The Dallas Cowboys had nothing left to play for when the kickoff got here towards the Los Angeles Chargers. The Philadelphia Eagles had already won back-to-back division titles, the first to achieve this in over 20 years, and Dallas couldn’t make the playoffs as a wildcard. Nothing appeared to change from final week; the offense tried to maintain the recreation shut, however the defense couldn’t get stops. Eventually, Los Angeles adjusted defensively and stored the Cowboys from scoring, pulling away for the 34-17 victory.
The 2025 season hasn’t been one to take a lot from, heading into one other offseason that Cowboys followers hope will see the entrance workplace change its team-building methods. The main takeaways from this recreation are primarily about the offseason and into the 2026 season, and the way these last video games may help set them up for a turnaround subsequent yr.
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Eberflus in the sales space made no distinction
Sep 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus seems on throughout warmups earlier than the recreation towards the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was calling the game from high above in the coaches booth, however there have been no impactful adjustments in his unit’s efficiency.
The Chargers scored touchdowns on each drive in the first half. They had drives of six performs for 65 yards, seven for 87, and 16 for 81. They didn’t miss a third-down conversion and had been nice each in the air and on the floor.
Dallas improved their aggressiveness and move safety, nevertheless it couldn’t stop the big play. Omarion Hampton averaged 5.6 yards per carry. QB Justin Herbert threw for over 10 yards per move and a QB score over 132. He threw for 2 touchdowns and ran in one other.
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Penalties killed the Cowboys offense
October 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive deal with Tyler Smith (73) earlier than the recreation towards the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
A maintain on Tyler Smith referred to as again an unbelievable landing move from Dak Prescott to Ryan Flournoy in the again of the endzone. A third-and-5 from simply exterior the purple zone became a Third-and-10 due to a false begin by CeeDee Lamb.
Quarterback Dak Prescott accomplished a nine-yard move, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to decide up a primary down. Dallas is down 10 in the fourth quarter, however is driving at midfield on a Third-and-5 when Cooper Beebe known as for a false begin. Dallas doesn’t convert, and the recreation primarily ends. Dallas scored practically each clear drive on considered one of the finest defenses in the NFL in the first half, however each one with a self-inflicted mistake ended the drive quickly after.
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Cowboys fan shouldn’t fear about Shavon Revel Jr.
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. (34) celebrates after a play throughout the first half towards the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The Cowboys have seen All-Pro gamers battle to come again from severe leg accidents, resembling a torn ACL. Whether it’s DaRon Bland, Trevon Diggs, Terence Steele, Michael Gallup, or anyone else, leg accidents commonly impression a participant’s efficiency for a minimum of a season after a nasty harm. Shavon Revel Jr. ought to be given grace, contemplating he’s a rookie.
Add to his state of affairs the reality that he’s in a scheme that doesn’t match his physical-man-press model, and followers shouldn’t fear an excessive amount of about how he performs to finish the season. Get expertise and put together for a greater state of affairs for himself in 2026.
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You can discover Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or on YouTube at Across the Cowboys podcast
This article initially appeared on Cowboys Wire: Takeaways from the Dallas Cowboys loss to the Los Angeles Chargers