Dallas Cowboys players celebrate after cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) intercepts a pass during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Micah Parsons, Stephon Gilmore win it for Cowboys on 'Monday Night Football'

It wasn't the prettiest of games, but when push came to shove, the Dallas Cowboys made plays in the fourth quarter when the Los Angeles Chargers just couldn't.

Specifically, two defensive stars for the Cowboys — pass-rusher Micah Parsons and cornerback Stephon Gilmore — stepped up their efforts and won "Monday Night Football" for the Cowboys with two back-to-back stellar plays.

Up 20-17 but with the Chargers holding the ball and starting to drive, Parsons beautifully split a double-team and sacked L.A. quarterback Justin Herbert on second-and-2. It was Parsons' first sack of the night as well as Dallas' first, and it couldn't have come at a better time.

The Chargers had no timeouts and the sack forced a third-and-10 with the clock ticking away.

Dallas once again got good pressure on Herbert, and the veteran cornerback — Gilmore — sealed the deal for the Cowboys.

The Cowboys improved their record to 4-2 with the win and play the Los Angeles Rams at home next. The Chargers fell to 2-3 and will play against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium next weekend.

Without a doubt, those two plays could end up being a turning point for both teams.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Former NBA star says Anthony Edwards becomes face of the NBA if Wolves knock off Nuggets
Rams make surprising release of former team captain
Hornets hire top Celtics assistant as next head coach
Maple Leafs fire HC Sheldon Keefe after another early playoff exit
Super Bowl champion discusses why Russell Wilson failed with Broncos
Colts LB Zaire Franklin calls out Texans, C.J. Stroud
Angels to acquire longtime Mets infielder from Braves
Giants sign former Pro Bowl wide receiver
Report reveals why the NBA did not suspend Jamal Murray
Pressure mounts on Nuggets as Nikola Jokic wins third MVP Award
Jalen Brunson shakes off injury to lift Knicks to Game 2 win
Panthers dominate Bruins to even series
LSU HC pins transfer portal struggles on reluctance to 'buy players'
Pirates announce date for 2023 No. 1 overall pick's MLB debut
Shohei Ohtani showing what would happen if he only focused on hitting
Joe Burrow shares 'support' for Bengals who requested trades
Canucks erase three-goal deficit to stun Oilers in Game 1
Watch: Pacers star ties playoff high in threes in one half
Former NFL player has major warning for Steelers QB Justin Fields: 'You can't fall into this'
Watch: Brad Marchand hurdle Panthers player on Charlie Coyle goal