Cowboys (3-2) at Chargers (2-2)
Monday, 8:15 p.m. EDT, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California TV: ESPN/ABC
Spread (BetMGM):
Cowboys by 2
Cowboys’ keys to victory: Offensively, the Cowboys need to keep a balanced approach. RB Tony Pollard is one of the most efficient players at his position, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. By effectively running the ball will expose the worst pass defense in the league, which allows an average of 299.8 yards per game. On the other side of the ball, the Cowboys need to keep doing what they’ve done best by forcing turnovers, including seven interceptions.
Chargers’ keys to victory: Winning through the air won’t be easy for the Chargers, who face a Cowboys pass defense that ranks second, only allowing an average of 169 yards per game. It remains to be seen if RB Austin Ekeler will be back in action after dealing with an ankle injury from Week 1. But if he is, Ekeler will need to provide a boost. Defensively, LA needs to get pressure on QB Dak Prescott early and often, as the Chargers are tied for the fourth-most sacks with 16.
Matchup to watch: Cowboys LB Micah Parsons vs. Chargers OTs Rashawn Slater and Trey Pipkins. Slater and Pipkins recently faced another premier pass rusher in the Raiders’ Maxx Crosby, who had two sacks and two tackles for loss against the Chargers. Now they draw another tough test in Parsons. Parsons is a gamewrecker, and in order to give Justin Herbert time, Slater and Pipkins need to do better.
Who wins? This has the potential to be game of the week between high-powered offenses. The Chargers’ rest from the bye week gives them a slight advantage.
Chargers, 30-27