The Dallas Cowboys quickly moved on from offensive coordinator Kellen Moore after their 2022 season ended. Soon after being dismissed, Moore was hired as the Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator. Now, one of the NFL’s best play-callers has a shot at revenge in Week 6.
While Moore’s departure from Dallas was announced as a mutual parting of ways, reports made it clear that it was a change wanted by head coach Mike McCarthy. With Moore gone, McCarthy could take over as play-caller once again and run an offense that he felt would make the team significantly better.
However, the results entering Monday Night Football leave something to be desired. While the Cowboys have a winning record at 3-2, their offense hasn’t looked nearly as effective since McCarthy took over the controls.
- Dallas Cowboys offense stats 2023: 26.8 PPG (8th in NFL), 327.4 total yards per game (16th), 4.9 yards per play (21st in NFL), 36.84% red-zone touchdown rate (28th)
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- Dallas Cowboys offense stats 2022: 26.8 PPG (4th in NFL), 354.8 total yards per game (10th), 5.4 yards per play (14th in NFL), 71.43% red-zone touchdown rate (1st)
As for Moore, he’s enjoying life as the architect of the Chargers’ offense. Los Angeles has scored 24-plus points in every game this season. Entering NFL games today, the Chargers are averaging the fifth-most total yards per game (388.8) and are seventh in scoring (27.5 PPG), both marks beating Dallas.
With the Cowboys vs Chargers matchup set up for primetime on ESPN and ABC< all eyes are focused on Moore’s chance at revenge against Dallas. However, the play-caller isn’t viewing Monday’s game as a shot to prove the Cowboys made the wrong call.
Asked by reporters this week if he feels any extra motivation ahead of the Cowboys’ game, the Chargers’ offensive coordinator made it clear that isn’t the case.
“No, obviously we’re at 2-2, we’ve got an awesome game right here against a really good team that’s played some really good football. Obviously, it’s fun to see people that you spent a lot of time with in Dallas, but after that aspect of it you’ve just got to get to a football game.
Kellen Moore on if he’s extra motivated to face the Dalals Cowboys (H/T Chargers.com)
While Moore is playing it smart publicly, McCarthy’s comments are likely remembered by the Chargers’ locker room. During the offseason, the Cowboys’ coach made it clear that Moore always wanted to “light up the scoreboard”, while McCarthy cared about running the football.
Just as Nathaniel Hackett downplayed facing Sean Payton a week ago, Moore isn’t providing any headlines or creating distractions ahead of the Cowboys’ matchup. However, you can bet Chargers’ players will feel extra motivated to light up Dallas on Monday.
