Category: 2021 season

2021 Playoffs: Cowboys’ season comes to anti-climactic end with 23-17 loss to 49ers

The Cowboys were outplayed, but gave themselves several chances to win in the fourth before coming up short. | From @KDDrummondNFL

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After a torrid start to the 2021 season, the Dallas Cowboys’ offense fell into a funk. Injuries and offensive line shuffling led to a lack of confidence in his protection and quarterback Dak Prescott’s performance began to slide downhill. There was much concern over this in Dallas, though not much to do but keep working on things until they got better. That’s why the team didn’t rest anyone in the season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, hoping to get their mojo back.

It didn’t work. The same issues took the Cowboys down in their wild-card game against the San Francisco 49ers. Pre-snap penalties. Holding calls and general bad blocking happened first, an inaccurate and poor decision making Prescott followed. After a big-play, opening-drive touchdown by the 49ers put the defense on skates, they tried to buckle down however they couldn’t stop the bum rush boosted by the lack of successful drives by the offense. In the end, it was the end of the Cowboys’ season, falling 23-17 after a surreal, wild ending to a poorly-played performance.

Everything failed for the Cowboys in this contest, from coaching to player execution. Anyone looking for a microcosm to the issues found it in the fourth quarter when Dallas ran a successful fake punt, and then tried to double down. They kept the punt unit on the field, trying to trick the 49ers before running out their offense, only to get called for delay of game when the ref wouldn’t let them snap it to allow San Francisco to complete their substitution.

Dallas, trailing by 16 with 12 minutes left, kicked a 51-yard field goal to trim the score to 13, still two scores down.

The Cowboys did what they’ve done many times in the past, made a furious fourth-quarter comeback scoring 10 unanswered points and they got the ball back with a chance to go win it. However Dak Prescott’s fourth-down deep ball fell incomplete when Cedrick Wilson stumbled, giving the ball back to San Francisco.

The defense tried to come up with a stop to get one last try, but that was thrwarted when Randy Gregory was called for his third penalty of the game for defensive holding, tackling an offensive lineman behind the play.

It was the only way this game could go, Dallas setting their franchise record with 14 penalties. Only it didn’t end there. The Cowboys got a third-down stop, upon review, inches short of a clinching first-down for WR Deebo Samuel. Trying for a sneak to end the game, the referee finally called a false start on the 49ers, forcing a punt.

Prescott moved the ball down the field with three plays that got out of bounds, but with 14 seconds left Dallas tried to run a sneak. It worked, only the club couldn’t get the ball snapped to spike it for one try in the end zone.

The club never got to try their shot, after failing miserably to put themselves in a better position throughout the rest of the game.

And so Dallas moves on to the offseason, with potential coaching changes, loss of free agents and several months to digest what went wrong.

 

WATCH: Prescott-Cooper connection stops Cowboys’ bleeding with TD

Dallas responded to the 13-0 deficit with a surgical touchdown drive, capped off by an Amari Cooper touchdown catch. | From @CDBurnett7

The Dallas Cowboys came out 100% flat to start their 2021 postseason and found themselves down 13-0 in the second quarter. Before the Cowboys’ third drive, the 49ers had ran 26 plays compared to Dallas’ 8 plays.

With the momentum against them, the Cowboys went to a physical attack with running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard trading carries and marching down the field for the first threatening Dallas drive. On a critical third down, quarterback Dak Prescott targeted the secondary and dropped it in a bucket to wide receiver Amari Cooper to stop the bleeding.

The touchdown drive was just what the doctor ordered for the Cowboys and the only third down they faced was the 20-yard touchdown to Cooper. Dallas now trails 13-7 with three timeouts and time to get the ball back and pressure San Francisco.

Cowboys’ Micah Parsons returns after early concussion scare

Early in the wild card game, Micah Parsons went to the medical tent but returned to the field at the end of the defensive drive. | From @CDBurnett7

The San Francisco 49ers came out swinging in AT&T Stadium with an effortless first drive touchdown without reaching third down. Coming off the quick score, the Dallas defense got pushed right back onto the field after a three-and-out from the offense and Linebacker Micah Parsons took a helmet-to-helmet hit on the 49ers’ second offensive drive.

Parsons was slow to reach the sideline and the trainers wasted no time helping him to the medical tent.

Without the All-Pro rookie, the Dallas defense stifled the 49ers offense to force a field goal attempt by Robbie Gould. In a breath of relief. Parsons returned to the field for the fourth down play, relieving concern about his status for the game.

Even though it’s an early 10-0 hole for the Cowboys, the return of Parsons gives more hope early in the wild card contest.

Wild-card Inactives: Cowboys, 49ers both almost full go

The Cowboys are close to 100% for their wild card matchup with the 49ers but Keanu Neal is inactive after injuries suffered in Week 18. | From @CDBurnett7

The Cowboys’ postseason opener is here and they’re near 100% as a unit as they begin their playoff run. After a week of rest, caution and COVID in Week 18, Dallas welcomes back running back Tony Pollard and left tackle Tyron Smith to the offense.

On the defensive side, safety Jayron Kearse was a full participant in practice and is active against San Francisco. The biggest absence for the Cowboys’ defense is linebacker Keanu Neal. Luke Gifford saw extra snaps in Week 18 and could see more against the 49ers in Neal’s absence.

Dallas has six inactives, including cornerbacks Nahshon Wright and Maurice Canady, setting up. a big day for Kelvin Joseph against the likes of Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. Offensive guard Matt Farniok, wide receiver Simi Fehoko and nose tackle Quinton Bohanna round out the list.

For San Francisco, there was concern around All-Pro tackle Trent Williams’ status with an elbow injury but he’s active and will wear a brace against Dallas. Similar to the Cowboys, it’s all systems go with linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair also active after being questionable for the contest.

Running back Trey Sermon was activated this week from IR but is one of six inactive for San Francisco. The Cowboys-49ers rivalry is renewed and both teams will be almost fully healthy for their wild card matchup.

Cowboys Wire Podcast: Wild-card preview as Dallas takes on 49ers

A preview of what to expect when the Cowboys and 49ers rekindle their rivalry from the 80s and 90s. | From @KDDrummondNFL, @RyanO_Leary.

The Dallas Cowboys (12-5) are all set to begin what they hope will be a month-long journey to their sixth Lombardi trophy. It will be a series of tests which are only unlocked after the previous foe has been vanquished. Their first mission? Taking out the San Francisco 49ers (10-7).

The guys preview the marquee game on the NFL’s slate for wild-card weekend: Cowboys vs. 49ers. Topics include an age-old rivalry renewed, why the analytics love Kyle Shanahan, the formula to make life miserable for Jimmy Garoppolo and betting predictions against the spread and total. Hosted by Ryan O’Leary (@RyanO_Leary) with Cowboys Wire Managing Editor K.D. Drummond (@KDDrummondNFL).

Follow the Cowboys Wire Podcast:
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Bears’ statistical leaders following 2021 season

Here are the Bears’ statistical leaders at the conclusion of the 2021 season.

The Chicago Bears finished the 2021 season with a 6-11 record, their first losing record in the last four years. It was a disappointing season that ultimately resulted in the firing of both head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace.

The offense was at its worst in Nagy’s fourth year as head coach, even with quarterback Justin Fields, whose rookie season was rough. But the defense was a pleasant surprise in the second half of the season, where guys like linebacker Roquan Smith and outside linebacker Robert Quinn had some impressive outings, which garnered them second-team All-Pro honors.

Here are the Bears’ statistical leaders at the conclusion of the 2021 season:

News and Notes: 49ers rivalry renewed, 4 Cowboys make All-Pro teams

Special Teams the key on Sunday? A review of the health index of each club and a look at the analytics behind the wild-card combatants. @CDBurnett7 brings the news roundup.

The NFL playoffs have arrived and the hype surrounding the rekindled rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers might be the biggest story for wild card weekend. Dallas is the favorite in this game but there’s much more to note about a scrappy 49ers team.

Predictions have the Cowboys winning it but the advanced statsspeak to how it’s a tough matchup for Dallas to open up the postseason. Luckily for the Cowboys, they’ve got some big pieces back.

Safety Jayron Kearse is off the COVID list, running back Tony Pollard is good to go, while Dallas returns a couple newly-announced All-Pro defenders after a game off in Week 18. It’s time to buckle up for the most important moment of the Cowboys’ season so far.

Bears’ Allen Robinson says he and Matt Nagy didn’t speak for 5 months

Allen Robinson and Matt Nagy were supportive of each other. But everything changed when the Bears slapped the franchise tag on Robinson.

It hasn’t even been a week since the Bears parted with head coach Matt Nagy, but the fallout is already beginning to surface from players after enduring a complicated season.

The Bears went 6-11, their first losing season since 2017, and Nagy’s impending firing was at the top of everyone’s mind for the last 6-8 weeks.

Over the last few days, players have spoken out about the difficult circumstances they faced this season, including wide receiver Allen Robinson.

The veteran pass catcher was always vocal about his support for Nagy, particularly during the 2020 season when the coach vouched for him during the contract dispute he had with the Bears. But according to Robinson, all of that changed last offseason when the $18 million franchise tag was placed on him.

Speaking with “Keyshawn, J Will, and Max” on ESPN Radio on Friday, Robinson opened up about this last year with the Bears and indicated things felt different this time around while he was playing on the franchise tag.

“At that point in time, once I was franchise tagged, throughout the course of the year, it just felt a little bit different. As far as my involvement and things like that, from the time last season ended, I think I talked to coach Nagy for the first time in June or July, whatever day mandatory minicamp was, it was June 17th.

“That was the first time I had talked to him since the flight after the Saints loss the year prior. Things like that coming into the season were a little unsettling for me, especially with that being my guy since the time I stepped foot in Chicago and us having open communication and things like that. That’s kind of the stuff that started early on in the season…”

After the support both men showed each other in 2020, it’s surprising to hear how Nagy ghosted Robinson following the playoff loss. “He’s a super person and a super player,” Nagy told the media in September 2020 during the public contract dispute. “He’s confident that we want him to be here and he wants to be here. That’s ultimately the goal.”

Robinson echoed the sentiment, saying he had a “very good and spirited talk” with his coach and that they were on the same page. Robinson finished that season with 102 receptions, 1,250 yards, and six touchdowns, a far cry from his output this past year.

Outside of his 2017 season where he tore his ACL in Week 1, Robinson had his his worst season as a professional in 2021. He played in just 12 games, catching 38 passes for 410 yards and one touchdown. Robinson battled injuries throughout the season, but when he was on the field, he simply wasn’t involved in the gameplan and, when he was, he was ineffective.

It sounds like his deteriorating relationship with Nagy had something to do with it, but Robinson is focused on moving forward.

“One of 32 teams is going to get a very, very, very, hungry player, whoever that may be,” he said.

Robinson doesn’t anticipate getting tagged again by the Bears, who would have to pay him around $22 million if they chose to do so. It appears both sides are ready to move on. But Robinson was clearly hurt by the lack of support from his coach.

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Cowboys’ Zack Martin, Trevon Diggs, Micah Parsons named to 2021 NFL All-Pro team

The Cowboys are 1 of 5 teams with three first-team All-Pros; it’s the first year since 2009 for multiple defensive players to be so honored. | From @ToddBrock24f7

The ballots are in, and three Cowboys have been named to The Associated Press 2021 NFL All-Pro team.

The results were announced Friday based on voting from a national panel of 50 media members.

Right guard Zack Martin received 46 votes out of a possible 50. This is his fifth time earning a first-team designation, having won the honor in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2019. Martin made the second team in 2015 and 2017.

Trevon Diggs earned 33 votes, the most at the cornerback position. It is the first All-Pro award for the league leader in interceptions; his 11 picks also tied the Cowboys franchise single-season record.

Micah Parsons can now add first-team All-Pro to his list of rookie accolades. He took home a league-leading 46 votes among linebackers and is the only rookie in the league to make the first team.

“I think it’s an extraordinary honor,” Parsons said Friday of the award as per the Dallas Morning News. “It speaks to the work and the position the Cowboys put me in. I think it’s just a true blessing. It just makes you want to go harder.”

This year marks the first time since 2009 that multiple Cowboys defensive players have received first-team All-Pro honors, further proof of the remarkable turnaround by that unit under coordinator Dan Quinn.

Elsewhere on the roster, Bryan Anger earned a place on the second team with 18 votes at the punter position. Tyron Smith received one vote at left tackle.

The Cowboys are one of five teams with three first-team All-Pros. The Packers, Colts, Rams, and Ravens are the others.

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3 Bears named to All-Pro second team

The Bears had three players named to the All-Pro second team in Roquan Smith, Robert Quinn and Jakeem Grant.

The Associated Press announced its All-Pro teams on Friday, where three Bears were among those players recognized for the 2021 season.

While they didn’t have any first-teamers, linebacker Roquan Smith, outside linebacker Robert Quinn and punt returner Jakeem Grant were named to the All-Pro second team. Smith tied for fourth in voting at linebacker, Quinn was third in voting at edge rusher and Grant was second in voting at punt returner.

There’s a huge argument to made for Smith and Quinn both being snubbed as first-team All-Pros, as they were among the best at their position in 2021.

Quinn had the second-most sacks in the NFL, with 18.5, behind only Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt (22.5). Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, who made the first-team over Quinn, had 2.5 sacks less than Quinn in one more game played. Quinn had at least one sack in eight of his last nine games, and he had 0.5 sack in the finale. By comparison, Garrett had just one sack in the final month of the season.

Smith continues to be one of the NFL’s most underrated players. He finished the 2021 season with 163 total tackles (4th in NFL), 12 tackles for loss (4th among linebackers), 27 pass tackle stops (1st), 3.6 missed tackle percentage (2nd) and had a 76.8 passer rating allowed (7th for LBs).

Quinn and Grant were also named to the Pro Bowl roster, where Smith was a notable snub. That’s two second-team All-Pro nods for Smith and still no Pro Bowls.

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