Zuerlein’s Kick Knocks Out Chargers

View from the Press Box at SoFi Stadium

By Tim Peterson

(Inglewood) – Greg Zuerlein kicked a 56-yard field goal as the clock hit zeroes to give the Dallas Cowboys a 20-17 win over the Chargers Sunday before 70,240 fans at SoFi Stadium.

The Cowboys got the ball back after the Chargers kicked a field goal to tie it at 17 with 3:54 left in the fourth quarter. They stalled at the Charger 38 yard line but 56 yards was still within striking distance for Greg “The Leg”. He then proved it by booting it right through the uprights as time ran out. 

The Cowboys jumped put to a 14-3 lead and never trailed in the game but were tied at 14 and 17.   

Dallas struck first driving 78 yards on 15 plays on the first possession. Tony Pollard scored on a 4-yard run for a 7-0 lead.  

Justin Herbert was intercepted on the Chargers opening drive by Trevor Diggs but the Cowboys turned it right back over as Dak Prescott was picked by Asante Samuel Jr. as well.

The interception resulted in a 46-yard field goal by LA’s Tristan Vizcaino to make it 7-3

Dallas marched 75 yards on just 7 plays on their next possession with CeeDee Lamb making several big plays. Ezekiel capped it with a 4-yard run with 17 seconds left in the first quarter for a 14-3 lead.   

In the second quarter the Chargers drove 75 yards on 10 plays. Herbert connected with Mike Williams on 12-yard touchdown pass. LA went for two and converted on a run by Austin Ekeler and with 9:49 left in the first half the Chargers were within 14-11.

Vizcaino went “Doink” hitting the upright and missing a 44 yard field goal for the Chargers with 3 seconds left in the half.

After a penalty the Cowboys had one shot from their own 49. Prescott hit Lamb who raced downfield and pitched the ball to Elliot. But Elliot was ran out of bounds at the three yard line as the clock ran out. The Cowboys took the 3 point lead into halftime.

The Chargers opened the third quarter with a 33-yard field goal by Vizcaino to tie it at 14.

Damontae Kazee intercepted Herbert in the end zone with just 5 seconds left in the third quarter to thwart a Chargers threat.

On the next possession the Cowboys moved the ball down the field before being stopped at the Charger 16 yard line. But Zuerlein kicked a 34-yard field goal for a 17-14 lead with 10:25 left in the fourth quarter.

Vizcaino kicked a 29-yard field goal on the Chargers next series to knot it up at 17 with 3:54 left.

Zuerlein then won it on the last possession. A roar in the stadium ensued in a crowd that was at least 50 percent Cowboy fans.

For the Cowboys Prescott was 23 of 37 for 237 yards, with one interception. Lamb and 8 catches for 81 yards. Pollard (109 yards and a touchdown) and Elliot combined for 190 yards on the ground.

Herbert completed 31 of 41 for the Chargers for 338 yards and a touchdown but did throw two interceptions. Williams was his favorite target with 7 receptions for 91 yards and a score and Keenan Allen had four catches for 108 yards. Ekeler had 54 yards rushing on 9 carries.

The Chargers and the Cowboys are both now 1-1 on the season.

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