Cowboys QB Tony Romo finally led the team to a touchdown but the offense remained sluggish in a 16-14 victory.
The blame for that can’t be placed on the Cowboys’ makeshift offensive line because G Montrae Holland and T Robert Brewster played well.
Cowboys rookie S Akwasi Owusu-Ansah played for the first time in preseason but deemed his performance unacceptable after a fumble and some other shaky moments on kick returns.
Cowboys TE Martellus Bennett celebrated a touchdown catch with a dance gleaned from a music video.
LB Keith Brooking left the game with a shoulder injury but the Cowboys don’t expect him to miss much, if any, time going forward.
Chargers QB Philip Rivers completed 11-of-15 passes but threw an uncharacteristic red zone interception.
Rivers also caught some criticism for risking his body to make a touchdown-saving tackle after a fumble by Chargers RB Darren Sproles.
Chargers RB Ryan Mathews had 53 yards on 12 carries and also had a 13-yard catch.
Despite the loss, Chargers coach Norv Turner was effusive in praise for his team: “I can’t be more excited about the things our players are doing. The physicalness, the attitude and the way they came out and played in the first half. We blocked the run exceptionally well. We protected the quarterback. I can’t say enough about the way our defensive front is playing.”
After watching Rivers get sacked and pressured into throwing a pick, Jay Paris of the North County Times writes that it is time for the Chargers to sign T Marcus McNeill.