The Cowboys’ offense is putting up points like usual. But the Cowboys’ defense is giving up points like usual.
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys trail the Los Angeles Chargers 21-17 at halftime of their Week 16 tilt at AT&T Stadium, as Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has thrown for a pair of touchdowns and rushed for another, holding a near-perfect passer rating of 151.3.
Herbert led three successive touchdown drives in the Chargers’ three first-half possessions, going 65, 87, and 81 yards to score on the Cowboys’ defense with ease.
Dallas answered with three scoring drives of their own, and if not for a holding penalty on Tyler Smith, would likely sit in a 21-21 tie at halftime. Dak Prescott’s touchdown pass to Ryan Flournoy in the second quarter was negated by a Smith holding penalty, leading to a 33-yard Brandon Aubrey field goal.
Prescott still threw for a pair of touchdowns, hitting Flournoy in the first quarter to open the scoring, and hitting George Pickens on a beautiful deep ball up the left sideline for a 38-yard touchdown.
Prescott completed 14 of 18 passes for 156 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and had his own glitzy passer rating of 139.8.
Herbert was every bit as effective, completing 14 of his 16 passes for 173 yards and the 2 touchdown passes – one to Ladd McConkey, the other to Quentin Johnston. The TCU product, Johnston, made a dazzling one-handed catch to tie the game at 7-7. He beat Shavon Revel up the left sideline and caught the nose of the football with one hand for a mesmerizing touchdown.
Omarion Hampton leads the way for the Chargers’ ground attack, with 48 yards on seven carries. Javonte Williams has 33 yards on 7 carries for Dallas.
George Pickens has had a profound bounce-back performance after a couple of down weeks. He has 86 yards and a touchdown on four receptions in the first half. CeeDee Lamb was also effective, catching four passes in the first half.
Dallas had the ball to start, so it will be the Chargers’ ball to open the third quarter.