The Cowboys faced the Chargers on October 16 in Week 6 of the 2023 NFL season. Here are takeaways and highlights from the game.
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Final Score: Cowboys 20, Chargers 17
Following arguably the worst performance of his career against the 49ers, Dak Prescott called Monday night’s game against the Chargers a “must-win,” and he delivered.
The Chargers struck early on a Justin Herbert touchdown pass to Keenan Allen, giving them a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. However, the Cowboys responded with a scoring drive of their own. Facing fourth-and-1 from the Chargers’ 18-yard line, Prescott kept it himself and surged into the end zone for the longest rushing touchdown of his career.
After exchanging field goals over the next two quarters, the Cowboys possessed the ball at the start of the fourth quarter with the score tied at 10. On the first play of the final frame, Prescott escaped a collapsing pocket and connected with running back Tony Pollard, who made a Chargers defender miss and raced down the field for a 60-yard gain. Shortly after Prescott delivered a 15-yard strike to CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks hauled in his first touchdown catch as a Cowboy, giving Dallas a 17-10 lead with 11:19 remaining.
Los Angeles responded with a touchdown drive of its own, which was set up by a controversial muffed punt. Cowboys punt returner Jalen Tolbert signaled for a fair catch but failed to control the punt after a teammate was pushed into him by Chargers defensive back Ja’Sir Taylor. Chargers linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga recovered the fumble at the Cowboys’ 20-yard line, giving the Bolts another chance with a short field. Four plays later, Herbert connected with receiver Gerald Everett for a touchdown, which tied the game at 17 apiece.
The Cowboys regained the lead on their next possession when kicker Brandon Aubrey drilled a 39-yard field goal with 2:19 left in the contest.
Herbert and the Chargers had a final chance to win or send the game into overtime. However, a Stephon Gilmore interception with 1:29 remaining ended any shot of a comeback for Los Angeles.
The Cowboys improved to 4-2 on the season and remain on the heels of the 5-1 Eagles in the NFC East. The Chargers dropped to 2-3 and will need to string some wins together if they hope to stay alive in the AFC West, especially as the 5-1 Chiefs quickly run away with the division.
Highlights
.@Dak off to the races 🏁
📺: ESPN & NFL+ ➡️ https://t.co/yLMhJNUx90 pic.twitter.com/pOlagoR1PZ
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) October 17, 2023
Justin Herbert to Justin Herbert for a 1st down pic.twitter.com/eYCzimQec0
— alex (@highlightheaven) October 17, 2023
Tony Pollard goes 60 YARDS on the first play of the 4th quarter!
📺: #DALvsLAC on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/cKH8Z3jhNB pic.twitter.com/2VksnB1NFe— NFL (@NFL) October 17, 2023
Go up and get it 😤
📺: ESPN & NFL+ ➡️ https://t.co/yLMhJNTZjs pic.twitter.com/EplKiiqSsS
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) October 17, 2023
Looking Forward
The Cowboys will enjoy a bye in Week 7. When they return to action on Oct. 29, Dallas will face the other team from Los Angeles – this time at home. The Rams beat the Cardinals 26-9 in Week 6 and will play the Steelers at home next week.
The Chargers will travel to Kansas City for just their second divisional matchup of the season. Despite having the same divisional record (1-0), the Chiefs, who just beat the Broncos 19-8, currently own a 2.5-game lead over the Chargers in the AFC West.
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