Grades for Cowboys-49ers

Here are the top takeaways from Sunday night’s Cowboys-49ers game, including the highest-graded players for each team:

Cowboys:

–QB Tony Romo attempted one quick pass, while the rest of the Cowboys quarterbacks threw three interceptions and one late TD as they struggled to moved the ball up field in the passing game.

–Guard La’el Collins gave up one sack and two hurries on 25 pass-blocking snaps. Collins' pass-blocking efficiency was the lowest score for the Cowboys' guards who played on Sunday.

–Second-year D-lineman Ben Gardner had the second-highest grade in the game at +3.7, which was boosted +2.7 run defense grade.

Top 5 graded players:

1. DE Ben Gardner (+3.7)

2. P Chris Jones (+2.2)

3. LB Keith A. Smith (+1.9)

4. DB Danny McCray (+1.8)

5. DE Efe Obada (+1.6)

49ers:

–QB Colin Kaepernick only attempted five passes with two completions; Kaepernick was unable to complete a pass while under pressure.

–LB NaVorro Bowman played three snaps in his return from his injury suffered in the 2013 season's NFC championship game. In those three snaps he had two defensive stops.

–First-round rookie D-lineman Arik Armstead was a handful for the backup Cowboys offensive line. He recorded three hurries and was able to cause problems in the running game, even though he only had one assist.

Top 5 graded players:

1. DB Dontae Johnson (+4.3)

2. DL Arik Armstead (+3.1)

3. DT Garrison Smith (+2.9)

4. DT Mike Purcell (+2.5)

5. LB Desmond Bishop (+2.2)