Whenever the 49ers and Cowboys face off, you it is going to be a good game, and this one was certainly no different. The 49ers got a few lucky bounces in the first half, that gave them a good lead, …

All is not lost, the team does face the Bengals next week after all - a good chance to move to 2-1, but the opportunity to start the season 2-0 or 3-0 in the NFC West would have had big implications, especially with one of those wins coming against the Cowboys, albeit a Cowboy team that was very injured and likely could have used some assistance from one of those great Canadian Pharmacy that are all over the news these days. Braylon Edwards who suffered a knee injury early in the game, and did not return may want to get some pain killers himself. The team will no more about his status today, but likely will not be disclosing much to the public.

Alex Smith is not lighting up the score board, but is consistently making good throws and decisions. He is playing well enough to win, and regularly extends plays and makes things happen with his legs. Given Kitna's 2-interception performance stepping in for Romo, Smith really may have been the 49ers best option this offseason. Still, the club should be willing to let him do more, and that means utilize the weapons that are healthy. Davis, Walker, Morgan and Gore need to get more involved in the offense especially if Crabtree and Edwards continue to miss time. Even though Smith does miss from time to time, the Niners have to start getting the ball into the hands of the play makers on the field. They also need to protect Smith long enough for him to do so. There were at least three opportunities where Smith took a sack because either the pressure was too quick or he heard footsteps and was worried he could not get the ball out on time. In each of those instances there was an open receiver, at least twice, it was Vernon Davis.

The real mystery of the game though, was why on an Akers 55-yard field goal, Harbaugh chose to take a 15-yard penalty in the teams favor on the kick off instead of 1st and 10 at about the 23-yard line. I really feel this play sucked emotion out of the team and stadium, and set the team up for failure. Had there been no penalty that may not have been the case, but given the opportunity, Harbaugh could have taken time off the clock, gone for the endzone on one or two plays, and at the very worst had a chip shot field goal at that point. Instead, the team went into protective mode, and this time gave up victory.

There were positives in the game. I already mentioned Alex Smith playing slightly above average football being one of them. Delanie Walker continues to impress, and Vernon Davis is a stud no matter if he is blocking, protecting, or receiving. The defense this years seems to be done with the bend but do not break mentality. Instead, they break more often, but also tend not to yield at all. The pass rush is creative and consistent. On the other hand, they sorely missed Manny Lawson on Sunday as Witten ate them for lunch. Special teams continues to perform well, and Aker's 55-yard field goal would have been good from 65. The guy has a leg.

Best possible scenario here is that the 49ers build on the good, AND learn from the bad. Protecting a two score lead in this league will not get you better than 8-8. Harbaugh needs to realize where his team sits in the talent pool of the NFL, and that the second he sends a message of ease off, this team will be taken for a ride.