Chargers open as shocking Week 16 underdogs against lame-duck Cowboys

For most of this season, the Los Angeles Chargers have been on the wrong side of misfortune. You don't have to look any farther than the fact that - because of injuries - they have been forced to use 12 different offensive linemen, second-highest total in the NFL.

But suddenly, the tide seems to shifting for head coach Jim Harbaugh's gutsy group.

MORE: Chargers' gutsy win over Chiefs skyrockets playoff chances in AFC race

After missing seven games, star rookie running back Omarion Hampton has returned. Despite a broken left hand, quarterback Justin Herbert continues to remain upright and productive. And on Sunday the Bolts indirectly got a couple of good breaks.

And not just in the game, where cornerback Cam Hart seemingly got away with a key blatant pass-interference penalty.

You never want to see a player suffer an injury but - truth be told - Patrick Mahomes going down with an injury late in the game helped the Chargers hold off the Kansas City Chiefs. Who would you rather face on a game-deciding drive: a three-time Super Bowl MVP or Gardner Minshew? Safety Derwin James intercepted Minshew to preserve a 16-13 win that officially eliminated the Chiefs from the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

Then Sunday night the Dallas Cowboys suffered a loss that all ended their faint playoff hopes. The Cowboys, who lost to the Minnesota Vikings at home, are now 6-7-1 with three NFC Wild Cards already at 9 wins or more. Their only chance to make the playoffs is to win the NFC East by going 3-0 down the stretch and having the Philadelphia Eagles go 0-3.

MORE: Chargers knock Patrick Mahomes from game and Chiefs from playoffs in epic victory

Who do the Chargers face this week? The lame-duck Cowboys, who are now simply playing out the string to another disappointing season.

Strangely, the Chargers open this week as 1.5-point underdogs at the Cowboys. In the NFL we know home field matters, but this is a matchup of a 10-4 team with motivation to strengthen its AFC Wild Card and possibly still win the AFC West, against a team which has lost two games in a row and likely has foot already in Cabo.

Chargers-Cowboys | Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

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