The Los Angeles Chargers take on the Dallas Cowboys this Monday at 5:15 p.m. PT.
Here are a few players on the Cowboys that the Bolts must hone in on to come out victorious.
EDGEs Micah Parsons & Demarcus Lawrence
The Cowboys boast a fearsome front that has terrorized opposing backfields. There aren’t many players that have done as much damage as Parsons this season, though. He has four sacks and 29 quarterback pressures through five games. Lawrence, on the other hand, should also pose a threat. The veteran pass rusher has totaled 17 pressures and a pair of sacks. Rashawn Slater and Trey Pipkins will definitely have their hands full on Monday.
WR CeeDee Lamb
The Cowboys’ passing offense has sputtered and a big reason why is Lamb’s lack of usage. Lamb has been held under 55 yards in the last three games simply because he has not been thrown the ball. Through five games, he’s tallied 27 receptions on 35 targets for 358 yards and one touchdown. Nonetheless, Lamb is still an explosive playmaker. He tied for the eighth in the NFL in receiving plays (eight) of 20 yards or more. For a Chargers defense that has struggled to prevent explosive passing plays, Lamb could present a problem.
RB Tony Pollard
Pollard hasn’t been that effective in recent action, as he has totaled less than 50 rushing yards in his last two games. And while the Chargers have been pretty solid at defending the run, opposing running backs in the passing game have caused issues for them. Los Angeles is allowing the fifth-most receiving yards to running backs, with their most recent game being where Josh Jacobs caught eight passes for 81 yards. Pollard could be used in the same manner.
CB Daron Bland
I mentioned the prolific pass rushers that the Cowboys have, but they also possess a stud in the secondary that has been a key piece to their No. 2 ranked pass defense. Filling in for Trevon Diggs as the top boundary corner, Bland has excelled in the role. He is tied for the most interceptions (3), two of which came against the Patriots in Week 4. Bland is also currently allowing the lowest passer rating in the NFL (30.7).