Inglewood, Calif. – In a thrilling Monday night showdown, the Dallas Cowboys clinched a 20-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, thanks to rookie Brandon Aubrey’s 39-yard field goal with a mere 2 minutes and 19 seconds left on the clock. The game was a heart-pounding battle, and Stephon Gilmore’s crucial interception put the seal on the Cowboys’ triumph.
Quarterback Dak Prescott showcased his prowess, completing 21 of 30 passes for a total of 272 yards, including one touchdown pass. In addition to his impressive passing game, Prescott rushed for a significant 40 yards and secured a touchdown on the ground. The Cowboys’ offensive firepower was further enhanced with Brandin Cooks, who caught a touchdown pass, and CeeDee Lamb, who made an impressive seven receptions for a total of 117 yards. However, Tony Pollard, while influential in the passing game with six catches for 80 yards, faced some challenges on the ground, managing just 30 yards on 15 carries.
On the opposing side, the Chargers’ Justin Herbert connected on 22 of 37 passes, amassing 227 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He found a reliable target in Keenan Allen, who recorded seven catches for 85 yards and scored one touchdown, while Gerald Everett also made a significant contribution with a touchdown reception. Austin Ekeler, who had been sidelined for the previous three games with an ankle injury, faced some difficulties, gaining only 27 yards on 14 carries.
Aubrey, the Cowboys’ rookie kicker, demonstrated his precision by successfully converting two field goals, maintaining a perfect record of 16-for-16 this season. Aubrey’s 39-yard field goal was the tiebreaker, and Stephon Gilmore seized the moment with an interception of Justin Herbert at the Los Angeles 33-yard line, just 1 minute and 22 seconds before the game’s conclusion.
The game was marked by a significant storyline, as it was the first matchup against the Cowboys for Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Moore had served in the same role for the Dallas Cowboys during the previous four seasons. In an interesting twist, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy assumed the role of running the offense and calling plays this season.
One of the game’s turning points occurred in the fourth quarter when the Cowboys faced a third-and-11 situation from their own 24-yard line. Dak Prescott connected on a short pass that Tony Pollard turned into a spectacular 60-yard gain. This critical play was due in part to Chargers cornerback Michael Davis missing a tackle at the Dallas 40-yard line. Pollard was finally brought down at the Los Angeles 16-yard line by Asante Samuel Jr. Four plays later, Prescott capitalized on the opportunity, connecting with Brandin Cooks on a 2-yard scoring pass to give the Cowboys a 17-10 lead with 11 minutes and 19 seconds remaining in the game.
In the same quarter, Justin Herbert responded with a 1-yard scoring pass to Gerald Everett, leveling the score at 17-17 with just 7 minutes and 11 seconds left.
The Chargers initiated the scoring on their first possession, as Justin Herbert executed a 1-yard scoring pass to Keenan Allen. Dallas swiftly countered, with Dak Prescott keeping the ball on fourth-and-1 and running 18 yards for a touchdown, making the score 7-7 with 6 minutes and 21 seconds left in the opening quarter.
The first half concluded with the Cowboys in the lead, 10-7, courtesy of Aubrey’s 32-yard field goal as the clock expired. The Chargers retaliated with a 24-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker, knotting the score at 10-10 with just 1 minute and 8 seconds left in the third quarter.
The Dallas Cowboys’ victory showcased their resilience and strong offensive performances, securing their record at 4-2, while the Los Angeles Chargers, now at 2-3, will seek to regroup in the face of a tough battle.
