As the tryptophan inside the turkey you’ve been feasting on all afternoon begins to take effect, making your eyelids droop as you doze off to the muffled sounds of your cousins arguing over Donald Trump’s border wall, you can tune them out with the gentle hum of your television tuned to the Los Angeles Chargers (4-6) taking on the Dallas Cowboys (5-5) at AT&T Stadium.
This Thanksgiving Day treat will be broadcast into your family room over the shouts of “Make America Great Again!” by the CBS television network at 4:30 p.m. EST.
The Game: Los Angeles Chargers at Dallas Cowboys (+2.5)
O/U: 47.5
The History
The Cowboys and Chargers have faced off 10 times since 1972 with Dallas holding a 6-4 advantage in the all time series.
Los Angeles/San Diego won the last two meetings in 2009 and 2013, beating Dallas 20-17 at Cowboys Stadium and 30-21 at Qualcomm Stadium.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (4-6)
The Chargers roll into this game off their most impressive performance of the season by far. Los Angeles defeated the Buffalo Bills 54-24 last week in a game that wasn’t even that close. L.A.’s defense picked off rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman five times out of just 14 pass attempts.
The win stopped a two game skid for Los Angeles. The Chargers are most certainly better than their record and even have a chance at a Wild Card berth thanks to a friendly final schedule. After this game against Dallas, they’ll face the Cleveland Browns, the Washington Redskins, the Kansas City Chiefs, the New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders. Depending on what happens Sunday, they could be right back into the mix in spite of Anthony Lynn’s inept coaching. It just goes to show you how shitty the Wild Card teams in the AFC are going to be this year.
L.A. will show up to this game healthy. While they have a ton of questionable guys on their injury report, everybody practiced and should play.
Last week against the Bills, Philip Rivers was 20 of 32 for 251 yards and two touchdowns with no picks. He had a solid performance from the running game too. The Chargers rushed for 146 yards with Melvin Gordon carrying the ball 20 times for 80 yards and a touchdown.
Mike Williams’ health has impacted the passing game. Last week he caught five passes for 38 yards, but more importantly, he opened up the offense for Keenan Allen. Allen had 12 catches for 159 yards and two touchdowns.
In addition to the five picks, Los Angeles’ defense sacked Tyrod Taylor once and got five stops in the backfield.
DALLAS COWBOYS (5-5)
As big a hole as Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension seems to have left in the Dallas’ offense, it’s been the absence of left tackle Tyron Smith that’s caused the most problems. Smith missed the last two weeks and over that span quarterback Dak Prescott was sacked 12 times. Under constant pressure last week, Prescott was 18 of 31 for 145 yards and three interceptions.
The good news is, Smith will be back Thursday. In fact, Prescott should have his entire starting offensive line in front of him for the first time in weeks. Not only that, but kicker Dan Bailey practiced all week as well.
The only player missing on the Cowboys’ squad is Sean Lee on defense. That’s a pretty big loss, but Anthony Hitchens should make up for it a little. He’s questionable with a groin, but should suit up.
Alfred Morris put up solid stats in Elliott’s stead against the Eagles for what it was worth. He rushed 17 times for 91 yards. But what the Cowboys do on offense this week will all be predicated on Prescott and the passing game. He should have better protection. He just has to get it done.
The Pick
This line has ticked up a point and a half since Tuesday. I’m not sure what the sportsbooks and bettors are seeing in this Chargers team, but I’m pretty sure Lynn hasn’t been fired this week. I know Dallas has underperformed this season, but I don’t see them dropping this game to L.A. Cowboys 31, Chargers 23
Last week
Straight up: 5-8
Against the spread: 4-9
Season
Straight up: 92-67
Against the spread: 79-79
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