Kickoff: Sunday, December 21, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET (12:00 PM CT)
Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Broadcast: FOX: Adam Amin, Drew Brees, Kristina Pink (field reporter), NFL+ (streaming)
Local radio on KLAC (Chargers) and KRLD (Cowboys)
Capacity: ~80,000 (retractable roof expected closed; strong Cowboys home crowd with some Chargers travelers)
The Los Angeles Chargers (10-4) visit the struggling Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1) in a cross-conference matchup with playoff implications primarily for the visitors. The Chargers, surging under Jim Harbaugh and firmly in the AFC wildcard/AFC West race (potential No. 4-6 seed), aim to exploit Dallas’ inconsistencies on both sides of the ball. The Cowboys, fading after a mid-season tie and recent losses, play for pride and to avoid a losing record in a disappointing campaign. This rare inter-conference clash (no recent divisional history) features LA’s disciplined, run-heavy attack against Dallas’ talented but underperforming roster in the controlled environment of AT&T Stadium.
Team Records
Los Angeles Chargers: 10-4 overall (strong AFC positioning)
Dallas Cowboys: 6-7-1 overall (NFC East contention fading)
Chargers have exceeded expectations with elite coaching and balance; Cowboys have underachieved despite talent.
Recent Team Forms
Los Angeles Chargers (8-2 in last 10; on multi-game win streak): Harbaugh’s group is peaking, showcasing top-10 defense (points allowed) and efficient offense led by Justin Herbert’s precision and a dominant ground game (Ladd McConkey/Gus Edwards impact). Recent wins feature low turnovers and strong fourth-quarter play; road form excellent (5-2 away).
Dallas Cowboys (3-6-1 in last 10; losing streak): Mike McCarthy’s squad has collapsed lately, with defense leaking points and offense inconsistent despite Dak Prescott/CeeDee Lamb flashes. Home games competitive but often fall short in clutch moments; injuries and execution issues plaguing.
Injury Report (as of December 18 reports)
Los Angeles Chargers:
Limited/Questionable: WR Quentin Johnston (groin), DB Elijah Molden (hamstring), others monitored.
Out: Minor depth pieces.
Impact: Receiver and secondary depth tested but core (Herbert, Ekeler-types) healthy; overall strong availability.
Dallas Cowboys:
Out/Questionable: CB DaRon Bland (foot, potential IR candidate), WR CeeDee Lamb (shoulder/back issues, limited), TE Jake Ferguson (various), OL Tyler Guyton.
Limited: DE/LB edges, secondary pieces.
Impact: Defense thinned significantly (Bland huge loss); offense misses Lamb’s explosiveness if limited.
Chargers far healthier; Cowboys’ key absences amplify struggles.
Key Player Matchups
Chargers QB Justin Herbert vs. Cowboys Secondary: Herbert (efficient, low INTs, 30+ TDs) exploits potentially depleted Cowboys DBs (no Bland?); big-play potential with Ladd McConkey/Quentin Johnston (if healthy).
Chargers Run Game (Gus Edwards/J.K. Dobbins types) vs. Cowboys Front Seven: LA’s top-10 rush attack grinds vs. Cowboys’ average run D; clock control key in dome.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott vs. Chargers Pass Rush: Prescott (talented but pressured lately) faces top-5 Chargers pressure (Joey Bosa/Khalil Mack); mistakes possible if OL struggles.
Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb (if plays) vs. Chargers CBs: Lamb’s route-running tests Chargers’ solid secondary; Asante Samuel Jr. matchup critical.
Special Teams Edge: Both reliable in dome; field position neutral.
Series History
All-time: Dallas leads 8-5.
Recent: Cowboys won several in 2010s-early 2020s, but infrequent meetings (last 2021 or similar, Cowboys win); no strong recent trend due to rarity.
Trend: Games often competitive but higher-scoring in domes.
Betting Trends
Trends: Chargers 9-4 ATS last 13; Cowboys poor ATS at home lately. Inter-conference games favor better record team; Overs in dome non-divisional.
Historical: Road favorites like Chargers cover ~65% vs. sub-.500 home teams.
CHARGERS NOTES:
• CHARGERS ranks 2nd in NFL in total defense (279.1 yards allowed per game). • QB JUSTIN HERBERT completed 19 of 29 atts. (65.5 pct.) for 210 yards & TD in Week 15. Became 3rd player all-time with 3,000+ pass yards & 20+ TD passes in each of 1st 6 seasons (HOFer Peyton Manning & Russell Wilson). Surpassed Patrick Mahomes (24,241) for 2nd-most pass yards in 1st 6 seasons. Passed for 227 yards & 2 TDs in last meeting. • RB OMARION HAMPTON (rookie) led team with 65 scrimmage yards (61 rush, 4 rec.) last week. Has 60+ scrimmage yards in 6 of his 7 games this season. • RB KIMANI VIDAL had 48 scrimmage yards (33 rush, 15 rec.) in Week 15. Has 100+ scrimmage yards in 2 of his past 3. • WR KEENAN ALLEN had 5 receptions last week. Had 7 catches for 85 yards & TD in last meeting. • WR KEANDRE LAMBERT-SMITH (rookie) had 1st-career rec. TD in Week 15. • TE ORONDE GADSDEN had 61 rec. yards last week. Has 60+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4 in on road. • LB KHALIL MACK had sack in Week 15. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Dal. with sack. Had 4 tackles & sack in last meeting. • LB TULI TUIPULOTU had 4 tackles, 3 TFL & 2 sacks last week. Has 2+ sacks in 2 of his past 3. Aims for his 7th in row on road with TFL. • LB DAIYAN HENLEY had 4 tackles & INT in Week 15. Aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • LB DENZEL PERRYMAN had 9 tackles & TFL last week. Aims for his 5th in row with TFL. Aims for his 5th in row on road with 5+ tackles. Has 7 tackles in each of his 2 career games vs. Dal. • LB ODAFE OWEH had 4 tackles, 3 TFL & 2 sacks in Week 15. Aims for his 3rd in row with sack. • S DERWIN JAMES led team with 10 tackles, 2 PD & INT last week. Aims for his 7th in row on road with 5+ tackles
COWBOYS NOTES:
• QB DAK PRESCOTT passed for 294 yards in Week 15. Has TD pass in 5 of his past 6 games. Leads NFL with 3,931 pass yards & ranks 3rd with 26 TD passes this season. Aims for 7th in row with 250+ pass yards. Passed for 272 yards & TD & had rush TD in last meeting. • RB JAVONTE WILLIAMS led team with 91 rush yards & TD in Week 15. Has 80+ scrimmage yards in 5 of his past 6 games. Aims for 4th in row with scrimmage TD & 3rd in row with rush TD. Ranks 2nd in NFC with career-high 1,113 rush yards this season. • RB MALIK DAVIS had rush TD in Week 15 & has rush TD in 2 of his past 3. • WR CEEDEE LAMB led team with 6 receptions for 111 yards in Week 15, his 3rd consecutive game with 100+ rec. yards, tied for longest active streak this season (Drake London). Has 559 career receptions & 7,315 career rec. yards & is the 2nd player (Justin Jefferson) in NFL history with 550+ receptions & 7,000+ rec. yards in 1st 6 career seasons. Had 117 rec. yards in last meeting. • WR GEORGE PICKENS ranks 3rd in NFL with 1,212 rec. yards this season. Has 75+ rec. yards in 5 of his past 6 at home. • TE JAKE FERGUSON ranks 2nd in NFL among TEs with 77 receptions & 3rd in with 7 TD catches this season. • LB DEMARVION OVERSHOWN led team with 7 tackles in Week 15 & aims for 3rd in row with 7+ tackles. • DT QUINNEN WILLIAMS had 2nd-career INT in Week 15. • CB DARON BLAND had PD in Week 15 & has PD in 4 of his past 5 at home. Had 2 PD in last meeting. • CB SHAVON REVEL (rookie) had 5 tackles & TFL last week. Aims for 4th in row with 5+ tackles & 3rd in row at home with 5+ tackles. • S DONOVAN WILSON had PD in Week 15 & has PD in 2 of his past 3 at home. • S MALIK HOOKER had 6 tackles in Week 15 & has 5+ tackles in 2 of his past 3 at home.
Game Odds
Los Angeles Chargers 49.5
Dallas Cowboys – 1.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, December 20, 2025
