Micah Parsons, Cowboys defense dominate in MNF victory against Chargers

The Dallas Cowboys defense came up big in the final moments to seal a 20-17 win against the Los Angeles Chargers on "Monday Night Football."

The Dallas Cowboys emerged victorious in a hard-fought battle against the Los Angeles Chargers on "Monday Night Football," securing a 20-17 win. Despite a game filled with mistakes and penalty flags, the Cowboys' defense stepped up in the final two minutes to seal the victory. The Chargers, with quarterback Justin Herbert playing through a broken finger, dropped to a 2-3 record, while the Cowboys improved to 4-2.

After a disappointing loss to the San Francisco 49ers last week, the Cowboys desperately needed a win of any kind. Although Monday's victory was far from perfect, it puts the Cowboys at a 4-2 record heading into their bye week. They remain within striking distance of the Philadelphia Eagles and 49ers, who both suffered surprising losses on Sunday.

Last week's performance raised questions about Mike McCarthy's playcalling, Dak Prescott's abilities, and the defense's toughness. The Cowboys had too many penalties, allowed too many big plays, and failed to make enough of their own. However, when it mattered most, they made the necessary plays. They converted three key third downs on a game-winning drive that ended with a Brandon Aubrey field goal. Micah Parsons recorded the Cowboys' first sack of the game, and Stephon Gilmore sealed the victory with an interception.

This win adds to the Cowboys' impressive 10-1 record after a loss over the past two seasons. It shows that they are resilient and capable of bouncing back.

While the passing numbers may not be the focus, Dak Prescott's rushing performance deserves recognition. He had the longest touchdown run of his career (18 yards) in the first quarter, and it was the longest touchdown run by a Cowboys quarterback since 2010. Prescott has not relied on his feet as much in recent years, but he showcased his effectiveness as a runner against the Chargers. With 45 rushing yards in the first five games and 33 in the first half of Monday's game, Prescott may need to utilize his rushing abilities more often.

Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb also had a promising performance, especially in the first half. He recorded 84 receiving yards, surpassing his totals in four of the first five games. Lamb acknowledged that his body language needed improvement after the San Francisco game, and he delivered on the field. All five of his catches in the first two quarters covered 10 or more air yards, showcasing his ability to make big plays.

One positive takeaway from this game is the Cowboys' performance without linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. Markquese Bell, who transitioned from safety to linebacker during training camp, made an impact with a tackle for loss and a pass breakup in the first half. Last season, the Cowboys' run defense suffered when Vander Esch was injured. However, in Monday's game, the Chargers only managed 50 rushing yards on 22 carries, even with Austin Ekeler returning from injury.

Looking ahead, the Cowboys will face the Rams on October 29 at 1 p.m. ET. This upcoming game presents another challenge for the team.

Despite the high expectations for a high-scoring game between the Chargers and Cowboys, it turned out to be a close contest that came down to the wire. All of the Chargers' games this season have been decided by seven points or less.

An eye-popping NextGen stat reveals that Herbert faced pressure on 42% of his dropbacks, the highest rate he has faced this season. The Cowboys' pass rush consistently forced Herbert out of the pocket, resulting in scrambles and big hits on the quarterback.

The pivotal play of the game occurred in the fourth quarter when the Chargers' pass rush caused Herbert to make an errant pass, which was intercepted by Gilmore. This interception effectively ended the game and secured the victory for the Cowboys.

One concerning trend for the Chargers is their struggles with the running game. Despite Ekeler's return from injury, the Chargers' running backs could not find success and only managed a total of 35 yards on the ground. Apart from a 233-yard rushing performance in Week 1, the Chargers have only surpassed 100 rushing yards once this season and combined for just 91 yards in Weeks 2 and 3.