NFL: The Cowboys ride out a last-second win over LA with a Zuerlein field goal
Inglewood, California - The Dallas Cowboys got their first win of the season by gutting out a last-second win on the road over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Dak Prescott (28) and the Cowboys managed sneak it 20-17 on Sunday, dealing LA its first loss of the NFL regular season.
Prescott completed all but four of his 27 pass attempts for 237 yards and an interception, but no touchdowns.
LA’s second-year quarterback Justin Herbert had a much better game on the stats sheet, going 31-for-41 passing for 338 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. This was Herbert’s 10th 300-yard performance in 17 career games.
Dallas came out with a touchdown drive to open the game, capped off by a four-yard run by running back Tony Pollard. He finished the game leading the Cowboys on the ground with 13 carries for 109 yards to go with his touchdown.
After an LA field goal, Ezekiel Elliott went five yards for a touchdown of his own to make the score 14-3 in favor of the Cowboys.
That didn't last, as a 12-yard touchdown pass from Herbert to Mike Williams followed by Tristan Vizcaino’s second field goal tied the game at 14 each, heading into the fourth quarter.
Overall, both teams were practically neck-and-neck in total yards, with Dallas only out-gaining LA by 11 yards, 419 to 408.
Ultimately, the Chargers have only themselves to blame for the devastating loss, having two separate touchdowns wiped out by costly penalties in the second half, including a two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jared Cook in the fourth that might’ve given LA the lead for a potential win.
After the Chargers settled for Vizcaino’s third field goal, the Cowboys marched down the field for a game-winning 56-yard field goal, pushed through with yards to spare by veteran kicker Greg Zuerlein.
Next Sunday, the Chargers (1-1) head to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs (1-1) while the Cowboys (1-1) will close out Week Three at home against the Eagles (1-1) on Monday night.
Cover photo: IMAGO / Icon SMI