In yet another game that was determined in the final two minutes, the Chargers fell to the Cowboys on Monday night, 20-17.
To recap Week 6, here is everything you need to know:
It was over when...
Justin Herbert was picked off by Stephon Gilmore.
Game notes
- Justin Herbert was only sacked once but the Cowboys had a 47.6% pressure rate.
- The Chargers committed nine penalties, three of which resulted in first downs, including an illegal contact called on Ja’Sir Taylor Michael Davis on 3rd-and-18 in the fourth quarter.
- On the same drive as when the penalty occurred, the Chargers allowed two other third-down conversions after it.
- The Chargers held Tony Pollard to two yards per carry. On the flip side, Austin Ekeler only averaged 1.9 YPC.
3 stars of the game
- WR Keenan Allen: 7 catches, 85 yards, touchdown
- DT Morgan Fox: 2 sacks
- Defensive line: Holding Tony Pollard to two yards per carry
Quick Hits
- The Chargers’ offensive line could not withstand the constant pressure from the Cowboys’ defensive line, but it’s not fair to point to that as the primary offensive woes.
- Instead, Justin Herbert deserves a fair amount of the blame. While he was in the face of pressure for most of the night, Herbert still had a handful of missed throws, throws that are typically automatic for him.
- Herbert finished the game 22-of-37 passing for 227 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
- The blocking did Herbert no favors and the running game, as well. Austin Ekeler had nowhere to go, finishing with 14 carries for 27 yards (1.9 YPC).
- Keenan Allen led the receivers with 85 yards and a score on seven grabs. Joshua Palmer finished with four catches for 60 yards. Quentin Johnston failed to record a reception.
- It’s been five games and Johnston has yet to be a factor in the offense.
- Credit to the Chargers defensive line for sacking Dak Prescott five times and holding Tony Pollard to 30 yards on 15 carries (2.0 YPC).
- CeeDee Lamb hadn’t had a big game since Week 2 against the Jets. Facing a vulnerable Chargers secondary, Lamb delivered. He finished with seven catches on all of his targets for 113 yards.
- When they weren’t getting beat in coverage or blowing assignments, they were committing costly penalties. There was Ja’Sir Taylor and Michael Davis’ illegal contact on 3rd-and-19. Derwin James also had two 15-yard personal fouls.
- The defense must find ways to get off the field in third and long situations. It has been the bone-headed mistakes that have been a consistent pattern all season.
- Despite the penalty, Taylor had a positive moment on special teams when he ran the blocker into the return man on a punt to force a fumble that resulted in a touchdown.
What's next?
The Chargers are on the road, where they will face the Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium next Sunday, Oct. 22 at 1:25 p.m. PT.
