Tag: Chargers Cowboys

Chargers vs. Cowboys preseason Week 3: How to watch, listen and stream online

Find out how to tune in to watch the Chargers take on the Cowboys in the preseason finale.

The Chargers close out the preseason on Saturday, as they face off against the Cowboys.

Here is everything you need to know so you can tune in:

Game Information

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Dallas Cowboys

Saturday, Aug. 24 — 1:00 p.m. PT

AT&T Stadium — Arlington, TX

Television

The game will be televised on KCBS-TV in Los Angeles. Noah Eagle and Dan Fouts will have the call.

Radio

ALT FM-98.7 (English broadcast)

FM 105.5/94.3 (Spanish broadcast)

Streaming

FuboTV (try it for free).

Studs and duds from the Chargers’ loss to Cowboys

Before moving on to the Chiefs, let’s reflect on some of the performances from Monday Night Football.

The Chargers missed a huge opportunity to go over .500 on the season after a crushing primetime loss to Dallas. With multiple opportunities to take the lead or tie in the second half, LA’s offense faltered for various reasons.

Unfortunately, the schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Chargers. They head to Arrowhead Stadium next week to play the Chiefs. A loss would send them again to two games below .500 this season.

Before Kansas City, let’s reflect on some of the performances from Monday Night Football.

Stud: WR Keenan Allen

Keenan Allen was among the few bright spots in an otherwise disastrous Chargers’ offense performance. Allen had 85 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions. Had Justin Herbert not missed two deep shots where Allen got open, Allen might’ve had production that rivaled his 200+ yard performance against Minnesota.

An 87.8 PFF offensive score is Allen’s highest graded game since his 2020 performance against Jacksonville. After some doubts regarding his longevity after dealing with injuries last year, the resurgence has been real for the Chargers’ star wideout.

Allen will be leaned on heavily in the next 12 weeks without Mike Williams and some other offense issues. The Chargers will need more of this level from Allen to stay above water. Shout out to Slayer for continuing to turn back the clock in 2023.

Dud: QB Justin Herbert

Justin Herbert’s performance on Monday Night Football was his worst in a few seasons. It wasn’t all on him, to be fair. The offensive line had a whole slew of problems. Herbert was pressured 21 times.

The pressures and hits Herbert has taken in the last two weeks have caused him to become skittish in the pocket even when pressure isn’t there. As mentioned in the Allen stud section, the Chargers’ quarterback airmailed two wide-open deep shots to his star receiver. It’s rare for him to miss that badly.

In terms of diagnosing inaccurate passes and poor play, the broken finger on the non-throwing hand comes into this discussion.

After arguably having the best game of his career against Minnesota in Week 3, Herbert needs to be better in reacting to pressure to put the Chargers in positions to win games. He’s cost the team yards and points in the last two weeks.

Stud: EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu

Tuli Tuipulotu was PFF’s highest-graded Charger on the defensive side of the ball. He had five pressures and a run stop. Tuipulotu is now second on the team in pressures and fourth among all rookie defenders.

Considering the health of Joey Bosa and his inability to perform at his usual standard, the USC rookie’s performance has been necessary for this defensive line to play as well as it has. Last year, EDGE defenders opposite Khalil Mack had struggled to hold their own when Bosa was out. With Tuipulotu impacting a high volume of his defensive snaps, the Chargers have been saved by his continued development.

Dud: The offensive line

The Chargers could only get a little running game going. Austin Ekeler had just 27 yards on 14 carries in his return. Herbert was pressured 21 times. Both of these problems stem from the decline of the offensive line over recent weeks.

Will Clapp allowed three pressures as his pass-blocking efficiency dipped. The team misses Corey Linsley quite a bit in both communication and performance. Rashawn Slater has led the team in pressures allowed in each of the last two games. He’s been on the injury report with an ankle in recent weeks and it was once again heavily taped during Monday’s game.

An underwhelming interior and the injury-related decline of Slater are more than enough to cause the offensive line to plummet. In fairness, the opponents have been rough, with Micah Parsons and Maxx Crosby coming to town in the last two games. But the Chargers need to stabilize the offensive line in this next vital stretch of games to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Stud: WR Joshua Palmer

Joshua Palmer played through a groin injury and led the team in receiver snaps. He had four receptions for 60 yards and would come down with a score if not for a tremendous 4th down stop in the end zone by Daron Bland.

It’s evident that he’s earned Herbert’s trust over the years and that’s a massive step forward in a Chargers’ receiver room that is missing the aforementioned Williams. Until Quentin Johnston or other receivers step up with consistent production, Palmer will be just as important as Allen in putting together consistent drives downfield for the Chargers.

Dud: Derwin James

Derwin James has been a disappointment this season. In coverage, he hasn’t been as efficient as in previous seasons. There are also moments like Dak Prescott’s zone read touchdown that essentially happened because of a defensive miscommunication about where he was supposed to be.

All of that aside, the penalties are the big story with Derwin James. He gave the Cowboys a free 30 yards on two penalties in this game. He’s up to four on the season and is on pace to smash his single-season record of six.

The first roughing the passer penalty was very debatable. I don’t think it should’ve been called on James. However, James has to know by now that he will be penalized for leading with his helmet. It’s cost the Chargers a few times this season. The refs have been consistent in calling it as well. There’s no surprise when it happens at this point.

For James to save his season, he must be a more disciplined player. While his frustrations with a changing set of NFL rules are understandable, it’s on him as a team leader to not cost the Chargers in critical moments.

PFF: Chargers EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu deemed highest-graded rookie from Week 6

Chargers EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu continues to be a dominant force.

Pro Football Focus released their list of the ten highest-graded rookies from Week 6. Chargers edge defender Tuli Tuipulotu sat atop the list with a 90.0 overall grade from his performance against the Cowboys.

Tuipulotu continued to make noise, finishing with five quarterback pressures, which led the team on Monday. That brings his pressure total to 19, which is second among Chargers defenders and fourth among rookie defenders.

Tuipulotu almost had a sack on quarterback Dak Prescott, but he couldn’t completely grasp him and bring him down.

Tuipulotu has been given a full workload while Joey Bosa works his way back from his toe injury and has fully taken advantage of his time on the field.

When he’s not generating pressure on the quarterback, Tuipulotu has been involved in the run game, using his relentless motor to pursue ball carriers.

Tuipulotu ranks second in run stops with 10 and third in run stop percentage (11.6).

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 6 loss to Cowboys

Spotlighting Pro Football Focus’ highest and lowest-graded Chargers players from the loss to the Cowboys.

In Week 6, the Chargers fell short to the Cowboys, 20-17.

Outcome aside, there were some standout performers and others that were duds.

With that being said, here are the best and worst performers from Sunday’s contest, according to Pro Football Focus’ player grades.

Note: To be more accurate, this is based on players who played at least 35% of the snaps on offense (72) or defense (64).

Top 5 Offense

WR Keenan Allen – 87.8

WR Joshua Palmer – 68.2

QB Justin Herbert – 62.5

OT Rashawn Slater – 61.4

OL Zion Johnson – 61.0

Top 5 Defense

EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu – 90.0

LB Eric Kendricks – 86.2

DT Nick Williams – 85.3

EDGE Khalil Mack – 85.0

DT Sebastian Joseph-Day – 81.7

Bottom 5 Offense

TE Donald Parham – 51.4

TE Gerald Everett – 50.6

WR Quentin Johnston – 48.6

C Will Clapp – 48.2

OL Jamaree Salyer – 46.4

Bottom 5 Defense

S Derwin James – 51.4

CB Michael Davis – 50.2

DL Morgan Fox – 48.4

DT Austin Johnson – 41.9

CB Ja’Sir Taylor – 29.7

Twitter reacts to Chargers’ loss to Cowboys

How social media reacted following the Chargers’ loss to the Cowboys.

Fresh off their bye, the Chargers fell to the Cowboys in yet again, thrilling fashion on Monday night.

Here are some reactions following the game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 takeaways from Chargers’ 20-17 loss to Cowboys

Here’s what stood out from the Chargers’ Week 6 loss to the Cowboys.

Another week, another Chargers football game. Los Angeles watched the Cowboys commit eleven penalties but committed nine of their own to salt away a 20-17 loss that dropped the Chargers to 2-3.

Here’s what to take away from the loss.

Everything to know about Chargers’ loss to Cowboys

To recap the Chargers’ loss to the Cowboys, here is everything you need to know.

In yet another game that was determined in the final two minutes, the Chargers fell to the Cowboys on Monday night, 20-17.

To recap Week 6, here is everything you need to know:

Watch the Chargers and Cowboys get into pregame scuffle ahead of Week 6

Tensions are already high at SoFi Stadium.

Tensions are already high at SoFi Stadium between the Chargers and Cowboys as the two teams got into a scuffle before the game.

It looks like it initially involved the Chargers secondary. Then others became involved, including running back Austin Ekeler, who appeared to have taken a punch to the head by edge defender Dante Fowler.

Kickoff is set for 5:15 pm PT.

Chargers WR Joshua Palmer added to injury report, questionable vs. Cowboys

The Chargers could be without their No. 2 wide receiver on Monday night.

Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer was added to the injury report Sunday due to a groin injury and is now questionable for the Week 6 matchup against the Cowboys.

Palmer participated in practice all week, so it isn’t clear what caused the injury. It’s possible that it could have occurred during the team’s final practice of the week on Saturday.

With Mike Williams out for the season with a torn ACL, Palmer has a more prominent role. In Week 4 against the Raiders, Palmer posted three catches for 77 yards on eight targets.

If Palmer can’t go, rookie Quentin Johnston would be the No. 2 wideout behind Keenan Allen.

Derius Davis and Simi Fehoko are the other two wide receivers on the roster. Keelan Doss could be promoted from the practice squad.

5 keys to a Chargers win over Cowboys on Monday Night Football

The Chargers will look to pick up their third straight win.

The Chargers will be at home against the Cowboys on primetime as they look to go over .500 for the first time this season. Getting to 3-2 for the Bolts would be huge after a rocky start to their 2023 campaign.

However, it won’t be easy. Dallas is in need of a statement performance after a blowout loss against the 49ers, which put them two games back of the Eagles in the NFC East. They know a win is needed to keep their division and larger playoff hopes alive.

Without any further ado, here’s how LA can knock off America’s Team.

Feed Austin Ekeler early and often

Austin Ekeler is officially off the Chargers’ injury report and will play for the first time since Week 1. Against the Dolphins, LA’s star running back had 164 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. From both an offensive production and pass-blocking standpoint, Ekeler is a massive boost for the Chargers’ hopes in this game.

In the weeks he’s missed, the pass blocking from Joshua Kelley and Isaiah Spiller has not been good. Neither of those running backs play the safety valve role nearly as actively as Ekeler in the receiving game. He’s a legitimate explosive play threat and the Chargers have missed his presence.

A stat that says it all: Ekeler had 117 rushing yards in Week 1. The Chargers’ running backs in the last three games have had 142 rushing yards combined in his absence.

Getting Ekeler going early opens up the rest of the Chargers offense for more open opportunities as the defense is drawn to his gravity. Kellen Moore has to make an effort to do that consistently on Monday night against his former squad.

A big rebound game from Michael Davis

The Chargers have had multiple weeks, plus the BYE week post-trade, to reconfigure their secondary after the departure of J.C. Jackson. This is what the secondary will look like for the rest of the year, barring injury. The Chargers must go up against high-powered offenses with their cornerback trio of Asante Samuel Jr., Michael Davis, and Ja’Sir Taylor.

To this point in the season, Davis has been the weak link of that group:

Davis has discussed the Chargers’ previous cornerback rotation in the past with the need for each of the cornerbacks to find their “rhythm.” With the unit more stabilized now in their personnel. Hopefully, #43 can find his form. It’s important to remember that there has been high-level play from Davis when he is locked in. 2020 and the back half of last season are examples of that.

Davis will likely be matched up with Michael Gallup on the outside, with some occasional snaps against CeeDee Lamb moving outside.

How many snaps can Joey Bosa play?

Joey Bosa is officially questionable after missing the Raiders game before the BYE. Bosa’s hamstring is officially off the injury report, but his toe remains an issue. The good news is that he was able to register a limited practice designation for the Chargers on Saturday.

Bosa was always likely to play after being able to rest over the BYE, but the question is volume. He played 19 snaps against Tennessee and 28 snaps against Minnesota. Both figures are down from the full workload of 58 snaps against Miami in Week 1.

Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu should be able to hold up their ends of the bargain, but Bosa’s volume will go a long way in determining just how effective this pass rush can be. The Chargers will also be fighting for every pressure, hurry and sack. Dallas’ offensive line is undoubtedly a significant step up from the groups the Chargers played in their first four weeks.

The Chargers will need as much Bosa as they can get. Time will tell if that’s closer to 15 snaps or if he can push it to 25-40.

Maintain 4th down aggression 

Chargers’ head coach Brandon Staley has caught flack from the media for unsuccessful 4th down conversions at the ends of the Minnesota and Las Vegas games. The fourth down approach is still about the process of the results for the Bolts’ coaching staff.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys have been one of the most conservative teams in the league in situations when analytical models say that they should go for it:

The Chargers will need every edge in this Cowboys game. With the state of their defense, moving the chains on fourth downs could be very valuable.

Not every Chargers fan will agree with each of Staley’s fourth-down decisions. But in the macro, it could give them some advantage over Mike McCarthy’s conservative nature.

Containing Micah Parsons

Micah Parsons is coming off his worst game of the season against San Francisco. Trent Williams won all eight of his matchups with Parsons and the Cowboys’ star ended up having just two pressures on the night. It snapped an eight-game streak in which the All-Pro EDGE rusher had 5+ pressures in each game.

Parsons isn’t likely to have a second bad game in a row. Rashawn Slater and Trey Pipkins must be at their best to limit him. On some level, the Chargers’ offensive line will also look to perform better on tape than they did against Las Vegas in Week 4.

Maxx Crosby had eight pressures against the Chargers himself while he opened up opportunities for 17 more pressures from other Raiders players. The Chargers cannot allow Parsons to have that same level of game-breaking impact. Will Clapp will also be critical in his second start of the season as he calls out the signals on the offensive line in relief of Corey Linsley.