All the experts predicted a high-scoring game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Dallas Cowboys. But things turned out differently…

The Dallas Cowboys won 20:17 against the Los Angeles Chargers to close the sixth day of play and improve their record to 4-2. The Chargers stand at a 2-3 record.

Noticeable in the game were the many penalties. The Cowboys conceded eleven penalties for 85 yards, the Chargers nine penalties for 79 yards.

Brawl before the start of the game

At least half an hour before the start of the game, a fierce brawl broke out. Several Cowboys players ran through a warm-up drill by the Chargers, whose players apparently took this as a provocation. The result was a major scuffle in which Cowboys defensive end Dante Fowler threw a punch at Chargers star Austin Ekeler.

The opening phase of the game was also eventful: The Chargers completed their first drive with a touchdown pass from Justin Herbert to Keenan Allen. Dallas was successful on the second drive and took a risk: They played out the fourth attempt so that Dak Prescott reached the end zone for 14 yards. After that, the defenses of both teams took control of the game.

Risky playcalling often unrewarded

With just over two minutes remaining in the half, the Cowboys again chose the risky option. Instead of kicking a sure field goal from the opponent’s 13-yard line, Prescott tried a quarterback sneak – this time without success. It wasn’t until Dallas found themselves in almost the same spot again on the last play before the break that kicker Brandon Aubrey was allowed on the field to give them a 10-7 halftime lead.

In the third period, both teams’ offences continued to produce little, but made life difficult for themselves with an unnecessary number of penalties. The Chargers got into the redzone twice, but could only score once on a field goal and thus ensured the equaliser.

Milestone for Prescott

The game picked up again at the start of the final quarter. Prescott threw a touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks. Remarkably, Prescott became the 30th quarterback in NFL history to throw at least one touchdown pass against all 31 opponents. The Chargers equalised with a touchdown pass from Herbert to Gerald Everett.

After that, the offence struggled again. With 2:19 minutes left, Aubrey’s field goal gave the Cowboys a 20-17 lead. An interception by Herbert, intercepted by Stephon Gilmore, then decided the game. The Chargers star ended up with 227 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Dak Prescott threw for 272 yards and one touchdown each through the air and on the ground.

The Chargers take on the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys have a bye week and then host the Los Angeles Rams.