Who Won the Monday Night Football Game Last Night: The Dallas Cowboys emerged victorious over the Los Angeles Chargers with a narrow 20-17 win in the October 16, 2023, Monday Night Football game. Both teams fought hard in a tightly contested battle at SoFi Stadium, with the Cowboys showing resilience in the final minutes to secure the win. Below is a detailed breakdown of the game along with a key summary.
Game Summary and Key Stats
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Final Score | Dallas Cowboys 20 – 17 Los Angeles Chargers |
| Location | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California |
| Key Moments | Prescott’s 18-yard rushing TD; Cooks’ 2-yard receiving TD |
| Decisive Play | Stephon Gilmore’s late interception |
| Top Performers | Dak Prescott: 272 yards passing, 1 TD; Justin Herbert: 227 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
| Penalties | Cowboys: 11 for 85 yards; Chargers: 9 for 79 yards |
| Cowboys Record | 4-2 |
| Chargers Record | 2-3 |
Detailed Game Analysis
The Cowboys’ win was a story of timely execution, strong defense, and standout performances. Despite penalties and some offensive missteps, Dallas managed to pull through against a spirited Chargers team.
First Half Recap:
The Chargers struck first with a 1-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Justin Herbert to Keenan Allen, giving them an early lead. However, the Cowboys responded quickly, as quarterback Dak Prescott ran for an 18-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-1 play to level the score at 7-7. Both offenses struggled after that initial burst, with penalties and defensive stops defining much of the game.
The first half ended with the Cowboys taking a slim 10-7 lead after a 32-yard field goal by Brandon Aubrey just before halftime.
Second Half Highlights:
In the third quarter, both teams traded field goals, tying the game at 10-10. The Cowboys opened the fourth quarter with a big 60-yard reception by running back Tony Pollard, which set up Prescott’s 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandin Cooks. This gave the Cowboys a 17-10 lead.
However, a costly special teams misstep by Dallas allowed the Chargers to tie the game. A muffed punt recovery gave Los Angeles possession deep in Cowboys’ territory, and Herbert capitalized with a touchdown pass to Gerald Everett, tying the game at 17-17.
Decisive Moments in the Fourth Quarter:
With just over two minutes left, the Cowboys drove downfield and took the lead with a 39-yard field goal from Brandon Aubrey, making it 20-17. On the following Chargers drive, the Cowboys’ defense stepped up. Pass rusher Micah Parsons pressured Herbert into a hurried throw, which resulted in a game-sealing interception by cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
Post-Game Impact and Records
The Cowboys improved to 4-2 with the win, giving them momentum going into their bye week. Prescott finished with 272 passing yards and a touchdown while also leading the team in rushing with 40 yards. CeeDee Lamb was another standout, catching all seven of his targets for 117 yards.
For the Chargers, the loss drops them to 2-3. Herbert passed for 227 yards and two touchdowns but also threw a critical interception late in the game. Penalties plagued both teams, with Dallas committing 11 penalties for 85 yards, while the Chargers incurred nine penalties for 79 yards.
Looking Ahead
The Cowboys head into their bye week before facing another set of tough matchups later in the season. The Chargers, on the other hand, face a daunting challenge next week as they take on the Kansas City Chiefs. This loss emphasizes the need for the Chargers to clean up penalties and capitalize on key opportunities to avoid slipping further behind in a competitive AFC West.
The game served as a classic Monday Night Football encounter, with both teams delivering exciting moments despite offensive struggles. Ultimately, Dallas showed resilience, earning a much-needed win to stay competitive in the NFC.