Chargers roll past Cowboys, 34-17

Justin Herbert continues to look more at ease each week while playing through a broken left hand, and on Sunday the Dallas Cowboys were unable to make him uncomfortable at all.

Herbert threw for two touchdowns, rushed for another and led the Los Angeles Chargers to a 34–17 victory, moving them to the brink of a playoff berth. The Chargers extended their winning streak to four games and improved to 11–4, giving them a chance to clinch their second postseason appearance in two seasons under coach Jim Harbaugh with an Indianapolis loss or tie Monday night.

The win also kept Los Angeles firmly in the AFC West race. Denver remains in first place by one game with two to play, but the Chargers would hold the tiebreaker by sweeping the season series if they win the regular-season finale against the Broncos.

Herbert was sharp from the opening drive, leading Los Angeles to touchdowns on all three first-half possessions in his third full game with his left hand fully protected. He finished 23 of 29 passing for 300 yards, completing a season-high 79 percent of his throws, while the Chargers piled up a season-best 452 total yards.

Quentin Johnston caught a 23-yard touchdown pass early in the first half and followed it with a 25-yard score to Ladd McConkey. Herbert added a 1-yard rushing touchdown on a modified quarterback sneak, and Omarion Hampton’s 5-yard run in the second half helped put the game out of reach. Johnston finished with four receptions for 104 yards.

Dallas struck first behind Dak Prescott, who threw touchdown passes on the Cowboys’ first two drives. Ryan Flournoy hauled in a 5-yard score, and George Pickens added a 38-yard touchdown reception. From there, the offense stalled as Dallas failed to reach the end zone again.

Prescott ended the day 21 of 30 for 244 yards, but the Cowboys were eliminated from playoff contention for the second straight season following Philadelphia’s NFC East-clinching win Saturday. Dallas dropped to 6–8–1 and has lost three consecutive games.

Los Angeles seized control in the second half with a critical scramble from Herbert. Facing pressure on third-and-7, he slipped free in the backfield and sprinted 33 yards, setting up a Cameron Dicker 27-yard field goal that extended the lead to 27–17 with nine minutes remaining. Herbert briefly favored his injured hand after the play but did not miss a snap.

The Chargers’ offensive line, despite being makeshift, kept Herbert clean. Dallas failed to record a sack for the second straight week, even as Herbert entered the game having already been sacked a career-high 49 times this season.

Injuries

Chargers left tackle Jamaree Salyer left in the first half with a hamstring injury and did not return. Cornerback Donte Jackson exited in the third quarter with a groin injury and also did not return.

For Dallas, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown sustained a concussion in the first half and was ruled out. Center Cooper Beebe briefly left the game in the first quarter after being poked in the eye but returned.

Up Next

The Chargers host the Houston Texans on Saturday.

The Cowboys travel to Washington for a Thursday night matchup.