Final2021 Week 2

SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA

Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Chargers, Week 2 2021

Dallas Cowboys

AwayWon

20

Los Angeles Chargers

Home

17

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Cowboys1400620
Chargers383317

DAL 20LAC 17 Final

  • Passing leader

    Justin Herbert

    LAC · QB

    16.7PPR pts

    31/41, 338 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Tony Pollard

    DAL · RB

    23.0PPR pts

    13 ATT, 109 YDS, 1 TD, 3 REC, 31 REC YDS

  • Chargers leader

    Austin Ekeler

    LAC · RB

    22.5PPR pts

    9 ATT, 54 YDS, 9 REC, 61 REC YDS

  • Defensive playmaker

    Trevon Diggs

    DAL

    1 INT, 6 TKL

Cowboys 20, Chargers 17: Dallas holds off Los Angeles

Dallas led 14–11 at halftime to win 20–17. The Cowboys finished with a narrow 419–408 edge in total offense and averaged 7.0 yards per play.

The gap showed up everywhere. The Chargers went 5-for-12 on third down and committed two turnovers.

Key advantages

  • +0.4 yards/play DAL 7.0 · LAC 6.6
  • +1 turnover margin DAL 1 · LAC 2 turnovers
  • +11 total yards DAL 419 · LAC 408

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Cowboys Won

Dallas won the efficiency, turnover, and third-down battles.

Team stats comparison, Cowboys vs Chargers
CowboysStatChargers
7.0Yards per play6.6
1Turnovers2
419Total yards408
Other team stats
60Plays62
60%Third-down conversion42%
29:03Time of possession30:57

Scoring Summary

The Cowboys scored two touchdowns and two field goals; the Chargers scored one touchdown and three field goals.

Scoring plays, Cowboys vs Chargers
TimeTeamPlayDALLAC
1st quarter
8:09DALTony Pollard 4-yard TD run Takes leadGreg Zuerlein XP70
3:32LACTristan Vizcaino 46-yard FG73
0:17DALEzekiel Elliott 5-yard TD run Extends leadGreg Zuerlein XP143
2nd quarter
9:49LACJustin Herbert → Mike Williams, 12-yard TDAustin Ekeler 2-pt run1411
3rd quarter
9:22LACTristan Vizcaino 32-yard FG Ties game1414
4th quarter
10:25DALGreg Zuerlein 34-yard FG Takes lead1714
3:54LACTristan Vizcaino 29-yard FG Ties game1717
0:00DALGreg Zuerlein 56-yard FG Game winner2017

Fantasy Points: Cowboys vs Chargers, Week 2 2021

Fantasy leaders

  1. Tony PollardDALRB23.0 PTSRB4
  2. Austin EkelerLACRB22.5 PTSRB6
  3. Mike WilliamsLACWR22.1 PTSWR10
  4. Ezekiel ElliottDALRB17.7 PTSRB10

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Justin HerbertLACQB16.7QB2131/4133812412087.2Start/Sit →
Dak PrescottDALQB7.5QB2923/2723701———87.8Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Tony PollardDALRB23.0RB4RB13109133310Start/Sit →
Austin EkelerLACRB22.5RB6RB954099610Start/Sit →
Mike WilliamsLACWR22.1WR10WR———107911
Ezekiel ElliottDALRB17.7RB10RB1671122260
CeeDee LambDALWR17.4WR22WR113098810Start/Sit →
Keenan AllenLACWR14.8WR31WR———841080Start/Sit →
Blake JarwinDALTE6.7TE22TE———43370
Jared CookLACTE5.8TE25TE———53280
Amari CooperDALWR5.4WR71WR———53240
Cedrick WilsonDALWR4.5WR77WR15022200
Jalen GuytonLACWR4.2WR81WR19022130
Joshua PalmerLACWR4.1WR83WR———22210Start/Sit →
Justin JacksonLACRB3.9RB51RB42101180
Dalton SchultzDALTE3.8TE31TE———22180Start/Sit →
Stephen AndersonLACTE2.9TE40TE———2290
Larry RountreeLACRB0.8RB74RB1-1011-10

Fantasy Usage

Dallas Cowboys

Snap Share

  1. Amari CooperWR60 snaps97%
  2. CeeDee LambWR60 snaps97%
  3. Dalton SchultzTE45 snaps73%
  4. Ezekiel ElliottRB44 snaps71%
  5. Cedrick WilsonWR36 snaps58%

Target Share27 targets

  1. CeeDee Lamb33%, 9 targets
  2. Amari Cooper19%, 5 targets
  3. Blake Jarwin15%, 4 targets
  4. Tony Pollard11%, 3 targets
  5. Ezekiel Elliott7%, 2 targets
  6. Other15%, 4 targets

Carry Share31 carries

  1. Ezekiel Elliott52%, 16 carries
  2. Tony Pollard42%, 13 carries
  3. Cedrick Wilson3%, 1 carries
  4. CeeDee Lamb3%, 1 carries

Los Angeles Chargers

Snap Share

  1. Keenan AllenWR65 snaps92%
  2. Mike WilliamsWR54 snaps76%
  3. Jalen GuytonWR50 snaps70%
  4. Austin EkelerRB45 snaps63%
  5. Jared CookTE42 snaps59%

Target Share40 targets

  1. Mike Williams25%, 10 targets
  2. Austin Ekeler23%, 9 targets
  3. Keenan Allen20%, 8 targets
  4. Jared Cook13%, 5 targets
  5. Stephen Anderson5%, 2 targets
  6. Other15%, 6 targets

Carry Share19 carries

  1. Austin Ekeler47%, 9 carries
  2. Justin Jackson21%, 4 carries
  3. Justin Herbert21%, 4 carries
  4. Jalen Guyton5%, 1 carries
  5. Larry Rountree5%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Amari CooperDALWR6097%519%0
CeeDee LambDALWR6097%933%1
Keenan AllenLACWR6592%820%0
Mike WilliamsLACWR5476%1025%0
Dalton SchultzDALTE4573%27%0
Ezekiel ElliottDALRB4471%27%16
Jalen GuytonLACWR5070%25%1
Austin EkelerLACRB4563%923%9
Jared CookLACTE4259%513%0
Cedrick WilsonDALWR3658%27%1
Donald ParhamLACTE3448%00%0
Blake JarwinDALTE2947%415%0
Tony PollardDALRB2134%311%13
Joshua PalmerLACWR1825%25%0
Justin JacksonLACRB1623%13%4
Stephen AndersonLACTE1521%25%0
Noah BrownDALWR1219%00%0
Larry RountreeLACRB1014%13%1
Jeremy SprinkleDALTE23%00%0
Corey ClementDALRB12%00%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Austin EkelerLAC · RB22.520.9+1.663%47% car—0947%923%
Justin HerbertLAC · QB16.720.6−3.9100%41 att—41421%00%
Mike WilliamsLAC · —22.116.8+5.376%25% tgt—000%1025%
CeeDee LambDAL · WR17.415.8+1.697%33% tgt—013%933%
Ezekiel ElliottDAL · RB17.713.6+4.171%52% car—01652%27%
Keenan AllenLAC · WR14.813.5+1.392%20% tgt—000%820%
Tony PollardDAL · RB23.013.4+9.634%42% car—01342%311%
Dak PrescottDAL · QB8.511.9−3.4100%27 att—2700%00%
Amari CooperDAL · WR5.48.4−3.097%19% tgt—000%519%
Jared CookLAC · TE5.88.4−2.659%13% tgt—000%513%
Blake JarwinDAL · TE6.76.70.047%15% tgt—000%415%
Justin JacksonLAC · RB3.94.3−0.423%21% car—0421%13%
Cedrick Wilson Jr.DAL · WR4.54.0+0.558%7% tgt—013%27%
Jalen GuytonLAC · WR4.24.0+0.270%5% car—015%25%
Dalton SchultzDAL · TE3.83.4+0.473%7% tgt—000%27%
Joshua PalmerLAC · WR4.13.4+0.725%5% tgt—000%25%
Stephen AndersonLAC · TE2.93.4−0.521%5% tgt—000%25%
Larry Rountree IIILAC · RB0.82.3−1.514%5% car—015%13%

Team totals: Cowboys 27 targets and 31 carries; Chargers 40 targets and 19 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Justin Herbert

LAC · QB · 16.7 pts on 20.6 expected

31 of 41 passing for 338 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions; 4 carries for 12 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 20.6 expected.

Start/Sit: Justin Herbert →

CeeDee Lamb Strong role

DAL · WR · 17.4 pts on 15.8 expected

9 targets (33% of the team's), 8 catches for 81 yards; 1 carry (3% of the team's) for 13 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.8 expected.

Start/Sit: CeeDee Lamb →

Ezekiel Elliott

DAL · RB · 17.7 pts on 13.6 expected

2 targets (7% of the team's), 2 catches for 26 yards; 16 carries (52% of the team's) for 71 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 13.6 expected.

Trend: Season high in carries (16).

Austin Ekeler

LAC · RB · 22.5 pts on 20.9 expected

9 targets (23% of the team's), 9 catches for 61 yards; 9 carries (47% of the team's) for 54 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 20.9 expected.

Trend: Season high in targets (9).

Start/Sit: Austin Ekeler →

Mike Williams Ran hot

LAC · — · 22.1 pts on 16.8 expected

10 targets (25% of the team's), 7 catches for 91 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 16.8 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Tony Pollard Ran hot

DAL · RB · 23.0 pts on 13.4 expected

3 targets (11% of the team's), 3 catches for 31 yards; 13 carries (42% of the team's) for 109 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 13.4 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Trend: Season high in carries (13).

Start/Sit: Tony Pollard →

Cedrick Wilson Jr.

DAL · WR · 4.5 pts on 4.0 expected

2 targets (7% of the team's), 2 catches for 20 yards; 1 carry (3% of the team's) for 5 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 4.0 expected.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Dallas Cowboys

  • Stock up: CeeDee Lamb played 97% of the snaps, up from a 73% season average.
  • Stock up: Cedrick Wilson Jr. played 58% of the snaps, up from a 41% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Cowboys defense and Chargers defense
Points allowed toCowboys DChargers D
QBs15.617.5
RBs19.625.9
WRs33.328.5
TEs14.217.2

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Los Angeles opened at 59% win probability and fell below 2% in overtime.

Chargers win probability

Chargers win probability by game minuteChargers started at 59%, stood at 44% at halftime and finished at 0%, across 8 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. −22Pollard 4-yd TD run58% → 37%Q1 8:09
  2. −21Elliott 5-yd TD run44% → 23%Q1 0:17
  3. +26Herbert → Williams, 12-yd TD21% → 46%Q2 9:49
  4. +32Vizcaino 29-yd FG21% → 52%Q4 3:54
  5. −50Zuerlein 56-yd FG50% → <1%Q4 0:00

Swing in Chargers win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Cowboys vs Chargers
Dallas CowboysMeasureLos Angeles Chargers
60Plays62
48%Pass rate69%
7.6Yds / dropback7.3
6.4Yds / carry5.0
6/10Third downs5/12

Efficiency edge Dallas ran 2 fewer plays but gained 1.4 more yards per carry.

  • Top targets
  • DAL Lamb 33% · Cooper 19% · Jarwin 15%
  • LAC Williams 25% · Ekeler 23% · Allen 20%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Cowboys vs Chargers
ResultDALLAC
Touchdowns21
Field goals23
Punts10
Turnovers12
Turnovers on downs10
Missed field goals01

DAL turnover edge: +1

  • The Cowboys opened the scoring on their first possession, a 15-play, 78-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • The Cowboys scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives, then drained the clock with two second-half drives of four to five minutes.
All 15 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
DALQ1 15:0015786:51Touchdown
LACQ1 8:093421:09Interception
DALQ1 7:003251:04Interception
LACQ1 5:565172:24Field goal
DALQ1 3:327753:15Touchdown
LACQ1 0:1710755:28Touchdown
DALQ2 9:498364:56Downs
LACQ2 4:5312334:50Missed FG
DALQ2 0:031480:03End of half
LACQ3 15:0013615:38Field goal
DALQ3 9:227284:20Punt
LACQ3 5:0211824:57Interception
DALQ3 0:0510644:40Field goal
LACQ4 10:2512646:31Field goal
DALQ4 3:5411493:54Field goal
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Cowboys vs Chargers Head-to-Head

The Cowboys and Chargers first met in 1972 and have played 14 times since.

All-time series
8–6Cowboys lead, 14 meetings since 1972
Postseason
0No playoff meetings
Largest Cowboys win
23–91995
Largest Chargers win
28–62017

Since 2021

2–1 Cowboys lead

3 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. DAL = Cowboys win, LAC = Chargers win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Cowboys vs Chargers
CowboysStatChargers
12-5Record9-8
31.2Points per game27.9
407.0Yards per game390.2
6.0Yards per play5.9
21.1Points allowed per game27.0
351.0Yards allowed per game360.1

Cowboys vs Chargers Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
LAC −3Chargers failed to cover by 6
Total
55Under: 37 points scored (by 18)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Chargers29.017−12.0
Cowboys26.020−6.0

Both offenses finished under the market's expectation, which matches the low fantasy output in the Fantasy tab.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Dallas Cowboys

Against the spread
2–0
Over/under
1–1
ATS as underdog
2–0
ATS on the road
2–0

Los Angeles Chargers

Against the spread
1–1
Over/under
0–2
ATS as favorite
0–1
ATS as underdog
1–0
ATS at home
0–1

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Cowboys and Chargers in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Cowboy or a Charger, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Cowboys vs Chargers Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Cowboys vs Chargers Week 2 game?

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20–17 in Week 2 of the 2021 season. The game was played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA, on September 19, 2021. See the Cowboys' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Cowboys vs Chargers?

The final score was Cowboys 20, Chargers 17. The Cowboys led 14–11 at halftime, and the second half went Cowboys 6, Chargers 6.

What happened in the Cowboys vs Chargers game?

Dallas led 14–11 at halftime to win 20–17. The Cowboys finished with a narrow 419–408 edge in total offense and averaged 7.0 yards per play. Tony Pollard led all players with 3 catches for 31 yards, plus 13 carries for 109 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Chargers committed 2 turnovers, the Cowboys 1.

What was the game-winning score in Cowboys vs Chargers?

Greg Zuerlein's 56-yard field goal with 0:00 left in the fourth quarter gave the Cowboys a 20–17 lead they never gave up. It was the final score of the game.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Cowboys vs Chargers?

Tony Pollard led the game with 23.0 PPR fantasy points, the RB4 of Week 2, on 3 catches for 31 yards, plus 13 carries for 109 rushing yards and a touchdown. Austin Ekeler was next with 22.5 (RB6). See Tony Pollard's 2021 game log.

Who led Cowboys vs Chargers in passing, rushing and receiving?

Justin Herbert (LAC) led all passers with 31 of 41 for 338 yards, a touchdown and 2 interceptions. Tony Pollard (DAL) led in rushing with 13 carries for 109 yards and a touchdown. Keenan Allen (LAC) led in receiving with 4 catches for 108 yards.

How many fantasy points did Tony Pollard score against the Chargers?

Tony Pollard scored 23.0 points in PPR leagues, 21.5 in half-PPR and 20.0 in standard scoring against the Chargers in Week 2 of the 2021 season, on 3 catches for 31 yards, plus 13 carries for 109 rushing yards and a touchdown. He handled 42% of his team's carries.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Cowboys vs Chargers?

Tony Pollard outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 23.0 PPR points on 13.4 xFP (+9.6). Justin Herbert fell furthest short, with 16.7 points on 20.6 xFP (−3.9). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

How did the Cowboys beat the Chargers?

The Cowboys beat the Chargers 20–17 because they averaged 7.0 yards per play to 6.6, won the turnover battle 2–1, and outgained them 419–408. Greg Zuerlein's 56-yard field goal put them ahead for good.

Which team won the turnover battle in Cowboys vs Chargers?

The Cowboys won the turnover battle 2–1: the Chargers gave the ball away 2 times and the Cowboys 1 time. The Cowboys won the game.

What is the all-time Cowboys vs Chargers record?

The Cowboys lead the all-time series 8–6 across 14 meetings since 1972.

When did the Cowboys and Chargers last play before this game?

Before Week 2 of 2021, they last met in the 2017 season on November 23, 2017, when the Chargers beat the Cowboys 28–6.

What was the closing spread for Cowboys vs Chargers?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Chargers −3, making the Los Angeles Chargers 3-point favorites, with a closing total of 55. That implied about 29.0 points for the Chargers and 26.0 for the Cowboys.

Did Cowboys vs Chargers go over or under the total?

The game went under. The consensus closing total was 55, and the teams combined for 37 points, 18 under the number.

Who covered the spread in Cowboys vs Chargers?

The Cowboys covered as 3-point underdogs against the closing line of Chargers −3. The final margin was 3 points.