Dak Prescott’s excellent effort, which included 272 yards through the air and a perfectly timed touchdown pass,

helped the Dallas Cowboys defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-17 in a thrilling Monday night matchup. Prescott completed 21 of 30 passes and even had a speedy touchdown. He made history as the 30th quarterback in NFL annals to complete a touchdown pass against no fewer than 31 different adversaries.

He connected up with Brandin Cooks to complete a 2-yard touchdown pass with only 11 minutes and 19 seconds left in the thrilling game, giving the Cowboys a 17-10 lead.

Gerald Everett caught a 1-yard touchdown throw from Justin Herbert with 7 minutes and 11 seconds left in the contest, tying the score at 17-17 in the Chargers’ favor.

In a nail-biting finish, Brandon Aiyuk was the hero for the Cowboys, drilling two crucial field goals, including a remarkable 39-yarder with just 2 minutes and 19 seconds remaining, ensuring their victory.

The Chargers had one last chance to send it to overtime, but Stephen Gilmore intercepted Herbert at the LA 33-yard line with 1:22 left, sealing the victory. Earlier in the game, Herbert had been benched for an 8-yard loss by Micah Parsons.

Prescott stated, “This match presented us with quite a formidable test. They fought hard. We knew it was a really good team.” “Records don’t always show it, but in this league, it doesn’t show anything. Offense, defense, they came in here and played a big game. Something we can build on.”

The Cowboys, who now have a record of 4-2, suffered a demoralizing 42-10 loss at San Francisco on October 8, but have since rebounded well, winning 10 of their last 11 games. They had seven receptions for 117 yards from CeeDee Lamb.

Justin Herbert’s Mixed Performance
Herbert threw for two touchdowns and completed 22 of 37 passes for 227 yards and one interception. Keenan Allen made an impact with seven receptions for 85 yards and secured a touchdown.

As for the Chargers, who had the benefit of a bye week, they faced a setback and now hold a 2-3 record.

The Chargers scored on their second straight drive and for the third time this season on their opening drive when Allen caught a 1-yard pass from Herbert on third and goal. Austin Ekeler, absent from the lineup in the last three games due to a hamstring injury, played a pivotal role in this drive.

He skillfully hauled in a screen pass from Herbert, gaining 28 yards and positioning the Chargers at the Cowboys’ 4-yard line.

Dallas responded on its next possession when Prescott executed a perfect end-zone pass. At 18-14, the Chargers were at the 1-yard line when the Cowboys’ linebacker Tuli Tuli Polaotu lost his balance while attempting to push Tony Pollard behind the scrimmage line, but Prescott kept his balance and took it to the house to tie the game in the middle.

Prescott’s 18-yard score was the longest touchdown run of his eight-year career. This touchdown run also marked the lengthiest one by a Cowboys quarterback since John Kitna’s 29-yard sprint against Detroit back in 2010.

At the conclusion of the second quarter, Aiyuk’s accurate kick from 32 yards out enabled the Cowboys to enter halftime with a 10-7 lead.

Los Angeles tied it in the third quarter when Cameron Dicker had a strong performance with a 32-yard field goal.
In 2022, after his 68-yard touchdown, Pollard’s reception in Minnesota was the second-longest catch of his career.

Injury Report

Chargers: D-linebacker Uchenna Nwosu encountered a knee injury during the initial half but made a comeback in the second half. Furthermore, CB Rahim Lane also experienced a knee injury in the third quarter.

On the other hand, Buffalo Bills’ running back, Damien Harris, faced a neck injury that necessitated him being transported off the field via an ambulance during their game against the New York Giants on Sunday night at Orchard Park, New York.

Immediately after leaving the stadium, the Bills made an announcement stating, “Harris is showing movement in his hands and feet,” and mentioned that he was being taken to the hospital for further evaluation. Before being placed in the ambulance, Harris raised his thumb with his left hand.

Bills’ coach, Sean McDermott, during a post-game press conference after their 14-9 victory, mentioned that based on initial reports, “Things are heading in the right direction for Damien.”

McDermott stated, “My understanding is that he is still fully conscious.” This frightening incident happened more than nine months after Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin had to face a cardiac arrest on the field during a game in Cincinnati on January 2, which required emergency medical responders to revive him.

Hamlin, who has been making significant progress as described by his doctors, has since resumed his NFL career.
He participated in an official season match earlier this month. Hamlin was on the Bills’ game-day inactive list on Sunday but was on the sideline due to Harris’s injury.

During the initial moments of the second quarter, Harris sustained an injury as a result of a tackle attempt while executing a rush. When the team’s medical staff examined him, Bills’ players and McDermott gathered on the field.

McDermott said after the game, “Things start to churn in your mind first and foremost.” He continued, “On the other hand, when you see a young athlete, whether they belong to your team or the opponent’s, you can’t help but feel concerned.

And the game becomes secondary at that point, and you’re concerned for the welfare and health of the player lying on the field. So, what I want to emphasize is that it’s certainly not a favorable situation to go through. However, it’s relieving to hear the updates indicating that he’s making positive progress. Hence, I’m extremely grateful for that.