ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys needed any kind of win. It didn’t need to be pretty. It didn’t need to be dominating. They just needed a win Thursday. They got it by beating the Los Angeles Chargers 13-30. With it, they ended a miserable four-game losing streak in which they were outscored 134-72. With it, they had a veritable offensive explosion (30 points) after averaging no more than fifteen points in their previous three games. With it, the defense was able to force one turnover that resulted in a 97 yard touchdown return and sacked Philip Rivers four times.
Most importantly, with it, the Cowboys kept their playoff chances alive, improving to 6-5.
“You’re talking to a dreamer, so yes,” owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. “It’s not hard for me to look at the way we played, the way we answered the bell, the way we answered the bell in the second half with the players we got. … Any of these teams in this league can beat you, but I think we’ve got a good chance as I look ahead certainly no further than our next ballgame. But we’ve got a good chance to be better after this game.”
A late touchdown to end the first half woke up the Cowboys from their slumber. With just 16 seconds left in the first half, Dak Prescott found Jason Witten open in the end zone to give the Cowboys a 20 to 7 lead heading into halftime. It was Witten’s first touchdown reception since Nov. 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Cowboys in the second half kept their foot on the gas as they extended their lead. With 3:09 left in the 3rd, back up HB Darren McFadden took off on a 70 yard touchdown run. It was his second longest run since the 47 yard run in week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers.
The much needed win moves the Cowboys back above .500 with a record of 6-5. Next week will be another huge game as they try to avoid getting swept by their division rivals, the Washington Redskins. Meanwhile, the Chargers will head back home to take on the Cleveland Browns.
