Dallas Cowboys Report Card: Passing Grades in 'Must-Win' at Los Angeles Chargers
The Dallas Cowboys emerged from SoFi Stadium with a 20-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers as they will enter their bye week sitting nicely at 4-2.
In a game that was overrun by penalties and oddities, the Cowboys overcame the self-inflicted wounds as Dak Prescott and the "Texas Coast Offense" showed signs of life. Dallas' quarterback led a 16-play, 54-yard drive late in the fourth quarter that ended in a Brandon Aubrey field goal that would ultimately be the game-winner.
With the game on the line, Micah Parsons, stepped up with a crucial sack on second down. On the following play, Stephon Gilmore intercepted Justin Herbert to end the game.
Before the clash, we highlighted five keys to win for the Cowboys as they looked to bounce back from the San Francisco 49ers loss. So, how did they fare? What are our grades?
1. Get Dak Prescott in rhythm: BIG PASS After the initial three-and-out to start the game, Dak and the offense got rolling, and Prescott would end the first half going 15 of 20 for 161 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Dak led four drives of 11+ plays as the offensive rhythm got going through the air, with his fourth-quarter drive leading to Aubrey's 39-yard field goal.
Prescott would end his night completing 21 of his 30 passes for 272 yards while he also had seven rushing attempts for 40 yards and a touchdown. He outplayed Herbert and looked good doing it.
2. Convert third downs: PASS ... SORT OF While the numbers don't look great, as Dallas only converted 5 of 13 third downs, but there is more to the stat than meets the eye.
It was WHEN Prescott and the offense picked them up. In the fourth quarter, Prescott and Tony Pollard converted a 3rd-and-11 with a 60-yard catch and run.
On the following offensive drive, Prescott hit CeeDee Lamb on a third-and-six for 18 yards, and three plays later, he hit Brandin Cooks for an 11-yard gain on a third-and-nine to move the ball to the Chargers' 21-yard line.
Two crucial big third downs where picked up that resulted in Aubrey's game-winning field goal.
Dak Prescott was at his best in the 20-17 win over the Chargers.
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3. Defense to clamp Chargers receivers: PASS ... JUST BARELY After a good first half that saw Josh Palmer (2 receptions, 37 yards) and Keenan Allen (3 receptions, 12 yards) being kept in check, the Cowboys' defense couldn't keep them clamped after halftime.
Allen would finish with seven catches for 85 yards, and Palmer had four catches for 60 yards. But besides those two, running back Austin Ekeler (four catches, 35 yards) was the next best.
4. Limit turnovers: BIG PASS Pre-game, we asked for zero turnovers, and we got it (if you don't count the muffed punt by Jalen Tolbert, but we are giving him a pass).
Prescott was superb at taking care of the football after his three interceptions against the 49ers, rarely putting the ball in harm's way.
Complementary football is how Dallas will win games, and when Prescott plays the way he did against the Chargers, the Cowboys will win more than they lose.
5. Limit the laundry: BIG FAIL Last week, the Cowboys committed six penalties against the 49ers, and they again had a basket full of laundry in L.A. Dallas had 11 penalties for 85 yards, and several pre-snap penalties again cost the Cowboys multiple times.
This issue needs to get fixed ASAP; otherwise, it will cost the Cowboys several games down the stretch.
Given Dallas' remaining schedule, they can't afford to beat themselves, and they tried their best against the Chargers. Thankfully, the Cowboys overcame the absurd amount of penalties and escaped with a win.
"It was a bumpy game out there,'' said coach Mike McCarthy, ultimately proud of his team showing "resilience.'' ... "A lot of resetting your jaw and just keep fighting."
All in all, the Cowboys did what they had to do, and while they didn't ace this test, they got a win and a much-needed pass mark ... just barely.
