Section 400’s Week 6 Monday Night Football Roundtable

Week 6 of the NFL season concludes on Monday night when the 2-2 Los Angeles Chargers host the 3-2 Dallas Cowboys in what should be a very entertaining game.

The Cowboys will be hoping to move on from a horrendous blowout loss last Sunday at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers, while the Chargers come out of their bye winners of two straight, hoping to improve to over .500 for the first time this year.

As will be the case every Monday during the NFL season, the guys from Section 400 are here to give their takes on the game.

Here is what Section 400 writers Brian Hauch, Matt Kolen, and Jack Albanese are thinking heading into this Monday night matchup.

. The Recipe

Both of these teams have mediocre records this season despite having a ton of talent on their respective rosters. Will both of them figure it out and make the playoffs?

BH: The Cowboys will definitely find their way to the postseason in a weak NFC. The Chargers, on the other hand, I’m not so sure about. Brandon Staley still hasn’t gotten this team to take over his identity three years later, and Los Angeles has been consistently mediocre because of it. I think the Chargers miss the playoffs and we see a new coach manning the ship in 2024.

MK: I think both teams will make the playoffs but if one is to miss it will be the Chargers. They are known frauds and might have the worse defense in the league. The AFC is also much stronger than the NFC.

JA: I have more faith in the Cowboys to make the playoffs than I do in the Chargers. That being said, I believe both of these teams make the postseason when the dust finally settles after week 17. The Chargers have too much talent to not figure it out.

. Forgot about Dre

Austin Ekeler is set to return from his extended absence tonight. What do you expect tonight from the Pro Bowler?

BH: The Chargers offense is better with Austin Ekeler in it. The running back fills an immediate need for the Chargers in the passing game, as Mike Williams is down for the year and Josh Palmer comes into this game banged up. Let’s go with 14 carries for 53 yards and 7 receptions for 49 yards in Ekeler’s return.

MK: I expect Ekeler to step right back in as a vital part of this team’s offense. He’ll be busy rushing the ball and just as busy receiving it. The Chargers finally get back a key cog to their offense.

JA: Ekeler has been one of the elite, dynamic running backs over the past few seasons. The Chargers are going to need to get him the ball in space tonight to beat these Cowboys. I think the Cowboys come out pissed off after last week and dominate defensively. All this to say, it’ll be a rough first game back for Austin Ekeler.

. Loyalty

After leading the league in interceptions last season, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott hasn’t looked great this year, throwing for under 250 yards three times and picking up just five touchdowns in 5 games. With Trey Lance now in Dallas and Dak due for another payday in 2025, is it time for the Cowboys to move on?

BH: I used to be a big fan of Dak, but my opinion of him has changed in the last three-plus years. I’ll never forgive him for dropping 3 points against a bad Chiefs defense in a fantasy football win-or-go-home game for me. Maybe that creates some bias, but the guy just hasn’t improved in years. I don’t think Trey Lance is the answer, but Dak is not the solution in Dallas.

MK: Dak has kind of proven who he is as a QB. Dallas’ quarterback just doesn’t seem to be a “get the win in big games” kind of player. Sure, he’s had some nice seasons in the past but Dak looks pretty average to start this year after looking below-average in 2022. People just don’t care if you don’t win the big games, especially in Dallas.

JA: I’ll make it simple. One needs to go, either Dak Prescott or head coach Mike McCarthy. My vote is for McCarthy.

. Money Trees

We’ve been on a betting heater fellas, as our plays from the podcast are 11-6 this week. What is your favorite play tonight?

BH: I love Tony Pollard over 93.5 yards from scrimmage. This Chargers defense is not good, and I expect Pollard to get a ton of work in this game after not getting much in last week’s blowout loss.

MK: Give me Ekeler’s over 32.5 receiving yards. I also like the Chargers running back to score a touchdown in his return.

JA: You boys may have missed my unders on the pod this week but don’t worry, I got one tonight. Give me the Chargers under 12.5 first-half points. They’re going to come out flat after the bye and long week. Dallas is going to come out fuming after last week’s embarrassing loss to the 49ers.

. All Eyez on Me

This is a tough one to pick, but who do you think wins tonight?

BH: I like the Cowboys on the road, 33-27.

MK: Cowboys 33 – Chargers – 25

JA: Dallas over LAC : 30-16