Cowboys drop third straight as Chargers blow them out 28-6

Jerry Jones Firmly Backs Coaching Staff After Third-Straight Lopsided Loss -David Helman- Dallas Cowboys
Given the way the last three weeks have gone, it’s no surprise that Jerry Jones spent his Thanksgiving answering questions about job security.

“We all know that it has to get better, has to get together,” he said. “I really think this coaching staff is tops. I think Jason is able to use everything that he’s learned, as coordinator, as coach over these last years, and we’ve just got to get it together.”

Same song, different verse: Cowboys embarrassed by Chargers 28-6 -Tom Ryle- Blogging The Boys
What is wrong with Dallas? Just about everything.

The big question is just why the Dallas offense has struggled so much over the past three games, and the obvious answer seems to be that Ezekiel Elliott finally started his suspension. The return of Tyron Smith didn’t change that, although it didn’t help to lose Zack Martin to a reported head injury late in the second half. But with Elliott out, Dallas just has not had an answer. What is most disturbing is how Prescott has seemingly wilted under the pressure of needing to carry the team.

Dallas Cowboys continue to make wrong kind of history in latest loss-Todd Archer-ESPN
The Dallas offense can't seem to get out of its own way, and the Cowboys' season is spiraling out of control.

But the offense could not get out of its own way, even with the return of Tyron Smith from a groin strain. Smith was flagged for holding on what would have been a 34-yard touchdown run by Prescott in the third quarter. On the next play, Prescott was under pressure and had to throw the ball away. With 7:41 to play, Prescott had an interception returned 90 yards for a Los Angeles touchdown. It was the fourth Prescott turnover of the season to be returned for a touchdown.

Dallas Cowboys: Why the Cowboys are in a full-fledged crisis-Bob Sturm- SportsDay
Bob Sturm, SportsDayDFW.com contributor gives his initial thoughts after Cowboys' drop their third straight game.

It is certainly clear that they are lost without a compass on offense and while it is clear they have no idea how to function without Ezekiel Elliott, I think we could wonder why. Dak Prescott looks like he has no confidence right now and Scott Linehan is play-calling like he knows Dak has no confidence. Then, to compensate, they are playing with two and three tight ends, which takes the only elusive targets -- Cole Beasley, in particular -- off the field altogether.

Then, there is little to no play-action and the only time you really ask Dak to throw is on third down when defenses excel. There are no big plays or explosiveness, and because the defense was so poor, there were almost no opportunities as all the drives were limited. They just appear to have no idea how to get going again. It is almost like they have convinced themselves that Zeke is the entire organization.

Dallas Cowboys continue to make wrong kind of history in latest loss-Todd Archer-ESPN
The Dallas offense can't seem to get out of its own way, and the Cowboys' season is spiraling out of control.

For the third straight game, the defense had no answers in the second half. Philip Rivers, who threw for 416 yards and three touchdowns, led the Chargers on touchdown drives of 77, 92 and 75 yards. Los Angeles had eight passes of at least 20 yards in the game.

Dallas Cowboys: Jerry Jones addresses team after blowout loss -Drew Davison- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones addressed the team after their third consecutive 20-point loss. Players called it a positive, supportive message.

“Stay focused, you know. Be thankful. It is Thanksgiving,” running back Rod Smith said. “But basically pick it up. We know we’re better than these teams we’re losing to, but we’ve got to find a way to go out there and win in the second half.”

Cowboys At A Loss In Explaining Another Second Half Collapse On Defense -David Helman- Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are stunned and at a loss for words of how bad they've been playing. Nobody is happy in that locker room.

“How we’re playing is who we are,” said David Irving. “We are what we repeatedly do. And if we don’t fix it – and fast – then yeah, this is who we are this year.”

Four winners and eight losers from the Cowboys turkey of a game on Thanksgiving -Dave Halprin- Blogging The Boys
The Cowboys looked very bad... again. We try to see who did what.

Dak Prescott - It’s not all Prescott’s fault, but he still has some weapons to work with, and he just can’t make it happen. He’s making bad reads, he’s reluctant to take off and run when the offense is clearly faltering, and he continues to misfire at important times (the two-point try to an open receiver). Then, he threw the pick-six. Sometimes a QB just has to put a team on his back and carry them to a win. That’s what Dallas needed, and Prescott couldn’t deliver.

Dallas Cowboys: Defense has worst performance in years -Drew Davison- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
The Dallas Cowboys defense isn’t going to use linebacker Sean Lee’s absence as an excuse for their play. But something isn’t right.

It marked Rivers’ ninth career 400-yard passing game and the first against the Cowboys since Washington’s Kirk Cousins threw for 449 yards last Thanksgiving.

The Chargers, who entered the game with the 15th-ranked offense, finished with 515 total yards. That’s the most the Cowboys have given up since Oct. 6, 2013 when the Broncoshad 517 yards.

Dallas Cowboys: 5 thoughts from Cowboys' loss: Playoff hopes are over; time to look to NFL draft -Jon Machota- SportsDay
It's not over until it's over but it's probably over. Now, the Cowboys' will have to take a good hard look at the "talent" on this team.

I think it's safe to say the playoff window has closed. The Cowboys have shown no life without Ezekiel Elliott and Sean Lee. There's no reason to think they can win out. And even if they did, they'd need some help at 10-6 to get one of the wild card spots. It was an ugly Thanksgiving Day performance at AT&T Stadium. The offense never clicked. The defense never slowed Philip Rivers. Even when it was 0-0 for most of the first half, it was never close. With the parity in the NFL, it really doesn't get much worse than the Cowboys have played these last three games, getting outscored 92-22. I don't see them rebounding from this awful stretch.

Cowboys stuffed by Chargers for third straight loss- Lindsay H. Jones- USA Today
Dallas ended its 10-quarter touchdown drought, but the Cowboys still didn't have enough to measure up with the Chargers.

“We're not a good team right now,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. “We can be a good team.”