In an exciting “Monday Night Football” clash, the Dallas Cowboys’ defense did plenty when it was crucial to earn a hard-fought 20-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Between miscues and penalty flags, both teams battled hard in the final two minutes.
With quarterback Justin Herbert fighting through a fractured finger, the Chargers dropped to 2-3 on the season, while the Cowboys improved to 4-2.
Cowboys Claw Back After Recent Setbacks
Following a challenging encounter with the San Francisco 49ers last week, the Cowboys were in desperate need of a win, and they got just that. The victory might not have been a masterpiece, but it propels the Cowboys into their bye week with a 4-2 record, still within striking distance of rivals like the Philadelphia Eagles and 49ers, both of whom suffered surprising losses over the weekend.
Dak Prescott’s Dual-Threat Performance
Dak Prescott’s passing numbers may not have been spectacular, but his performance on the floor certainly was.
In the first quarter, Prescott notched the longest touchdown run of his career, covering 18 yards, the longest by a Cowboys QB since 2010. Prescott, known more for his arm than his legs, demonstrated his ability to make plays with his feet, suggesting that he might need to incorporate this aspect of his game more frequently.
CeeDee Lamb Shines on the Offensive Front
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who had expressed a desire to improve body language after an unsatisfactory performance in the San Francisco game, has made a spectacular comeback. He had 84 yards receiving in the first half, surpassing yards in four of the past five games. All of his catches covered 10 feet of air or more, indicating a promising change in his performance.
Defensive Standouts: A Ray of Hope for Cowboys
The Cowboys’ defense faced its fair share of criticism in recent weeks. However, despite a litany of issues such as penalties and big plays allowed, they came through when it mattered most. Key third-down conversions, a game-winning field goal, a crucial sack by Micah Parsons, and a sealing interception by Stephon Gilmore were instrumental in securing the win. The Cowboys have now won 10 of their last 11 games after a loss.
Looking Ahead: Cowboys vs Rams
As the Cowboys head into their bye week, their next challenge awaits in the form of the Los Angeles Rams on October 29th at 1 p.m. ET.
Chargers Struggle in close contest trademark
For the Los Angeles Chargers, it seems that every game this season comes down to the wire, with all of them being decided by seven points or less.
Herbert’s Pressure-Heavy Night
Quarterback Justin Herbert faced relentless pressure throughout the game, being pressured on 42% of his dropbacks, his highest rate this season.
This marked a stark contrast to his earlier performance, where he had the fifth-lowest pressure rate at 25%.
Costly Error Seals Chargers’ Fate
In the critical final moments of the game, a pass rush from the Chargers forced an errant throw from Herbert, landing in the hands of Stephon Gilmore. This game-deciding error effectively ended the Chargers’ hopes for a comeback.
Running Woes Continue for Chargers
The Chargers’ running game continues to be a cause for concern, as running backs struggled to gain any ground, accumulating just 35 total yards. Aside from a standout performance in Week 1, the Chargers have struggled to breach the 100-yard rushing mark this season.
Chargers Face Off Against Chiefs Next
The Chargers’ upcoming challenge is a showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.
In the end, the clash between the Cowboys and Chargers brought thrills, disappointments, and hope for both teams. The Cowboys showcased resilience and defensive fortitude, while the Chargers grapple with offensive struggles and a need to solidify their running game as they face a formidable opponent in the Chiefs.