Double case of the road blues for the Dallas Cowboys?

Could the Dallas Cowboys have a case of back-to-back road blues on Sunday when they take on the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi stadium? No, I am not talking about the blue jerseys the Cowboys are about to wear in back-to-back games for the first time since I can remember.

I am talking about the Cowboys once again going on the road in this young season and facing a tough opponent who is favored. We can throw out the mystique these blue jerseys carry and in case you were wondering, I am only partially superstitious when it comes to the blue jersey curse.

As wounded as the Cowboys appear, their opponent is equally as hindered in their quest to start off their season undefeated. Sure the Cowboys are going to be without their best pass rusher and quite possibly their second one as well. Their starting right tackle is gone and in his place is second-year undrafted free agent Terence Steele. The Cowboys’ secondary is also banged up and questions will lead up to game time about their availability.

The Dallas Cowboys must avoid going 0-2 in road games at the start of season

Even with all of that, I am quite confident about their chances of entering California and coming out with a win. Last season the Chargers boasted one of the best secondaries in the entire league yet were in the lower half in run defense. New head coach and defensive guru Brandon Staley has his work cut out for him if he wants the Chargers to resemble anything like his Rams defense of last season.

The Chargers gave up plenty of yards to the Washington Football Team last week. Los Angeles is also banged up in the secondary so I expect the Cowboys to have a balanced attack. Hopefully, it quiets the “balanced offense” critics.

Just for the record, I want the Cowboys to exploit the defense they play. I could care less about how many passes or runs they come out of the game with. Even in a ball-control offense, short quick passes that keep the clock going are fine by me. The only statistical measurement that matters is the win/loss column.

Chargers’ defensive end Joey Bosa figures to give Cowboys’ right tackle Terrence Steele all he can handle but I am actually hopeful for this matchup. Steele struggles with speed rushers and this matchup is actually favorable for Steele in regards to the type of defensive end Bosa is.

Now, don’t get me wrong, Steele cannot handle Bosa alone all game and I figure the Cowboys will at least give him a chip before sending their back, receiver, or tight end on a route. I am just saying there will be a few plays where Steele handles Bosa alone and it might make you raise your eyebrow.

The Chargers secondary will be missing a few key pieces so I also expect quarterback Dak Prescott to check into some favorable pass plays and exploit this secondary. If both run and pass are working for the Cowboys, I would think a ball-control type of game could benefit the team.

The Cowboys’ defense will have their work cut out for them as Chargers’ rookie tackle Rashawn Slater appears to be the real deal. He stymied every Washington defensive lineman last week and according to PFF, he gave up zero pressures on pass plays just like Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith.

The rest of the line will be fair game as the Chargers had pass protection troubles all of last season. It doesn’t help that right tackle Bryan Bulaga has been added to the injured reserve list for Los Angeles. Backup on backup crime will be a key component in Sunday’s contest.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert looked great against Washington’s supposed All World defense but so did New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. Protection will be key for both players and it could come down to who protects the quarterback best.

Last week, I predicted that the Cowboys would beat Tampa Bay by a score of 34-30. If Dallas had scored a touchdown on their last possession instead of kicking that field goal, the score would have been 33-29 with under two minutes to play.

In that situation, a field goal wouldn’t have done Tampa any good so that could have been the final score. This week is very tricky. The last time the Cowboys beat the Chargers, the team was in San Diego and then Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe defeated Chargers quarterback Drew Brees by a score of 28-24 in San Diego. Now in Los Angeles, I am unsure of what to expect.

If you remember last year’s game against the Cleveland Browns, the Cowboys started off the game hot and it appeared as if they were going to run them out of Texas. Then the Cowboys decided to turn the ball over and it almost turned into a blowout the other way around. That is exactly the type of team I see when I look a the Chargers and that is exactly the type of game this can turn into if the Cowboys do not secure the football.

My initial reaction was this game is going to be a shootout but I also expect a heavy dose of Ezekiel Elliott. Chargers wideouts Keenan Allen and Mike Williams will do damage but I expect Chargers running back Austin Ekeler to hurt Dallas the most with his pass-catching ability out of the backfield.

I am going with my first instinct and expect a shootout to turn in the Cowboys’ favor. My prediction is the Cowboys will defeat the Los Angeles Chargers for the first time in 16 years by a score of 38-34.

Dak Prescott will throw for over 300 yards and Ezekiel Elliott will have over 125 rush yards and one touchdown. If you are looking for a bold take get ready for a whopper. Cowboys right tackle Terrence Steele will not give up a sack. How is that for going out on a limb?

The defense will sack Justin Herbert twice and continue their impressive yet unrealized turnover streak. Cowboys safety Malik Hooker will get his first Cowboys interception. Enjoy the game and let’s hear those predictions!