Instant Reactions: Cowboys fall to Chargers, losing streak extends to three games

The Dallas Cowboys dropped their home finale of 2025 to the Los Angeles Chargers, 34-17, and fell to 6-8-1, finishing with an overall home record of 3-4-1 on the season.

Dallas was mathematically eliminated from the playoffs on Saturday after the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Washington Commanders 29-18 to become the first team to win the division back-to-back years since they did it back in 2003 and 2004.

Dallas will have a short week as they head to the nation’s capital to take on the Commanders on Christmas Day.

Instant Reactions

Ali Jawad

Dallas, despite being knocked out of postseason play, wanted to play to win, and today they did the exact opposite in the 34-17 loss.

The offense led by Dak Prescott did have some big plays and moments, most notably from George Pickens, who, after two quiet games, bounced back to finish with his fifth 100-yard receiving performance of the season and was on the receiving end of a 38-yard touchdown in the second quarter, his ninth score of the year.

CeeDee Lamb, who finished with five receptions for 44 yards, joined Hall of famer Michael Irvin as the only receivers in franchise history to record 1,000 yards receiving or more in five consecutive seasons.

Prescott finished the afternoon throwing for 244 yards and two touchdowns.

Ryan Flournoy, who left the game early with a knee injury, recorded his fourth receiving touchdown of the season, which occurred on the game’s opening drive.

Altogether, the Cowboys now have a 4,000-yard passer, two 1,000-yard receivers, and a 1,000-yard rusher.

None of it matters when the defense played the way it did today and all season long.

Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ decision to call plays from the coaches’ booth wasn’t much of a factor as the defense still allowed 34 points, over 450 yards, 24 first downs, and 7-of-11 third down conversions to Justin Herbert and a Chargers offense that eclipsed the 400-yard mark for the first time in eight weeks.

Even the return of Trevon Diggs did nothing to spark this unit.

It’s as clear as ever that owner Jerry Jones, who put the defense on notice earlier in the week, needs to make serious changes to this unit if they want any chance at being competitive in 2026.

Clarence Hill

The gross mismanagement of the Cowboys roster and coaching staff was on full display in a 34-17 loss against the Chargers at AT&T Stadium.

Moving defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus from the sideline to the booth made no sense, considering the Cowboys had already been eliminated from the playoffs, rendering the final three games, starting with the Chargers, meaningless.

Coach Brian Schottenheimer said he did it to make faster adjustments.
It made no difference to the Cowboys’ defense, which has been one of the worst in the NFL all season and offered little resistance against the Chargers.

The Chargers scored touchdowns on their first three possessions and got points on five of their first eight.

The return of cornerback Trevon Diggs made no difference as the defense continued to struggle to get to the quarterback.

A Cowboys offense that remains one of the league’s most prolific and efficient. Quarterback Dak Prescott was on his game early on, throwing dimes for touchdowns to George Pickens and Ryan Flournoy.

Prescott finished with 244 yards and two touchdowns.

Pickens returned to form to get his fifth 100-yard game of the season. The Cowboys now have a 4000-yard passer, two 1000-yard receivers in Pickens and CeeDee Lamb, and a 1000-yard rusher in Javonte Williams.

They are essentially empty stats because of the Cowboys’ abject defense, which has them out of the playoffs for the second straight season and has extended their Super Bowl drought to 30 seasons since their last title in 1995.

The Cowboys (6-8-1) are now riding a three-game losing streak into the final two games of the season. They play at the Washington Commanders on Christmas Day on a short week.