphia Eagles and a surprisingly potent Washington Commanders team. “Been here before, in 2018,” Prescott recalled, referring to a season where they started 3-5 before catching fire. But as Florio pointedly asked, “Why bother when you know what’s waiting for you?” That question hangs over Dallas like a storm cloud, with no signs of clearing.