Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott told Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady they’d meet again in the playoffs after a loss in Week 1 of the season. 18 weeks later the Cowboys had their chance to make that statement come true. A loss to the San Francisco 49ers, when the time ran out as they drove for a chance at a winning touchdown ended that chance Sunday.
Although Dallas had a chance on the final drive, the game wasn’t even as competitive as the final score indicated. Conservative play calling from Kyle Shanahan, like kicking a field goal on fourth-and-one from the Cowboys 22 yard-line, along with mistakes from Jimmy Garoppolo allowed the Cowboys to stay in a game in which they were physically dominated.
The season is now over, but great teams learn from the most devastating defeats. Here are some lessons learned from the playoff loss to the 49ers.