Chargers Dominate Second Half to Cruise Past Eliminated Cowboys, 34-17
ARLINGTON, Texas — Justin Herbert put on a clinic in efficiency, throwing for 300 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score, as the Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) pulled away in the second half for a convincing 34-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1) on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
The win keeps Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers firmly in control of their playoff destiny in the AFC West, marking their seventh victory in eight games and inching them closer to a postseason berth. For Dallas, already eliminated from playoff contention the night before, it was a flat home finale that underscored a season of defensive woes and missed opportunities under first-year coach Brian Schottenheimer.
The first half was a shootout, with both offenses trading blows. Herbert connected with Quentin Johnston on a 23-yard touchdown pass to open the scoring, answered quickly by Dak Prescott’s 5-yard strike to rookie Ryan Flournoy. Herbert added a 1-yard quarterback sneak and another touchdown pass—this one to Ladd McConkey—while Prescott fired a 38-yard bomb to George Pickens, helping Dallas trail just 21-17 at the break.
But the Chargers’ defense clamped down after halftime, forcing the game’s first punt and holding the Cowboys scoreless over the final two quarters. A 27-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker extended the lead, and Herbert’s electrifying 34-yard scramble on third down set up another Dicker kick. Rookie running back Omarion Hampton capped the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run late in the fourth.
Herbert was masterful, completing 23 of 29 passes (79%) for 300 yards and no interceptions, while Johnston hauled in 4 catches for 104 yards and a score. Prescott finished 21-of-30 for 244 yards and two touchdowns but couldn’t overcome a Cowboys defense that surrendered 452 total yards.
Injuries compounded Dallas’ struggles: Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (concussion) and center Cooper Beebe (eye) exited early, while the Chargers lost left tackle Jamaree Salyer (hamstring) and cornerback Donte Jackson (groin).
“They played a better full game than us,” Prescott admitted postgame. Herbert, meanwhile, praised his team’s resilience: “We’ve kind of taken it week by week.”
The Chargers head into their final two games with momentum, while the Cowboys limp to the finish line, facing big questions in an offseason that can’t come soon enough.