The Los Angeles Chargers improved to 5-6 on the season after beating the Dallas Cowboys, 28-6.
Game BallsOffense: Philip Rivers– Rivers had a lot to be thankful for on Thursday, having a day for the ages. He finished the day with 27 completions for 434 yards and three touchdowns. It was the second 400-plus yard game for Rivers against the Cowboys. His 149.1 QB rating which was the third-best of his career.
Defense: Desmond King – The rookie made a name for himself on Thursday by notching his first career interception. However, it wasn't any interception, King returned it 90 yards for a touchdown. King is the fourth defensive back this season to register a sack and a pick-six. He is the only DB among those four with multiple sacks.
Unsung Hero: Tyrell Williams – Williams kicked it into gear on Thursday scoring his first touchdown since Week 4. He finished the game with two receptions for 58 yards along with the 27-yard score, which came in the third quarter to put the Bolts up 16-0.
Stat of the Game:The Chargers did not punt on Thursday against the Cowboys. It marked the first game without a punt for the Bolts since Jan. 1, 2012.
Play of the Game:
Facing a 3rd-and-6 in the fourth quarter, Philip Rivers dropped back and tossed a pass to Keenan Allen. Allen then shook two defenders and zig-zagged his way upfield, making four or five Cowboys miss along the way. He cut right but kept his balance to run into the end zone for the score. The play was vintage Allen and reminded the national audience that number 13 is unstoppable now that he's healthy.
Turning Point:
The Bolts had the ball late in the third quarter on first down from the Dallas 48. Rivers lobbed a pass in Tyrell Williams' direction deep down field. Williams went up for the ball and high-pointed the catch to tip toe into the end zone over Cowboys defenders. The play was crucial as it put the team up 16-0 and firmly in control.
It Was Over When:
The Cowboys were driving downfield midway through the fourth quarter having gotten down to the Chargers' 13. On first down, Dak Prescott's pass intended for Cole Beasley was intercepted by Desmond King. King then ran the ball back 90 yards for his first-career pick six. The play made it 28-6 and put the game out of reach.
Bolt Quotebook
"He's been dialed in." – Head Coach Anthony Lynn on Philip Rivers
"It was an all-around team win. One we needed to keep us in the mix." – QB Philip Rivers
Odds and Ends
The Chargers outgained the Cowboys in total yards (515 – 247), passing yards (434 – 168) and rushing yards (81 – 79).
The Chargers recorded over 500 yards (515) of total offense for the first time since Oct. 18, 2015.
Keenan Allen set a career-high with 172 receiving yards. He recorded his first back-to-back 100-yard games since Nov. 23/30, 2014.
The Chargers have scored three defensive touchdowns in the last two games.
Jahleel Addae, Denzel Perryman and Adrian Phillips all had seven total tackles on the day.
Tenny Palepoi and Corey Liuget recorded the two Bolts sacks of the game.
Casey Hayward picked off his 20th pass of his career, ranking fourth since he entered the league in 2012. He also had three picks in two games.
Kicker Nick Novak moved past Lance Alworth for sixth in career scoring in Chargers history.
Head Coach Anthony Lynn named Casey Hayward as an honorary captain.
Inactives for the Chargers included QB Cardale Jones, WR Geremy Davis, RB Branden Oliver, LB James Onwualu, OT Michael Ola, TE Sean Culkin and DE Jerry Attaochu.
The Chargers battle the Dallas Cowboys for a week 12 Thanksgiving Day matchup.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Switzer (10) is stopped by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) on a punt return in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) scrambles out of the pocket before throwing a pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) scrambles out of the pocket as Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (99) gives chase in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Dallas Cowboys safety Byron Jones gives chase as Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) gains yardage after catching a pass in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott (4) scrambles under pressure from Los Angeles Chargers' Brandon Mebane (92) in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Los Angeles Chargers' Brandon Mebane, left, and Tenny Palepoi, right, celebrate sacking Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott (4) in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tyrell Williams, left, Keenan Allen (13) and Austin Ekeler (30) celebrate a touchdown scored by Williams on a catch in the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Los Angeles Chargers' Kellen Clemens (10) and Drew Kaser (8) celebrate an extra point against the Dallas Cowboys in the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) sprints to the end zoned in front of Dallas Cowboys' Orlando Scandrick (32) and Byron Jones (31) for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys' Tyron Smith (77) and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) watch as Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Desmond King (20) returns an interception for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
