INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The Dallas Cowboys pulled out a tough road win in Los Angeles, defeating the Chargers on Monday, 20-17, to improve to 4-2 heading into their bye week.
The win against the Chargers helped ease the pressure off Dak Prescott, who threw three interceptions in the blowout loss to the 49ers.
But Prescott looked like the QB Dallas drafted in 2016, dropping accurate passes and utilizing his running ability, which was evident in Dallas’s first score of the game.
On fourth and one at the Charger’s 18-yard line, Prescott faked handing the ball off to RB Tony Pollard for a QB draw that went for a Cowboys touchdown.
“We talked after last week about not allowing this thing to landslide, and obviously I think a win like this allows you to really close that book,” Prescott said.
There were key moments in the game such as Prescott’s scramble and throwback to the middle of the field to Pollard for a 61-yard gain.
That led to a Cowboys score a couple of plays later on a backpedaling Prescott throw to Wideout Brandon Cooks to give Dallas the lead 17-10 early in the fourth.
But the Chargers, with the help of the Cowboys made key plays such as what officials called a muffed punt.
Special team player Jalen Tolbert thought the Cowboys had touched the ball and went after the ball but could not come up with it.
Officials explained that the Cowboys never touched or interfered with the ball until Tolbert touched it.
The muffed punt was recovered by the Chargers in Cowboys territory.
On the ensuing play, Cowboys Cornerback Stephen Gilmore was called for pass interference, which put the Chargers at the Cowboys’ four-yard line.
A few plays later, Herbert threw a touchdown to tight end Gerald Everett on a fake handoff to tie the game at 17.
The Cowboys got the ball back with plenty of time left on the clock and drove the ball downfield to set up what would be the game-winning field goal by kicker Brandon Aubrey.
The Cowboys’ defense pressured Herbert all game and finally got their first sack of the game and their first turnover after Herbert threw an interception to Gilmore.
That sealed the game for the Cowboys.
Prescott finished the game completing 21-30 passes for 272 yards and a pair of touchdowns and Star wideout Cee Dee Lamb finished with seven receptions for 117 yards.
Next up, the Cowboys host the L.A. Rams on Oct. 29.
Travis Tyler