Chargers Vs Cowboys: What To Watch For, Including If The Chargers Can Keep Winning

The Los Angeles Chargers have won back-to-back games, but can they keep this streak up all the way into, hopefully, the playoffs? Here’s what to watch for in their next matchup against Dallas.

Can The Chargers’ Secondary Stop Cowboys Wide Receivers CeeDee Lamb And George Pickens? 

The Cowboys now have two explosive wide receivers this year in Pickens and Lamb. Since coming from the Steelers, Pickens has career highs in receiving yards (1,212) and receiving touchdowns (eight). And though Lamb hasn’t reached the highs of previous seasons, he’s keeping pace with 976 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. The Chargers will have their work cut out for them in trying to stop both of these threats from making big plays. 

But luckily, this secondary seems up to the challenge. Cornerbacks Cam Hart and Donte Jackson currently lead the team in passes defended with 11 and 12, respectively. Jackson is also tied with safety Tony Jefferson for the most interceptions of the team (four). And in the game against the Eagles, Jackson had his highest Pro Football Focus (PFF) coverage grade of the season (91.6%), only allowing one reception.

Rookie safety R.J. Mickens has not allowed any touchdowns, while safety Derwin James Jr. has only allowed one, despite all he continues to do on the defense.

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Cornerback Tarheeb Still hasn’t quite lived up to his rookie season as he has already exceeded his missed tackle number from last year, but perhaps this next game will be one where he gets back on track.

These Cowboys’ receivers are dangerous and will capitalize on any opportunity, so the Chargers’ secondary must keep up with them and either intercept their targets or immediately stop them when they receive receptions.

The Chargers should also be on the lookout for Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson, as he has the third-most targets (93) and second-most receptions (77) on the team.   

As a note, it’s not 100% clear if Mickens will play this week, as he did sustain an injury during the Chiefs game. 

If The Chargers’ Run Defense Contains Javonte Williams

Williams is having a career year with the Cowboys, with more than 1,000 rushing yards and double digits in rushing touchdowns (10). Linebacker Daiyan Henley currently leads the team in tackles (48 solo), while edge Tuli Tuipulotu leads the team in tackles for loss (19).

And though Eagles running back Saquon Barkley did get away with a 52-yard rush for a touchdown, edge Khalil Mack, James, and others like Henley, defensive lineman Teair Tart, and Hart, all played a role in limiting him to 122 rushing yards, the majority of which were on that one long run.

The Chargers will need to stop any explosive rushes from Williams to ensure this game doesn’t go sideways, and they certainly have the necessary players to do so. 

Will Rookie Chargers Continue To Emerge In The Passing Game? 

Tight end Oronde Gadsden II has had the second-most receiving targets for the Chargers for the last two games, while wide receiver Tre Harris had a 37-yard reception against the Chiefs, and wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith had his first career NFL touchdown.

Though wide receiver Keenan Allen still got the majority of receiving targets in that Chiefs matchup, with wide receiver Quentin Johnston out with a groin injury, Herbert was able to make other connections.

Herbert is always going to try to get the ball to people like wide receiver Ladd McConkey, Allen, or Johnston, but with his chemistry with Gadsden and with Lambert-Smith’s first touchdown, perhaps this signals a slight changing of the guard, where rookie pass-catchers will start to have larger stat lines.

If Edge Odafe Oweh Will Have Another Game With Multiple Quarterback Sacks?

Since being acquired from Baltimore earlier in the season, Oweh has started showing out. In this last game against the Chiefs, he took down Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes twice. This was Oweh’s second game with multiple sacks, as he also sacked Titans quarterback Cam Ward twice in one drive in Week 9.

And in the game against the Eagles, Oweh got one as he came off the left side and managed to sack Eagles Quarterback Jalen Hurts.

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Considering he’s only three away from reaching his career high sack number from 2024 (10), and he’s gotten sacks in the last two games, there’s a high possibility he could either get very close or match that number by the end of this next matchup.

With the way these edges have been playing, Tuipulotu also got two sacks against the Chiefs, while Mack got one; any of them could have more than one sack this next game, but it’ll be interesting to see if Oweh can keep up this momentum.  

Can The Chargers End This Game In Another Interception? 

The Chargers have been on a roll recently when it comes to game-ending interceptions. There was the interception by Jefferson against the Eagles in Week 14 to end the overtime period and hand the Chargers the victory.

And then there was the James interception that happened with the Chiefs’ last attempt to get a field goal and extend the game into overtime. After backup Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew let the ball fly, James got in front of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce to snatch it away and end the game.

Now, Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott is already in double digits when it comes to interceptions this season, and considering the Chargers’ defense has already exceeded its interception number from last year with 17 on the year, it’s not a question of if there will be an interception from this team, but when?

And considering that both of these last couple of games ended with one, there’s a good chance the Chargers could have another to lead them to victory, and hopefully the score won’t be as close.