49ers-Cowboys final score: Brutal all-around day at Levi’s Stadium

The San Francisco 49ers streak of close losses came to an end in Week 7, and it ended in a big way. The Dallas Cowboys came to town on Dwight Clark Day and had no trouble running roughshod all over the 49ers. The 49ers lost 40-10 and dropped to 0-7 on the season.

The football was atrocious, but that wasn’t even the worst part of the day. The 49ers honored Dwight Clark with Dwight Clark Day. It was cool seeing all the ex-49ers on hand to honor the legendary wide receiver. They had a cool tribute video, and Joe Montana expressed his feelings for Clark. Then he pointed up to Clark in a suite, and Clark proceeded to say some words for the fans.

And honestly, it was brutal. ALS hits quickly, and it costs individuals voluntary motor control. Clark can still stand up and talk, but you could see how it has already impacted him. He speaks slower than previously, and he said at one point how he was glad the York family got Clark’s old teammates together, “so I could see them one more time.” I don’t know what his near future holds, but he recognizes things are not good. And it was just so sad to watch.

There was of course football to play around it. The 49ers managed a three-and-out on the Cowboys first defensive series. Things looked good, but then the Cowboys’ special teams stripped punt returner Trent Taylor and recovered the ball at the 49ers 20. Three rushes later, Ezekiel Elliott had put the Cowboys up 7-0. The 49ers followed up with a three-and-out, and seven plays later, Dallas scored again to go up 14-0.

The Cowboys added another touchdown, but down 20-3, the 49ers forced a Cowboys punt with 4:16 left in the second quarter. The 49ers drove down to the Cowboys five yard line, only to have Beathard stripped on a pass attempt. Dallas recovered, and that was effectively it for the 49ers. Things just went south in a hurry.

Blame can be spread all around. On defense, the run defense and secondary were all atrocious. Rashard Robinson had an abysmal game, although the pass interference call early in the game was nonsense in my opinion. But he had his struggles.

On offense, the offensive line was awful. C.J. Beathard got beat up all game. Some of the fault lies with the line, some falls with Beathard. He had some accuracy issues at time as well, finishing the game 22 of 38 for 235 yards. He also had 30 rushing yards, including one rush for a touchdown.

On the injury front, Reuben Foster left with a rib injury in the second half. He went down at one point and missed a play. He returned only to leave again after a Cowboys touchdown run. Additionally, Trent Brown suffered a concussion and will have to get through the protocol this week.

Up next - @ Philadelphia Eagles

Things do not get any easier in Week 8. The 49ers travel to face the Eagles, and while the Eagles will be coming off a short week after Monday Night Football tomorrow, it’s hard to see it being that big a deal. Carson Wentz is on fire this season, and considering how the 49ers defense played today, I can’t imagine next week ends well.