The Chargers can knock their opponent out of playoff contention for the second consecutive week with a win against Dallas on Sunday.

Here’s what LA needs to do on defense to get it done.

Keep Javonte Williams out of the end zone

Williams has scored in his last three games and is sixth in the NFL in rushing yards with 1,113. Dallas has done a good job under first-year coordinator Klayton Adams of establishing the run game and using it to set up some aggressive vertical passing from Dak Prescott. Despite only having two games over 100 rushing yards, Williams has been remarkably consistent, with another seven games in the 75-99 yard range on the ground. LA will need to disrupt that rhythm – the Cowboys are 1-4 when Williams goes under 75 rushing yards this season.

Put a ceiling on the defense

Dallas generates the second-most touchdowns in the NFL when throwing the ball beyond the sticks, which happens to be a situation the Chargers are the best in the league at defending. But RJ Mickens is out and Elijah Molden is questionable. That leaves the Chargers with Tony Jefferson, Marcus Williams, and practice squad veteran Marcus Maye if they want to keep Derwin James Jr. in his Swiss Army Knife role.

Continue getting takeaways

During LA’s three-game win streak coming off the bye, the Chargers’ defense has forced eight turnovers, including five from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in their Week 14 Monday Night Football win. Dallas has not been particularly safe with the ball – their 18 turnovers is tied for 11th-most this season with the Chargers and four other teams – but did not turn it over last week against Minnesota. Los Angeles forced only 12 turnovers in 11 games before this stretch, during which only Seattle (9) and Jacksonville (8) have forced as many turnovers as the Chargers.

Give the offense room to operate

Dallas ranks first in the league in total offense and passing yards per game and is fourth in points per game at 29.1, roughly 6.5 points better than the Chargers offense has mustered this season. Los Angeles has only scored 29 points or more three times this season – Week 6 against Miami, Week 8 against Minnesota, and Week 13 against Las Vegas. That will leave it up to the defense to drag the Cowboys into the mud a bit on Sunday, the same way they did in grimy wins against Philadelphia and Kansas City the last two weeks.