Inglewood, Calif. – The Dallas Cowboys found themselves on their knees, but not in defeat. Instead, they knelt in gratitude while running down the clock to secure a nail-biting victory against the Los Angeles Chargers, with a final score of Cowboys 20, Chargers 17.
Dallas Cowboys edge past Los Angeles Chargers, 20-17, on Monday Night Football
In a league where any win is a precious commodity, the Cowboys managed to edge past the Chargers in what can only be described as an unconventional victory. The events of Week 6 in the NFL underlined the inherent unpredictability of game outcomes, with even the strongest teams occasionally faltering, as witnessed by the Philadelphia Eagles’ first loss of the season against the New York Jets and the San Francisco 49ers’ abrupt downfall against the Cleveland Browns just a week after they dominated the Cowboys with a 42-10 victory.
All considered, the Cowboys found themselves with a 4-2 record as they approached their bye week, trailing the Eagles in the NFC East by a single game and sitting one game behind the leading 5-1 teams in the NFC, including the Niners, Lions, and Eagles. This position followed their humbling defeat to the 49ers a mere eight days prior.
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) celebrates with his teammates after intercepting a pass during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif.
As the Cowboys enter the seventh week of the season, they do so with the opportunity to rest and regroup. Yet, this victory at SoFi Stadium, though far from a classic performance, ensured they didn’t carry the burden of two consecutive losses into their bye week. It also allowed them to avoid a loss to their former offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore, whom they transitioned away from to grant head coach Mike McCarthy control of the offense and play-calling.
The game proved challenging for the Cowboys, as they had to overcome a sluggish start, trailing 7-0 early on. They also faced the disheartening task of relinquishing a 17-10 lead with just 7:11 left in the game, owing to a chaotic special teams play that gifted the Chargers favorable field position a mere 20 yards from the goal line.
Despite facing the 31st-ranked NFL defense and the league’s poorest pass defense, the Cowboys managed just 20 points, barely enough to secure what veteran defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence referred to as a “crucial win.” The prospect of heading into the bye week on the heels of another loss was a scenario they were determined to avoid.
Notably, their rookie kicker, Brandon Aubrey, displayed his composure by connecting on his 15th and 16th consecutive field goals to initiate his NFL career. The 39-yard field goal in the final 2:19 of the game ultimately sealed the victory. In stark contrast, San Francisco’s rookie kicker Jake Moody missed a 41-yard field goal attempt for a potential game-winning play.
Quarterback Dak Prescott scrambles away from Scott Matlock of the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half at SoFi Stadium on October 16.
Quarterback Dak Prescott, who excels at bouncing back after subpar performances, contributed significantly to the Cowboys’ 11-1 streak since the start of the 2021 season following a loss. Prescott accounted for two touchdowns, one through an 18-yard rushing touchdown, marking the longest of his career. He also orchestrated a crucial 2-yard touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks, breaking the fourth-quarter tie of 10-10.
Prescott displayed his mastery by completing 21 of 30 passes for a season-high 272 yards, with one touchdown, no interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 109.3. Additionally, a clutch scramble and pass to Tony Pollard resulted in a 60-yard gain, catapulting the Cowboys out of a difficult third-and-11 situation and setting the stage for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
The Cowboys’ defense played an instrumental role in securing the victory. Micah Parsons, operating as both a defensive end and linebacker in the absence of Leighton Vander Esch, claimed the team’s first sack against Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert with just 1:29 remaining. This sack set the stage for a pivotal third-and-10 play, leading to Stephon Gilmore‘s interception that prevented last-minute heroics from the Chargers.
Chargers now own a losing record, falling to 2-3 as they prepare to take on the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
Markquese Bell, a safety by trade, adapted admirably to playing 39 snaps (53 percent) at linebacker, tallying seven tackles and one pass defense in Vander Esch’s absence.
The Cowboys’ defense, previously vulnerable to the 49ers’ 170 rushing yards and 400 total yards, demonstrated resilience by limiting the Chargers, ranked fifth in offense, to just 272 yards and a mere 53 rushing yards. The defense efficiently contained Austin Ekeler, holding him to 27 yards on 14 carries. More significantly, it frustrated Herbert, reducing his quarterback rating from 106.3 to 84.0 and compelling him to scramble frequently.
In a game marred by a combined total of 20 penalties called by NFL officials, the Cowboys secured a crucial victory in a close, three-point battle. While the Cowboys had previously secured their wins with significant margins of 40, 20, and 35 points, this game required a gritty, hard-fought effort to emerge victorious.
As Dak Prescott aptly summed up, “That’s the NFL. That’s what the NFL is about: close games, winning the game at the end.” The Cowboys acknowledge the importance of adapting to such scenarios, staying confident, and believing in their ability to close out games on their terms. This hard-fought win reflects the essence of the NFL and provides valuable experience for the Cowboys as they navigate the rest of the season.
The moment Dak Prescott knew he had to turn back the clock and bring back Mississippi State Dak Prescott..
— Ernie (@es3_09) October 17, 2023
Since the brutal ankle injury in 2020, Dak has been hounded by this staff to stay in the pocket, don’t run, take the sack. He had enough of it #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/d8ULkUVtXs
Dak Prescott’s game-winning drive marked his 20th in his career, just four behind Tony Romo’s franchise record of 24. This critical victory sets the stage for a well-deserved break during the bye week.
