INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The Dallas Cowboys emerged victorious in a nail-biting match against the Los Angeles Chargers, with a final score of 20-17. It wasn’t a pretty win, but in the NFL, a win is a win. Just ask the Philadelphia Eagles, who suffered their first loss of the season to the New York Jets. Or the San Francisco 49ers, who went from dominating the Cowboys to losing to the Cleveland Browns in just one week. So, in the grand scheme of things, the Cowboys can be satisfied with their 4-2 record going into their bye week. They sit one game behind the Eagles in the NFC East and one game behind the 5-1 Niners, Lions, and Eagles for the best record in the NFC. Not bad for a team coming off a humiliating loss to the 49ers just eight days ago.
Head coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged that the Cowboys did just enough to secure the victory and commended his team for displaying grit. And indeed, they had to overcome various obstacles to come out on top. The Cowboys started slow, falling behind 7-0 early on. They also gave up a 17-10 lead with just over 7 minutes left in the game due to a mishap on a punt recovery. Additionally, despite facing the 31st-ranked NFL defense and the league’s worst pass defense, the Cowboys managed to score only 20 points. However, this win was crucial for their confidence and momentum, as they couldn’t afford to lose two consecutive games heading into their bye week.
One of the key contributors to the victory was rookie kicker Brandon Aubrey, who remained perfect for the season by making his 15th and 16th consecutive field goals. His 39-yard field goal with 2:19 left on the clock proved to be the game-winning kick. Quarterback Dak Prescott praised Aubrey, likening him to butter due to his smooth kicking motion. Prescott himself played a crucial role, accounting for two touchdowns and leading the team to victory. He scored an 18-yard rushing touchdown, the longest of his career, and broke a 10-10 tie in the fourth quarter with a beautifully executed 2-yard touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks.
The defense also stepped up, despite missing key players like Leighton Vander Esch. Rookie linebacker Micah Parsons recorded the team’s first sack of Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, setting up a crucial third-and-10 play that resulted in an interception by Stephon Gilmore to seal the victory. Markquese Bell, a safety who played as a linebacker, also made significant contributions, finishing the game with seven tackles and one pass defensed.
The defense, which had been torched by the 49ers in their previous game, redeemed themselves by holding the Chargers’ fifth-ranked offense to just 272 yards and a mere 53 yards rushing. They managed to contain Herbert and force him into scrambling situations, limiting his effectiveness. Holding an NFL offense to just 17 points gave the Cowboys a real chance to win, especially since it was their closest game of the season so far.
The victory was not without its share of controversy, as the officials made questionable calls, including ruling no fair catch interference when a Cowboys player was run over. However, the Cowboys managed to overcome these obstacles and grind out a win. For Prescott, this close game was a reminder that the NFL is unpredictable, and teams need to believe in themselves and finish games on their own terms. He acknowledged the importance of the win and expressed gratitude to the defense for their game-changing turnover.
This win marks Prescott’s 20th game-winning drive, putting him just four drives behind Tony Romo’s franchise record. The Cowboys can now take a well-deserved break during their bye week, knowing that they have built a solid foundation for the rest of the season.
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