Los Angeles Chargers vs. Dallas Cowboys Picks and Predictions, Sunday, December 21, 2025
Use Code WWWC The Los Angeles Chargers (10-4) and the Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1) kickoff a non-conference match in the NFL with playoff positioning at stake in this Chargers vs. Cowboys prediction. These teams did not meet last season. Los Angeles is coming off a big win in Kansas City 16-13, taking the game as 6-point underdogs. Dallas just lost on Sunday night to the Vikings, falling 34-26 as 5-point favorites. Kickoff is set for 1:00 EST and can be found regionally on FOX. Keep reading to see our Chargers vs. Cowboys prediction, and our free NFL Predictions.
Los Angeles Eyes the Postseason
Every game still matters for the Los Angeles Chargers, as they have not yet clinched their spot in the playoffs, but also still have a chance to win the AFC West. The Chargers are currently 5th in the AFC, sitting with the best record of non-division leaders. They have two more losses than the first place Broncos in the division, so a Wild Card spot is the most likely scenario for the Chargers. In their last game, Justin Herbert passed for 210 yards and a touchdown in their win over Kansas City.
Herbert is their franchise quarterback who is in his sixth season as a starter for Los Angeles as a 6'6, 235 pound signal caller. This year he is averaging 227.9 passing yards per game to go with a 23-12 TD-INT ratio, while completing 65.6% of his passes. Herbert is mobile as he has rushed for 419 yards and a touchdown this year, but he is more comfortable in the pocket airing it out than he is scrambling for extra yardage. Kimani Vidal is their top rusher with 620 yards on the ground so far to go with his three touchdowns, while rookie Omarion Hampton is another solid contributor with 432 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Ladd McConkey has developed into the top receiver for the Chargers, as the 6'0, 24-year old leads the team with 715 yards and five touchdowns. Keenan Allen is a reliable veteran adding another 680 yards and four touchdowns. The Chargers have 40 sacks on the year, led by linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu with 12. Their defense has also snagged 17 interceptions, led by cornerback Donte Jackson with four.
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Injury Report for Chargers:
- Out: S RJ Mickens
- Questionable: LB Bud Dupree, WR Quentin Johnson
Cowboys are Hanging by a Thread
The Dallas Cowboys are not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention yet, but they realistically will not be playing in the postseason this year. There is a strong chance that even if the Cowboys win all of their remaining games, they will still finish on the outside looking in. Dallas has under a one percent chance to make the playoffs according to ESPN.com. Their odds got worse last weekend, when they lost to the Vikings despite getting 294 passing yards from Dak Prescott on Sunday night.
Prescott is their leader, and would have had a solid chance of winning league MVP is the Cowboys were to finish with a better record. Prescott is averaging 280.8 passing yards per game with a 28-10 TD-INT ratio, while connecting on 68.4% of his passes. Prescott has passed for over 290 yards in each of his last four games. Though he is a physical quarterback, Prescott does not look to run often and only has 140 rushing yards this season. Their top back is Javonte Williams, he came over from the Broncos and is 6th in the league with 1,113 rushing yards while carrying the ball into the endzone ten times.
George Pickens has looked like a steal for Jerry Jones, even if he has had some bad moments where it looked as if his effort has fallen off. On the year, Pickens has 1,212 receiving yards, the third most in the NFL, and has added eight touchdowns. CeeDee Lamb missed a few games with an injury, but still has 976 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Their defense has 29 sacks on the year, led by defensive end James Houston with 5.5. The Cowboys have just six interceptions on the year, with safety Donovan Wilson the only player with two so far.
Injury Report for Cowboys
- Out: CB Trevon Diggs, CB DaRon Bland, OT Tyler Guyton
- Questionable: DT Quinnen Williams,
Chargers vs. Cowboys Picks and Predictions
Spread pick and prediction for Chargers vs. Cowboys
- Chargers +2.5 (5 units)
The Chargers are the better team here, with more to play for, and are getting points in this matchup, the Chargers are the play. Public money will always be heavy for Dallas, but this 2.5-point line favoring Dallas is difficult to justify. The Cowboys will be without two of their best players in the secondary with Diggs and Bland still out, and their defense has been giving up far too many points all season. Herbert should have a field day here, and will have extra time in the pocket as it seems Quinnen Williams is on the injury list for the Cowboys, which will weaken their defensive front. The Chargers can clinch a playoff spot with a win, while the Cowboys know their season is likely coming to an end soon. Take the points in this one.
Take the Chargers plus the points.
Over/Under Pick for Chargers vs. Cowboys
- Over 50 (4 units)
Neither team plans on relying on their defense in this one, and we will see a high scoring matchup between two veteran quarterbacks. If offense was the only side that mattered, Dallas would be in the playoffs, but the Cowboys cannot get enough stops and even gave up 34 points last week to the Vikings in prime time. The Cowboys have gone over in each of their last three games, giving up 28 or more in each of those outings. The Chargers can clinch a playoff spot here, so they will be willing to let Herbert air it out in order to get a comfortable lead and put the game on cruise control if they can. Dallas is down two important pieces of their secondary, this will be a high scoring game.
Take the over.
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