The Cowboys offense was plenty explosive, too, as Dak Prescott and his playmakers put up 17 points of their own before halftime.
But the second half was a different story as the Chargers took a seven-point lead into the fourth quarter.
The Bolts defense rose up after halftime, forcing a Dallas punt on the Cowboys first possession of the second half that was also the first punt in the entire game. It came with just over nine minutes left in the third quarter.
The Chargers defense then stepped up again late in the third frame.
With the Bolts leading 24-17, the Cowboys drove into the red zone and faced fourth-and-1 from the 16-yard line.
But the Chargers run defense came up with a timely stuff as Jamaree Caldwell and Da’Shawn Hand teamed up for a turnover on downs to give the offense the ball back.
Herbert took advantage and provided a spark with a 34-yard run to get the Chargers into Cowboys territory.