But before moving on to their next opponent in Los Angeles, an offense led by former Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, the Cowboys will have to take a long hard look in the mirror that has suddenly cracked.
“This is like a gut punch,” McCarthy said. “This is terrible – put any phrase you want. You look at how this season has gone. We're devastated.
“They beat us in all three phases, so we have to acknowledge that. I'm not a tape-burning guy. I think this is terrible. We went through it and We’re going to make sure.’ We know exactly what’s expected of us.
“…I didn't think this would happen. …We just didn't hit the mark today at all. I, guys, I don't think we're going to get that many points from this performance. The important thing for all of us is that Be responsible.
“Take responsibility for what you did tonight and how you played tonight.”
Prescott said he was blindsided not only by the loss, but also by how lopsided it was. Prescott was candid and honest in saying this loss was the biggest gut check he's ever encountered in his eight-year NFL career.
“I didn't see it coming,” he said. “I gave it my all and got punched in the mouth. The Arizona game just a few weeks ago was humiliating, but this might be the most humiliating game I've ever been in.”
The truth is, the Cowboys were never really in a contest, at least offensively, constantly struggling to find a rhythm before things got too far out of hand.
This allowed the 49ers to win by more than 14 minutes in time of possession and convert four early penalties, giving Brock Purdy and Co. extra time on offense and making the most of it. There will be no shortage of items to point out at this week's team meetings in hopes of righting the ship going forward, especially if they are looking to get back on track in the short term.
The 49ers allowed the second-most points in the McCarthy era, trailing only a 49-38 loss to the Cleveland Browns on October 4, 2020. He had one of the league's best defenses heading into Week 5, allowing just 10.3 points per game.
The team suffered four turnovers, a lost fumble by Tony Pollard deep in the 49ers' territory, and three interceptions in the fourth quarter as Prescott tried to get Dallas back into the game, all too small. Too late, Shanahan was ready. all.
The Cowboys have a standard to live up to every week, but that wasn't the case Sunday night against the 49ers.
“We have work to do,” McCarthy said. “I have a lot of work to do and I have a game in eight days. I'm going to spend a lot of time on this game and then move on to the Chargers.”
