Cowboys Squander Opportunites, Lose To Chargers 20-17

The Cowboys needed to play with a sense of urgency and desperation to win at home against San Diego this week.

Instead  mistakes in coverage, a four and out at the goal line and a untimely missed field goal gave the Cowboys another loss in December and knocked them out of first place in the NFC East.

The Cowboys got off to a good start when Felix Jones (10 carries, 51 yards) ran back the opening kickoff to Dallas' 41-yard line. The Cowboys drove in Charger territory but were finally stopped and Nick Folk hit a 31-yard field goal to give the Cowboys a 3-0 lead. 

The Chargers got the ball and moved right down the field to the Dallas 40-yard line when safety Gerald Sensabaugh was called for a 38-yard pass interference penalty, giving the Chargers the ball at the two. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson (21 carries, 50 yards and one TD) ran the ball in for a TD two plays later. The Chargers then added a field goal on their next drive.

The Cowboys took the ball with 10 minutes to go in the second quarter and drove 68 yards (all on runs) to the Chargers 1-yard line, but Marion Barber (14 carries, 47 yards) was stuffed four times and the Cowboys turned the ball over on downs. 

However, Phillip Rivers (21-32, 272 yards, one TD, one interception) threw an interception to Terence Newman at the Chargers 25-yard line, giving the Cowboys a second chance before the half. Unfortunately, Nick Folk missed a 42-yard FG and the half ended 10-3 Chargers. 

The Cowboys scored first in the second half on a 99-yard drive that ended with a one yard TD catch by Miles Austin.

The score was tied going into the fourth quarter, but that's  when the Cowboys lost their best pass rusher.

On second-and-seven Rivers dropped back for a pass and DeMarcus Ware was rushing and as the play expired he ran into Chargers right tackle Brandyn Dombrowski head first. Ware was carted off the field and taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons but was released late last night with just a sprained neck.

After Ware was taken off the field, the Chargers faced a third-and-12 but Rivers connected with Vincent Jackson (seven catches, 120 yards) for a 39-yard pass and on the next play tight end Antonio Gates (four catches, 44 yards, one TD) caught a 14 yard TD pass that put the Chargers up 20-10.

After the Cowboys went three and out on the ensuing drive, the Chargers added a field goal and the Cowboys scored a TD with just three seconds left in the game to close the gap.

The Cowboys have lost their second game in a row because they weren't able to close out the half for the second straight week. Nick Folk has missed at least one field goal in each of the last five games.

Tony Romo (19-30 for 249 yards and two TDs) played well again this week and so far this December has not committed a turnover and is quieting critics about his performances in the Christmas month.

Roy Williams and Miles Austin were the leading receivers for the Cowboys. Williams caught four passes for 74 yards and Austin caught six balls for 71 yards and a TD.

The Cowboys now head to New Orleans to take on the undefeated Saints without DeMarcus Ware, who will miss at least one game. This could mean a third loss this December and the end of the Cowboys season.