Cowboys vs. Chargers: ‘Must’ Win
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After last weeks defeat, the bye week on the horizon and the tough, late season schedule, the Dallas Cowboys came into week 6 needing to win this game. The Chargers sat at 2-2, coming off their bye week, which allowed for some of their star players including Austin Ekeler and Joey Bosa to recover from their injuries. The Cowboys however, were coming off what could be described as the opposite of a bye week – a game against the San Francisco 49ers. Prior to Sunday, over the last 20 games, teams are 1-19 the game after facing the 49ers. However, the Dallas Cowboys record after a loss, was an almost equally impressive 9-1 over the last two seasons. Something had to give.
The expectation for this game at Sofi Stadium was that the Dallas Cowboys would come out the blocks, landing early blows, while the team coming off the bye, could be slightly lacklustre. The Cowboys went three and out. The home team went 42 yards from 5 plays in 2:23. 7-0 in under 5 minutes. Dak Prescott then decided to become a football player again.
Prescott, who’s injury plagued last few seasons – including a horrific ankle injury - has found himself moulding into a pocket passer, as opposed to a dual threat QB. Although I still believe Dak is a top 8 QB when limited to the pocket, when he is allowed to use his legs, he becomes top 5. When he is in the fight, scrambling, extending, making instinctive decisions, he feels the game so much better. And this is what happened on the next drive. Number 4 dealt the ball to last weeks ‘diva’ wide receiver, Ceedee Lamb, twice in a row for 11 yards and 23 yards. A few short passes and handing the ball off to Tony Pollard, saw them creep close to the redzone. The Cowboys QB, facing 3rd & 5, then scrambled for 4 yards to leave a 4th and short, which ultimately helped make up coach McCarthy’s mind. A read-option play then saw Prescott keep the ball, split the end and the safety and go 18 yards for his first rushing touchdown of the season. This early drive led to Prescott running the ball, a season high, 7 times for 40 yards at an average of 5.7 yards per carry. If the Cowboys are going to do anything in the post-season, they are going to need a lot more of this from number 4.
The game was then a low scoring, tight affair, leading into the fourth quarter. Prescott then threw a touchdown to Brandin Cooks – who flashed more in this game, than any other – after driving 75 yards in 8 plays, to put the Cowboys 7 points clear. What followed, was chaos. The Dallas defence forced a three and out from Justin Herbert, which resulted in a punt. Kavonte Turpin, the Cowboys punt returner, then called for a fair catch, before being knocked over by his teammate who was being pushed into him by a Chargers gunner. This apparently, is legal, as long as it is during active blocking. So, you’re not allowed to just push a blocker into the returner, but if you are engaged in a block, you can? I don’t get it. But in a game where the flags had more yards than the two, star running backs, the refs proceeded to miss a clear hands to the face during this ‘engaged’ block. The flags are a story for another time.
The Chargers recovered their own punt after a Cowboys player touched the ball first and proceeded to put 7 up and tie the game. Prescott and co. then went 54 yards in 14 plays, taking 4:52 off the clock, making the Chargers burn all three timeouts. The drive only ended with a field goal, however. Justin Herbert needed to drive just half the field for a game tying field goal opportunity. 1st & 10, flag. 1st & 5, 3-yard scramble. 2nd & 2, welcome Micah Parsons. On a night where Parsons was somewhat limited, to the effect he could have on the game, generating pressures but not quite getting home, like all big-time players, he stepped up in the biggest moment of the game. Sack! Veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore then sealed the game with an interception and the Dallas D fulfilled their end of the deal once again.
The Cowboys now sit at 4-2 heading into the bye. The Rams await in week 8. And then a clash - that could go a long way in deciding who win the NFC East – against the Philadelphia Eagles. Still a lot for the Cowboys to brush up on, if they are to become more consistent and put their name back in the mix as a Superbowl contender, but probably about where we expected to be at the bye, even if not in the way we thought.