Dallas Cowboys: No thanks given in loss to Chargers, 28-6
The Dallas Cowboys offense sputtered once again, this time on Thanksgiving day losing to the Los Angeles Chargers 28-6 in a pivotal matchup.
Coming off of two straight losses, the Dallas Cowboys were hoping to rebound on Thursday in their annual Thanksgiving day game, this time against the 4-6 Los Angeles Chargers. And just like their matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday, Dallas appeared to have a chance to win the game through the first half. But just like it was versus Philly, everything fell apart for America’s Team after halftime.
The Cowboys were able to keep the game close through the first two quarters, trailing the Chargers 3-0 at halftime. In the second half, Los Angeles’s offense carved the Dallas defense like a Thanksgiving turkey, scoring 25 points and defeating the Cowboys 28-6.
Without running back Ezekiel Elliott, who is currently suspended, the Cowboys offense has struggled to find it’s identity. In fact, Dallas set a franchise record going 10 straight quarters without a touchdown, breaking that streak with a rushing score by running back Rod Smith in the final frame of this holiday matchup.
Quarterback Dak Prescott continues to string together terrible performances without Elliott in the backfield. Against the Chargers, Prescott completed 20 of his 27 passes for 179 yards and two interceptions. One of those picks went the other way for a defensive touchdown.
Despite his 74% completion rate, Prescott’s passes were mostly check-downs or safer, shorter throws for minimal gains. The Cowboys offense simply wasn’t able to get enough chunk plays against the Chargers defense.
On the ground, Rod Smith rushed for 41 yards on nine carries and scored the first touchdown of his three-year career. Veteran running back Alfred Morris also had nine rushing attempts, resulting in 36 yards.
Tight end Jason Witten lead the Cowboys with seven receptions for 44 yards. Wide receiver Terrance Williams posted 54 yards on his four catches. And the team’s top receiver, Dez Bryant, was limited to three receptions for 37 yards.
The Dallas defense allowed Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers to throw for 434 yards and three scores, while completing an amazing 27 of his 33 passes. Rivers’ favorite target was wide receiver Keenan Allen, who burned the Cowboys secondary to the tune of 11 receptions for 172 yards and a touchdown.
The Cowboys defense failed to recorded a single sack or a takeaway from the Chargers offense. Linebacker Jaylon Smith led Dallas with eight combined tackles in the loss.
Next: Dallas Cowboys playoff fate is still very much alive
Now saddled with a three-game losing streak, the 5-6 Dallas Cowboys will next host their divisional rivals, the 4-6 Washington Redskins, in AT&T Stadium for Thursday Night Football on November 30th at 7:25 p.m. CT.