The Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas Cowboys will square off on Sunday in a Week 16 NFL contest that matters for playoff positioning for the Chargers and offers the Cowboys a chance to keep their faint postseason hopes alive. The Chargers (10‑4) enter this game on a three-game winning streak, capped by a gritty 16‑13 road win over the Kansas City Chiefs that eliminated the Chiefs from the playoff picture. Dallas (6‑7‑1) has struggled to consistently deliver wins despite boasting one of the NFL’s most productive offenses. Before kickoff from AT&T Stadium, continue reading to get my Chargers vs Cowboys prediction.
Our Chargers vs Cowboys Pick
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Los Angeles Chargers vs Dallas Cowboys
- Date & Time: Sunday, December 21, 2025, 1:00 PM
- Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
- Broadcast: FOX
Key Storylines
Los Angeles has surged to a 10‑4 record on the strength of a defense that ranks near the top of the league in yards allowed and points allowed. That unit’s performance was on full display in Week 15 when the Chargers held the Chiefs to just 13 points en route to a road victory over their division rivals. Offensively, Los Angeles has been inconsistent, with quarterback Justin Herbert posting modest numbers relative to his career outputs while dealing with a broken hand. But the Chargers’ defense has helped them to overcome any offensive issues they’ve had.
Dallas has a losing record going into Week 16, sitting at 6‑7‑1, but its offense is among the league’s most productive. Quarterback Dak Prescott is near the top of the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns. But Dallas’ defensive struggles, particularly against the pass, have to be addressed if the Cowboys want to keep their slim hopes of making the playoffs alive for another week.
Quarterback Play
Justin Herbert has battled through injuries and has a QB rating lower than his career average. He remains the catalyst for the Chargers’ offensive success when healthy. Herbert’s ability to complete passes down the field could be a major asset against a Cowboys defense that has been prone to giving up yardage in chunks.
For Dallas, Dak Prescott has thrown for nearly 4,000 yards and 26 touchdowns this season, anchoring an offense that can move the ball efficiently through the air. Prescott’s command and chemistry with weapons like George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb allows Dallas to exploit mismatches vertically or over the middle. Dallas’ running game is also impressive, with Javonte Williams eclipsing the 1,000 yard mark already this season.
Betting Trends
- Dallas is 7-7 against the spread this season.
- The Chargers are 7-6-1 against the spread going into Week 16.
- The Cowboys have gone over the total in 10 of their 14 games, the highest over percentage in the NFL this year.
- The Chargers have stayed under the total in 8 of their first 14 outings.
Chargers vs Cowboys Model Projection
Final Thoughts
