Week 14: San Diego Chargers Vs. Dallas Cowboys.

The San Diego Chargers bring their seven game winning streak into Dallas to face the desperate Cowboys.

The Chargers haven't lost since October, have scored at least 21 points in every game during their winning streak and have scored 30 points five time in those seven games.

Quarterback Phillip Rivers will spread the Cowboys' defense out and attack them through the air exploiting one on one matchups. 

Rivers is having an outstanding season going 242 of 374 for 3311 yards, 21 TDs and just six interceptions. Rivers has been hitting tight end Antonio Gates all season and Gates is looking at another Pro Bowl with 67 receptions for 994 yards and four touchdowns. Vincent Jackson is also having a great season with 51 catches for 869 yards and seven TDs. 

The Chargers' running game isn't great statistically as they rank 30th in the NFL averaging 88.7 rushing YPG, and has not had a game where any back has ran for 100+ yards this season, but it's very dangerous. LaDainian Tomlinson leads the team with 168 carries for 561 yards and nine TDs. Darren Sproles is second on the team with 76 carries for 254 yards and one TD he's also a big factor in the passing game racking up 39 catches for 449 yards and three TDs.

The Chargers' 12th ranked defense is led by linebackers Stephen Cooper and former Cowboy Kevin Burnett. The two have 146 tackles between them and 2.5 sacks. Shawn Merriman is also dangerous, although he's having a down season with just 31 tackles and 4 sacks this season.

Linebacker Shaun Phillips (Ankle) and safety Eric Waddle (Knee) have yet to practice this week and are most likely out for this game. This could hurt the Chargers as they're ranked 21st against the run giving up 117.8YPG and Waddle is the Chargers leading tackler.

The secondary makes up for the front seven as the Chargers passing defense give up just 204.4YPG. leading the group is Quentin Jammer who has eight passed defended on the season and two interceptions. Antonio Cromartie who has six passes defended and three interceptions.  

The Cowboys return home in desperation mode for this game after losing to the Giants.

Quarterback Tony Romo had career highs in completions (41), attempts (55) and yards (392) last week. This won't be a career game but Romo should be solid and continue to not turnover the ball.

Romo will have his best targets for this week. Miles Austin (52 receptions, 928 yards and nine TDs) is having a Pro Bowl season and Jason Witten (73 receptions, 774 yards and one TD) has come on strong since Thanksgiving. Roy Williams hooked up with Romo for two TDs last well and would love to have a couple more this week.

Backup tight end Martellus Bennet will be out for this game with concussion like symptoms.

Last week Romo had no running game to support him, that won't be the case this week. Expect the Cowboys to run a lot. The Chargers don't have a great run defense and they still use the defensive scheme that Wade Phillips brought to their team as a coordinator so he'll know how to attack it.

Marion Barber will want to redeem himself after gaining just 36 yards on 15 carries and fumbling last week against the Giants. Felix Jones had just six yards on six carries and will want to bring his big play ability to the game.

Safety Ken Hamlin will be out again this week, but everyone else on the defense will be there and they'll need to stop the big play ability of the Chargers passing offense.

This is the start of a long two games for the Cowboys' secondary. Terence Newman, Orlando Scandrick, Mike Jenkins and others will have to play their best games of the season over the next two weeks. Last week the secondary let Steve Smith run all over them, they can't allow Jackson and Gates to do that. 

The Cowboys ninth ranked rushing defense will have to stop Tomlinson and Sproles and make the Chargers one-dimensional so they can blitz and pressure Rivers. Keith Brooking will lead the front seven with his 85 tackles and three sacks, along with Bradie James (85 tackles) and DeMarcus Ware (47 tackles, nine sacks)

The Cowboys need this game bad, there's no other way to put it, if they can come out early and put some points on the board they have a chance to end the Chargers seven game winning streak, but they have to play their best, no turnovers or stupid penalties and they can't fall behind. The problem is those are things the Cowboys usually have to work around in order to win.

The Chargers will spread the Cowboys defense out and attack them through the air, so the 'Boys better stop the Chargers on third downs or it'll be a long day. Romo will see a lot of blitzes, but the run game should take some of the pressure off of him.

I can't see the Cowboys winning this game. They dropped a important game against the Giants and now the pressure is on, and in the past they haven't come through in this spot, especially in December. Chargers 28-21.