Cowboys Halftime: Bad Clock Management? Dallas Over Los Angeles Chargers With Late Field Goal

Monday night's game between the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers was expected to be a close one, and it's been just that so far as the first half ended with America's Team ahead 10-7.

The game started off fast, with both teams scoring touchdowns early on. The Chargers struck first, driving 42 yards on five plays for their opening possession. Immediately after, the Cowboys answered back by marching 75 yards on nine plays, capping the drive off with an 18-yard touchdown run by quarterback Dak Prescott.

After that, though, the game settled down substantially. The next five drives, three for L.A. and two for Dallas, ended in punts. The Cowboys finally put together a good drive and got down to the red zone, but turned it over on downs after they couldn't convert a fourth-and-one.

As the half came to a close, though, the Cowboys broke the scoring drought with a 32-yard field goal by Brandon Aubrey.

They did so, though, in a way that made it seem like Coach Mike McCarthy was so intent on getting the field goal that he botched a chance for a TD.

Dallas has two timeouts and eight seconds left when the coach instructed the refs to tick the clock down to three seconds rather than him taking another shot at a TD … an odd choice.

Dallas has been noticeably better on offense, racking up 207 total yards and 13 first downs to L.A.'s 132 yards and nine first downs. In fact, the Cowboys have already surpassed their 197 total yards in last week's blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Prescott has kept things relatively clean and simple, completing 15 of 20 passes for 161 yards. CeeDee Lamb has been his favorite target, as usual, with five receptions for 84 yards in the first half.

The Cowboys have also run the ball well with 60 yards on 14 carries. However, Prescott has 33 of those yards as well as Dallas' lone touchdown of the half.

On the other side, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert completed 11 of 18 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Keenan Allen for a one-yard score.

The Cowboys will look to defend their lead as they start the second half on defense.