The Dallas Cowboys will head to SoFi Stadium on Monday night to take the Los Angeles Chargers.
There is more to prove than ever this season after the Cowboys suffered a humbling loss in Week 4 against the 49ers.
But the biggest battle going into the game will be Chargers’ offensive coordinator Kellen Moore going against his former team for the first time.
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Kellen Moore vs. Dan Quinn
Moore was with the Cowboys from 2015 to 2017 as the team’s backup quarterback, and after retiring from football in 2018, the team announced that he would be the quarterbacks coach. He was then promoted to the offensive coordinator the following year in 2019.
He was let go by the Cowboys ahead of the 2023 season, Brian Schottenheimer was hired as the new offensive coordinator, and Mike McCarthy announced he would take over the play-calling.
MORE: Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart
Moore’s play-calling was scrutinized in Dallas due to its predictability. But last year was the final straw when the scheme seemed too complicated for everyone on the offense, creating confusion, miscommunications, and turnovers.
One of the most significant battles this season for the defense will be how they can out-scheme Moore, as he knows Dan Quinn’s defense, the players’ nuances, and their history since there hasn’t been a lot of turnover for the Cowboyss defensive unit since last season.
Can the Cowboys Bounce Back From a Measuring-Stick Game?
However, the Cowboys have much to prove after being deflated in Week 4, losing 42-10 to the 49ers.
Dak Prescott talked about a big downfall for the offensive: the lack of third-down conversions.
“It goes into the third downs and third downs that were really manageable and things that we’ve done been the best at in the league. We weren’t able to do that … That’s why our score looks like that, and that’s why the game looks like it does, and so now to turn the page, to move forward, or it’s going to be a landslide, and that’s the absolutely last thing that’s going to happen,” said Prescott.
The team was 4 of 11 in third downs on Sunday against San Francisco.
This was an uncharacteristic flaw for the Cowboys since they are ranked second in the league with a third-down conversation rate of 49.3%, converting 36 of 73 attempts in five games. They are just behind the Eagles, who have converted 37 of 73 attempts.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Chargers Game Preview
The Cowboys lead the Chargers in their all-time series history 7-5. Dallas must prove they can beat teams without creating self-inflicted wounds.
There has been no sense of consistency within the offense for the last five weeks, and time is crunching for the unit to find its stride before they fall behind.
Although McCarthy says the team’s identity is its defense, the offense needs to score and help the defense play its best by winning the time-of-possession battle and putting points on the board from touchdowns, not just field goals.
Cowboys-Chargers Stats From Inside Edge
Here are some of the biggest stats to watch on Monday night, courtesy of Inside Edge.
- The Cowboys have a third-down conversion rate of 25.7% on 3rd-and-10+ since the 2022 season — fifth-best in the NFL.
- The Chargers defense has allowed a third-down conversion rate of 26.3% on 3rd-and-10+ since the 2022 season — the worst in the NFL.
Analysis: This game will be a battle in third-down conversions for both offenses. The Cowboys are ranked second in the league, while the Chargers are ranked 17th with a 38.9% third-down conversion rate.
Don’t let last week’s game against the 49ers be deceiving for the Cowboys’ offense. All eyes will be on Dallas’ red-zone production, as that’s been the biggest area of concern.
- Justin Herbert (LAC) has been sacked 47 times since the 2022 season — ninth-most of qualified QBs.
- The Cowboys have sacked the quarterback 69 times since the 2022 season — second-most in the NFL.
Analysis: The Cowboys’ defense currently ranks 10th in the league for sacks, totaling 15 within the last five weeks. However, they will still put pressure on the edge rush for Herbert.
Without Leighton Vander Esch in the game and Micah Parsons playing a hybrid role in his absence, it will be interesting to see how the defense will adjust.
- Dak Prescott (DAL) has been sacked 17 times since Week 16 of the 2022 Season — tied for ninth-most of qualified QBs.
- The Chargers have sacked the quarterback 28 times since Week 16 of the 2022 Season — tied for second-most in the NFL.
Analysis: Prescott has nine sacks allowed so far this season, which shows how effective he has been in releasing the ball quickly out of the pocket.
The Chargers have 16 sacks for the season so far, with Khalil Mack leading the team with six for 45 yards. Although Joey Bosa has only three sacks so far this season, he will earn the right to pass rush quickly if allowed.
The Chargers’ defense will be a good test for the Cowboys’ offensive line, which is healthy for the second week. Another week of practice for the starting line can only help them improve, especially with growing the continuity.
- Justin Herbert (LAC) has thrown for 20+ yards on 24 of 241 attempts since Week 16 of the 2022 Season — seventh-best of qualified QBs.
- The Cowboys allowed 20+ yards on 11.7% of attempts since Week 16 of the 2022 Season — third-worst in the NFL.
Analysis: Herbert currently ranks ninth in the NFL for completions over 20+ yards, with 17 so far this season. Overall, he has a 61.1% completion rate on deep balls.
The Cowboys’ defense has a 60.2% completion rate from opposing teams, allowing 80 of 133 attempts. The biggest remaining test will be how the team holds up to the Chargers’ run defense, which ranks ninth in the league with 479 on 113 attempts.
- Tony Pollard (DAL) is averaging 5.1 yards per carry on first down since the 2022 season — tied for second-best of qualified RBs.
- The Chargers have allowed 5.6 yards per carry on first down since the 2022 season — tied for worst in the NFL.
Analysis: Pollard averages 4.2 yards per carry this season and ranks 12th in the league with 340 total rushing yards. But with the Cowboys not having an established ball distribution, it is hard to say how much Pollard will get the ball during this game.
Getting Rico Dowdle more involved should be something McCarthy incorporates, as he is a fast and physical threat that can get yards after contact. This could be clutch for the Cowboys, especially in the red zone.