Chargers Lose To The Dallas Cowboys: By The Numbers
The Los Angeles Chargers lost in Week 2 in Chargers fashion, following another Chargers fashion – one-possession win in Week One. The Chargers had their home opener at SoFi Stadium with fans in the stands for the first time in a regular-season matchup.
The game went back and forth until the very end. Justin Herbert outplayed Dak Prescott, with Herbert throwing 101 yards and one touchdown more than Prescott. However, at the end of the day, with all the flags and touchdowns being overturned for Los Angeles, the Cowboys snuck out with a 20-17 win.
Let’s take a look at the numbers.
TWELVE
That number is the number of penalties the Chargers had in Week 2. Whether fans agreed with all the calls or not, there were a few that should not have been flagged. That number is a dreadful amount of flags, especially in contrast to the first game where the Chargers had just six penalties.
Some penalties were certainly uncalled for and should not have been penalties, particularly the illegal shift that negated Jared Cook‘s would-be touchdown and the man downfield call that negated a big play to Mike Williams. That being said, the Chargers will need to limit the penalties as much as possible next week if they want to have a chance to win in Kansas City. The majority of the penalties were called on the offense this week, and they need to be better.
Three
The Chargers have simply not scored enough touchdowns in each of the two matchups to start the season. They are moving the ball at will, but have only come away with three touchdowns in ten trips to the red zone.
The defense was able to step up to limit the damage and were able to hold a high octane Cowboys offense to just twenty points. But going forward, this could be a cause for concern especially against teams such as the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and yes, even the Las Vegas Raiders. The offense needs to convert in the red zone and score touchdowns.
Herbert did a great job involving Austin Ekeler in the passing more in this game, but it just wasn’t enough to capture the win. With Ekeler, Williams, Cook, and Keenan Allen the Chargers have too much talent to be struggling in the red zone like this.
TEN
That is the number of targets Williams saw from Herbert today, leading the team in targets. In Week One, Williams saw 12 targets, receiving eight catches for 82 yards, and one touchdown. In Week Two, Williams received seven catches for 91 yards and one touchdown. Williams has clearly seen an uptick in targets this season, and he has capitalized during both weeks. Whether Allen, Ekeler, or Williams will lead the team in targets remains to be seen, but Williams has definitely thrown his hat into that ring, after being used more as a jump-ball specialist with the previous coaching staff.
Williams caught the only touchdown pass by Herbert this week. As mentioned earlier, the Chargers will play the Kansas City Chiefs next week. Williams will look to keep getting open and emerging as one of Herbert’s favorite targets. The potential of Williams was always clear, and now he is finally getting the opportunity to showcase it.
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The Chargers will look to win the uphill battle against the Chiefs and improve to 2-1 in Week Three.
Mike Williams on facing Cowboys: Buccaneers WRs looked like they were “having some fun” in Week 1. Via Around The NFL