Chargers sprint past Cowboys to keep playoff hopes alive
LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles Chargers, who spun their wheels offensively for most of the year, kept their playoff hopes alive by roaring past the Dallas Cowboys 28-6 on Thursday.
Quarterback Philip Rivers threw for a total of 434 yards and three second half touchdowns as the Chargers moved to just a half-game behind Baltimore for the final wild-card playoff spot in the American football Conference.
Former running back turned wide receiver Keenan Allen sliced through the Dallas secondary en route to a 42-yard catch-and-run touchdown in one of three NFL contests played on the US Thanksgiving holiday.
For Allen it was a career best day, with the most yards he has gained in a single regular season game.
“It was a lot of fun,” Rivers said. “Any time as a quarterback, you want to play well and throw it to your guys and we did that a heck of a lot today.”
Rivers hit tight end Hunter Henry and wide receivers Tyrell Williams and Allen for touchdowns as the Chargers ran away from the Cowboys.
Dallas snapped a 10-quarter drought without a touchdown early in the fourth quarter when running back Rod Smith bulled his way into the endzone from two yards out to make it 16-6. Dallas went for a twopoint conversion but failed to score.
The Cowboys’ offensive woes continued midway through the fourth quarter when Los Angeles cornerback Desmond King returned an interception 90 yards for a touchdown.
“We’re in a funk, or whatever you want to call it,” said quarterback Dak Prescott, who completed 20 of 27 passes for 179 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.
“It’s not fun to be in. We just have to figure ways to get out of it. Me, individually, and this offence collectively.”
Allen burned the Dallas defense as he caught 11 passes for 172 yards and the touchdown to lead the Chargers who improved to 5-6 on the season.
“We had a great play call,” Allen said. “Phil threw a great ball and after that I just had to make them miss. I used to be a running back. I just knew the safety was coming. Once I caught the ball, I knew I had to get up the field real fast.”
Dallas fell to 5-6, dropping their second home game of the week after Philadelphia handed the Cowboys a 37-9 defeat on Sunday. The Cowboys are 2-4 at home this season.
“Offensively, the performance wasn’t up to par and certainly wasn’t enough to match what they were doing on their side of the ball,” Dallas coach Jason Garrett said. VIKINGS ON A ROLL
Elsewhere, the Minnesota Vikings extended their winning streak to seven games with a 30-23 victory over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
Minnesota, who improved to 9-2, opened up a three-game lead in the NFC North with five games remaining.
“I like this football team,” coach Mike Zimmer said. “They’re a bunch of fighters. They compete. When things go bad, they don’t panic.”
Case Keenum continues to impress with his production at quarterback. Keenum, who started the season as a backup, threw two touchdown passes to Kyle Rudolph and ran for another while completing 21 of 30 passes for 282 yards in Thursday’s game. Keenum has completed at least 70 percent of his passes over the last three games while delivering eight touchdowns.
“Today, he seemed like he was more settled,” Zimmer said. “There are times when he gets a little excited and goes off the (chain) a little bit. Today, he seemed to be in a pretty good mindset.”