The 49ers offense got off to a good start on Sunday afternoon against the Cowboys.
They drove 63 yards in nine plays for a touchdown on their first drive and went 80 yards in 12 plays for another score in the first quarter while converting six third downs a week after missing on their first 10 against the Seahawks. Things went in the other direction from that point.
The 49ers gained 152 yards the rest of the day, converted 2-of-8 third downs and Blaine Gabbert threw a key interception in the fourth quarter when he underthrew Torrey Smith. Smith, who caught his only pass of the day short of the sticks on a fourth down later in the fourth, reacted by throwing his helmet on the sideline. Frustration wasn’t coach Chip Kelly’s reaction to Gabbert’s overall effort on the day, however.
“I thought Blaine played well today, to be honest with you,” Kelly said, via the Sacramento Bee. “Besides that one throw.”
Gabbert ended the day 16-of-23 for 196 yards and added 27 yards on 12 rushes. Given Kelly’s response on Sunday and his comments last week, it doesn’t seem there will be any move to see if Colin Kaepernick can do more with the offense.