How the Dallas Cowboys beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-17 on Monday Night Football

It wasn’t pretty.

But the Dallas Cowboys ain’t giving it back.

The Cowboys bounced back form a disappointing loss with a 20-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers after Dak Prescott led Dallas to a go-ahead field goal late in the fourth quarter.

Defensive heroics by Micah Parsons and Stephon Gilmore on the Chargers final drive sealed the victory that pushed the Cowboys to 4-2 going into their bye week.

Brandon Aubrey’s 39-yard kick with 2 minutes, 19 seconds left was followed by the best defensive stand of the season.

A Parsons sack was followed by an interception from Gilmore, wiping away the stench from last week’s 42-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

The Cowboys are now 10-1 after a loss since 2021 under coach Mike McCarthy.

After their bye week the Cowboys will play the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 29.

What we learned in the Cowboys 20-17 victory vs. Chargers:

CeeDee Lamb gets untracked, Gallup still struggling

After a week of talking and analyzing the frustrations of No. 1 receiver CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys made a point of getting him the ball early and often against the Chargers.

Lamb had five catches 84 yards in the first half en route to 117 for the game.

Lamb had back-to-back receptions for 11 and 23 yards on a nine play, 75-yard touchdown drive.

And when the Cowboys needed a key third down completion the fourth quarter, it was Lamb who came up big to continue a drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Prescott to Brandin Cooks, which gave the Cowboys a 17-10 lead.

And when the Cowboys needed a key third down after the Chargers tied the game, Prescott hit Lamb for 18 with 4:17 left in the game.

An 11-yard pass to Cooks on third down continued the drive that ended with a 39-yard field goal by Aubrey, giving the Cowboys a 20-17 lead with 2:19 left.

The Cowboys didn’t have more to show for themselves on offense early because of the continued struggles for receiver Michael Gallup, who led the team with seven targets but only had 2 receptions for 19 yards. He had two drops, including a ball that went through his hands in the end zone.

How the defense handled Kellen Moore, Chargers offense

Much was made about Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore bid for revenge against the Cowboys after getting fired by McCarthy last January.

Former Cowboys receiver Simi Fehoko said Moore wanted to score 100 against the Cowboys if he could.

The Chargers had a perfect opening drive, using a great punt return by former TCU star Derius Davis and a short field to go 42 yards on five plays to take a 7-0 lead.

But it was tough sledding for Chargers and quarterback Justin Herbert for much of the game

A Chargers offense that came into the game ranked seventh in scoring and fifth overall had problems getting in the end zone.

The defense turned them back on fourth down at the goal line.

And Deron Bland dropped would would have been a game-sealing pick six in the fourth quarter.

But on the ensuing punt, the Chargers were given a gift when the ball bounced over KaVontae Turpin’s head. Jalen Tolbert thought Turpin touched the ball and jumped on it, but it was recovered by the Chargers.

After a pass interference penalty on Gilmore, Herbert hit tight end Gerald Everette for a 1-yard touchdown pass to tie the game.

But when the Cowboys took the lead late in the fourth quarter, the defense came through with sack from Parsons and interception by Gilmore.

Cowboys still hurting themselves with undisciplined penalties

The Cowboys continue to be their own worst enemy with penalties, especially pre-snap penalties. The Cowboys had 11 penalties for 85 yards on Monday.

Defensive end Dante Fowler lined up in the neutral zone to negate a third-down incomplete pass.

Jayron Kearse had a personal foul for the second straight week to give the Chargers a first down. This time it was a helmet hit on the Herbert.

Defensive end Sam Williams gave the Chargers a first down with illegal hands to the face.

And linebacker Tyrus Wheat was in on motion on a punt, negating an opportunity to pin the Chargers deep.

They Cowboys were also flagged for having 12 men on the field on defense.

That was all in the first half.

Holding penalties on Lamb and Tyler Smith, his second of the game, nearly thwarted a fourth-quarter scoring drive.