What to watch for, bold predictions for Cowboys at Chargers
All the need-to-know information for this week’s matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers.
What to watch for
According to ESPN’s Shelly Smith, this week the Chargers will work on getting running back Austin Ekeler more involved in the passing game.
“Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will be looking for Austin Ekeler through the air this week after the running back didn’t have a catch in Week 1. Los Angeles coach Brandon Staley has said the team needs to work Ekeler into the passing game,” she wrote.
Last year was Ecklers first official year as the San Diego Chargers primary running back. Unlike previous seasons, the chargers utilized him on the ground and through the air. He finished with 933 yards combined on the ground and through the air and a total of three touchdowns. Eckler was sidelined for six games with a hamstring injury and a hyperextended knee, though. With an 81% catch career percentage, expect for the Chargers to utilize his catching ability against the Cowboys.
“On the other side, the Cowboys need a big day from their offense to avoid an 0-2 start,” Smith concluded.
Heading into this game the Cowboys will be without their two starting edge rushers, DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory. This is an area of concern for Dallas before losing both ends. With the team lacking of a pass rush, it’ll be up to Dak Prescott and the Dallas offense to save the team from an 0-2 start.
Bold predictions
Todd Archer of ESPN took care of the bold prediction for this game, and he sees the Cowboys and Prescott offense not following their current trend.
“Dak Prescott will not throw for 400 yards. Not bold enough? In the past four games that he has started and finished, he has thrown for at least 403 yards. He is the first player in league history with four 400-yard games in a five-game span,” Archer wrote. “He has eight 400-yard passing games since 2016, most in the NFL. But the Cowboys are just 1-3 in those four games and know that is not a long-term formula for success. Maybe he throws for just 399 yards instead.”
The Cowboys have not fared well in the past four games that Prescott has thrown for over 400 yards. With a record of 1-3 over those games, one can conclude the Cowboys might need to switch things up. On the other hand, one can easily suggest that those performances were needed by their quarterback to keep them in the game. In the three games Prescott did throw over 400 yards last year, Dallas had to overcome three turnovers in each game.
This year’s game against the Buccaneers was the only one of the games in which the Cowboys won the turnover battle. And in all four games, Dallas’ defense gave up at least 400 yards of total offense.
Both writers see the Cowboys losing this battle and starting the season 0-2. Archer sees the game 27-23 in favor of the Chargers. and Smith sees it 34-23. However, FPI prediction considers this game a virtual coin flip, with a slight nod to the Chargers at a 50.2% chance of winning.