The Los Angeles Chargers beat the Dallas Cowboys 34-17 at AT&T Stadium on December 21, 2025, in Week 16 of the NFL season. The Chargers vs Dallas cowboys match player stats were led by Justin Herbert’s 300 passing yards, while Quentin Johnston went over 100 receiving yards and George Pickens led Dallas with 130.

Dallas stayed with Los Angeles through the first half and trailed only 21-17 at halftime. The game changed after the break, when the Chargers scored 13 unanswered points and stopped Dallas twice on fourth down before forcing a late fumble. Los Angeles moved to 11-4, while Dallas fell to 6-8-1.

Chargers vs Cowboys Match Overview

The game started at 12:02 p.m. CST in Arlington. AT&T Stadium’s retractable roof was closed, and the official gamebook listed an outside temperature of 59 degrees with cloudy conditions. Paid attendance was 92,740.

Los Angeles finished the game with control of both the scoreboard and possession. Dallas produced two touchdown passes in the opening half but never scored again after George Pickens’ second-quarter touchdown.

Pre-Match Context

The Chargers entered Week 16 at 10-4 after three straight wins. They had beaten the Raiders, Eagles, and Chiefs and were positioned in the AFC playoff race. A victory in Dallas was important to their postseason path and also kept pressure on Denver in the AFC West.

Dallas entered at 6-7-1. The Cowboys had already been eliminated from playoff contention after Philadelphia defeated Washington the previous day. They were also dealing with changes on the offensive line, including Tyler Smith starting at left tackle and T.J. Bass moving into the starting lineup at left guard.

Injuries also mattered before kickoff. Dallas was without DaRon Bland and Tyler Guyton, while Quinnen Williams was inactive. The Chargers ruled out Derius Davis and RJ Mickens before the game, and Bud Dupree and Trey Pipkins III were also inactive.

Quarter-by-Quarter Score

Dallas and Los Angeles were tied after one quarter. The Chargers then took a four-point halftime lead before holding Dallas scoreless for the entire second half.

Quarter-by-Quarter Game Breakdown

First Quarter: Both Offenses Score on Their Opening Drive

Dallas took the opening kickoff and moved 79 yards in 10 plays. Dak Prescott completed six of his first seven throws and finished the possession with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Flournoy. The drive gave Dallas an early 7-0 lead and showed that the Cowboys could move the ball through the air.

Los Angeles answered immediately. Herbert moved the Chargers 65 yards in six plays and found Quentin Johnston for a 23-yard touchdown. Johnston secured the pass near the left side of the end zone.

That response prevented Dallas from building an early two-score margin. The first quarter ended 7-7 with neither defense having forced a punt.

Second Quarter: Herbert Gives Los Angeles the Halftime Lead

Dallas reached the red zone again early in the second quarter. A potential second touchdown to Flournoy was erased by a holding penalty, so Brandon Aubrey kicked a 33-yard field goal for a 10-7 lead.

The Chargers responded with an 87-yard possession. Herbert found Ladd McConkey for a 25-yard touchdown, putting Los Angeles ahead 14-10. Dallas answered in only four plays when Prescott connected with Pickens for a 38-yard touchdown.

Los Angeles controlled the final 7:49 of the half with a 16-play, 81-yard drive. Herbert converted key third downs before scoring on a 1-yard quarterback run with 19 seconds left.

That drive sent the Chargers into halftime ahead 21-17 and kept Dallas from getting another meaningful possession before the break.

Third Quarter: Dallas Is Stopped on Fourth-and-1

Los Angeles received the second-half kickoff and added a 37-yard Cameron Dicker field goal. The Cowboys then produced the game’s first punt on their next possession.

Dallas got another chance later in the quarter and moved from its own 19-yard line to the Chargers’ 16. Prescott connected with Pickens and CeeDee Lamb during the drive.

The key snap came on fourth-and-1. Hunter Luepke was stopped for no gain, with Jamaree Caldwell and Da’Shawn Hand involved in the tackle.

Instead of Dallas cutting into a 24-17 deficit, Los Angeles took possession. That stop became the first of several second-half possessions where the Cowboys reached a point of decision but came away without points.

Fourth Quarter: Chargers Pull Away

The Chargers carried their next possession into the fourth quarter. Early in the period, Herbert escaped pressure and ran 34 yards into Dallas territory. The drive eventually produced Dicker’s 27-yard field goal and a 27-17 lead.

Dallas then faced fourth-and-10 at its own 46 and failed to convert. Los Angeles used the short field, with Johnston making a 25-yard catch on third-and-9 before Omarion Hampton finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run.

Dallas brought in Joe Milton III after falling behind 34-17. Milton scrambled for 12 yards on one play but lost a fumble after Derwin James forced the ball loose. Tuli Tuipulotu recovered it.

The Cowboys never scored in the second half, allowing Los Angeles to turn a four-point halftime lead into a 17-point final margin.

Chargers vs Cowboys Team Stats Comparison

Los Angeles gained more yards, ran more plays, and held the ball for almost nine minutes longer. The Chargers also created more first downs and performed better on third down.

Dallas quarterbacks produced 255 gross passing yards, but the official team total fell to 249 net passing yards because Prescott was sacked once for a six-yard loss. Herbert was not sacked.

Key Numbers That Shaped the Result

Dallas Went Scoreless After Halftime

Dallas had four meaningful second-half possessions before its final snap. They ended with a punt, a fourth-down stop at the Chargers’ 16, another turnover on downs at the Dallas 46, and Milton’s lost fumble.

That sequence mattered more than the Cowboys’ clean first-half passing numbers. Los Angeles did not need a turnover-heavy defensive performance. It repeatedly ended Dallas drives before they reached the scoreboard.

Los Angeles Kept Herbert Clean

The Cowboys finished without a sack despite entering the game against an offensive line that had allowed frequent pressure during the season. Herbert’s ability to stay upright helped Los Angeles convert seven of 11 third downs.

Dallas, by comparison, allowed one sack. The difference in pressure helped the Chargers run longer possessions and avoid putting their quarterback behind the chains.

The Chargers Scored Touchdowns on Their First Three Drives

Los Angeles opened with three straight touchdown possessions of 65, 87, and 81 yards. Those drives forced Dallas to keep answering even though the Cowboys were moving the ball effectively themselves.

The third possession was especially important because it lasted 7:49 and left Dallas only 19 seconds before halftime. That allowed Los Angeles to turn a 17-14 deficit into a halftime lead without giving Prescott a realistic chance to respond.

Los Angeles Chargers Full Box Score

Herbert supplied 300 passing yards, but the Chargers also produced 152 yards on the ground. Four players carried the ball, and eight different players caught at least one pass.

Chargers Passing

Herbert completed 79.3 percent of his attempts and finished with a 132.8 passer rating. He also avoided a sack, allowing Los Angeles to finish with the same gross and net passing total.

Chargers Rushing

Hampton handled the largest workload and finished the scoring. Herbert added the longest Chargers run, his 34-yard scramble in the fourth quarter.

Chargers Receiving

Johnston supplied the downfield production, while Allen caught every pass thrown his way. McConkey’s touchdown gave the Chargers their first lead of the afternoon.

Chargers Kicking

Dicker converted from 37 and 27 yards and made all four extra points. His two second-half field goals helped move Dallas from a one-score deficit to a two-score deficit.

Chargers Returns

Los Angeles had no punt-return yardage. McConkey recorded a fair catch on Dallas’ only punt.

Chargers Punting

The Chargers punted only once because their first three possessions ended in touchdowns and three of their next possessions produced points.

Chargers Defense

Tuipulotu’s sack cost Dallas six yards. James forced the late fumble that Tuipulotu recovered and returned 11 yards.

Chargers Fumbles

Los Angeles finished without a giveaway. That helped preserve its advantage as Dallas searched for second-half possessions.

Dallas Cowboys Full Box Score

Prescott produced two touchdowns without an interception, but Dallas’ passing success was concentrated in the first half. The Cowboys rushed for 91 yards and did not score a rushing touchdown.

Cowboys Passing

Prescott posted a 116.5 passer rating. Milton entered late after the outcome had moved beyond one possession.

Cowboys Rushing

Williams and Davis combined for 57 yards on 17 carries. Dallas therefore relied heavily on Prescott and the passing game when it needed to answer Los Angeles.

Cowboys Receiving

Pickens was responsible for Dallas’ largest receiving plays. Lamb reached 1,000 receiving yards for the season during the first quarter, but Los Angeles prevented him from producing a touchdown.

Cowboys Kicking

Aubrey’s 33-yard field goal put Dallas ahead early in the second quarter. The Cowboys did not attempt another field goal after halftime.

Cowboys Returns

Turpin handled all six Dallas kickoff returns. He had a long return of 31 yards.

Cowboys Punting

Dallas did not punt until its first possession of the second half. Before that point, its three main first-half drives had ended with a touchdown, field goal, and touchdown.

Cowboys Defense

Dallas recorded five quarterback hits but could not turn any into a sack. That allowed Herbert to keep the Chargers’ passing game on schedule.

Cowboys Fumbles

Milton’s late fumble was Dallas’ only lost turnover. It came after James knocked the ball loose at the end of a scramble.

Top Performers

Justin Herbert

Herbert controlled the game through the air and added a score on the ground. He completed 23 of 29 passes, was not intercepted, and was not sacked. His two touchdown passes came in the first half, when Los Angeles matched every Dallas scoring push.

The 34-yard scramble in the fourth quarter also changed field position during a drive that ended with a field goal. By avoiding negative plays and keeping third downs manageable, Herbert helped the Chargers hold the ball longer and keep Dallas off the field after halftime.

Quentin Johnston

Johnston gave Los Angeles its first touchdown and later helped close the game. His 23-yard touchdown catch tied the score in the first quarter, and he finished with 104 yards on four receptions.

His 50-yard gain was the longest Chargers reception of the day. In the fourth quarter, Johnston converted a third-and-9 with a 25-yard catch on the drive that ended with Omarion Hampton’s touchdown. Those catches gave Herbert a downfield target and helped Los Angeles turn two key possessions into points.

Omarion Hampton

Hampton led the Chargers on the ground with 85 yards on 16 carries. His workload became more important as Los Angeles tried to protect its second-half lead and shorten the game.

He averaged 5.3 yards per carry and finished the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. That drive began in Dallas territory after a failed fourth down. Hampton’s carries helped Los Angeles use the short field without giving the Cowboys another quick possession.

Dak Prescott

Prescott kept Dallas level with Los Angeles through most of the first half. He completed 21 of 30 passes for 244 yards, threw two touchdowns, and did not have an interception.

His opening touchdown pass to Ryan Flournoy finished a long drive, while his 38-yard strike to George Pickens restored a Dallas lead in the second quarter. The problem came after halftime. Dallas produced no points on its final possessions, so Prescott’s clean passing line was not enough to offset stalled fourth-down drives and a limited rushing attack.

George Pickens

Pickens was Dallas’ main downfield target and finished with 130 receiving yards on seven catches. His 38-yard touchdown in the second quarter put the Cowboys back in front.

He added gains of 22 and 9 yards on the third-quarter drive that reached the Chargers’ 16-yard line. That possession ended on fourth down, so the yardage did not lead to points. Pickens still accounted for more than half of Prescott’s passing yards and gave Dallas its best source of chunk plays throughout the game.

Starting Lineups

Starting Offenses

Starting Defenses

Injury Report

Pre-Game Injury Status

Both teams carried important injury questions into Sunday. Johnston, Elijah Molden, and Teair Tart were questionable for Los Angeles but played, while Dupree and Pipkins were inactive.

Quinnen Williams’ absence reduced Dallas’ options in the middle of the defensive front. Johnston’s availability mattered for Los Angeles because he became its leading receiver.

In-Game Injuries

The game also produced several injury exits. Dallas lost DeMarvion Overshown and Ryan Flournoy, while the Chargers lost Jamaree Salyer and Donte Jackson.

Overshown’s departure came in the first half. Dallas was already without Williams, so the Cowboys had to make further defensive adjustments as the game continued.

2025 Season Series and Chargers-Cowboys Head-to-Head

This was the 14th regular-season meeting between the franchises. Dallas entered the game with an 8-5 advantage in the all-time series, so the Chargers’ victory narrowed that margin to 8-6.

The previous two regular-season meetings had both ended 20-17 in favor of Dallas, first in 2021 and again in 2023. The 2025 result ended that two-game Cowboys run in the series.

Conference Standings After the Game

Los Angeles finished Sunday at 11-4 and held the No. 5 position in the AFC playoff picture. Dallas dropped to 6-8-1 and sat 11th in the NFC after its postseason elimination.

The Chargers remained behind Denver in the AFC West but stayed in wild-card position. Dallas no longer had a path to the NFC playoffs.

Broadcast and Streaming Information

The game aired nationally on FOX in its assigned markets, with NFL+ carrying the live local feed on supported mobile devices. Adam Amin handled play-by-play with Drew Brees as analyst and Kristina Pink on the sideline.

Conclusion

The result kept Los Angeles moving toward the postseason while preserving its chance to improve its AFC position over the final weeks. More importantly for the Chargers, the offense produced sustained drives without depending on turnovers or short possessions. Their next game brought Houston to SoFi Stadium on December 27, creating another matchup with playoff implications.

Dallas left the game already eliminated and with its focus shifting toward finishing the season and evaluating the roster for 2026. The Cowboys faced a short turnaround before visiting Washington on Christmas Day. The second-half scoring problems and defensive injuries gave Dallas several areas to address as its season moved into its final two games.

For more match updates, read: Phoenix Mercury vs Las Vegas Aces Match Player Stats

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the Chargers vs Dallas Cowboys match player stats?

Justin Herbert threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns, while Quentin Johnston had 104 receiving yards. George Pickens led Dallas with 130 receiving yards and one touchdown.

What was the final score of Chargers vs Cowboys?

The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 34-17 on December 21, 2025, after outscoring Dallas 13-0 during the second half.

How many yards did Justin Herbert have against Dallas?

Justin Herbert completed 23 of 29 passes for 300 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed eight times for 42 yards and another touchdown.

How did Dak Prescott play against the Chargers?

Dak Prescott completed 21 of 30 passes for 244 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Dallas, however, failed to score after halftime.

Who had the most receiving yards in Chargers vs Cowboys?

George Pickens led all players with 130 receiving yards on seven catches. Quentin Johnston led Los Angeles with 104 yards and one touchdown.

What was the biggest turning point in the game?

Dallas’ failed fourth-and-1 at the Chargers’ 16-yard line was critical. The Cowboys could have cut into a seven-point deficit but instead turned the ball over.

Where was Chargers vs Cowboys played and how was it broadcast?

The game was played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. FOX televised the matchup, while NFL+ provided live local-market streaming on supported devices.