The Cowboys get the job done in Las Vegas. Though the first two offensive drives showed signs of a rocky game. This time it was the defense that kept Dallas alive early. Then it would be Dak Prescott getting into his groove with 4 passing touchdowns on the day, Cowboys win 33-16 over the Raiders.
This was the first game since the tragic passing of teammate Marshawn Kneeland, and the Cowboys honored Kneeland with t-shirts and wearing the #94 decal on their helmet. The team wanted to pay tribute by how they play, and the defense did just that.
Per ESPN Research, Dallas had 16 pressures on Geno Smith (33% rate) with 9 different players getting involved, Osa Odighizuwa and Quinnen Williams both had 3 of those 16.
Quinnen Williams made an impact on his debut with 1.5 sacks and it is safe to say that he made everyone around him better. Kenny Clark got in the backfield, Donovan Ezeiruaku with a safety. James Houston and Jadeveon Clowney with sacks.
The secondary took turns keeping Brock Bowers under control, DaRon Bland and Caelen Carson with PBUs in the endzone on Bowers. Kenneth Murray tipped one to Markquese Bell for an INT. Overshown was limited on reps, he ran around and got Jeanty once on a TFL.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Cowboys went 3 & out and later Prescott was sack fumbled by Maxx Crosby. But after the holding the Raiders to just 6 points. The Cowboys offense got rolling. George Pickens had an unstoppable night, he was tough to bring down. Nine catches for 144 yards and a touchdown.
It is important to note that due to disciplinary actions, both Ceedee Lamb and George Pickens did not get the start, and missed the opening drive. Coach Schottenheimer did not expand on what exactly happened, “a couple things were missed.”
My Thoughts
The Raiders by no means are a good football team, the offensive line is bad and they played like it. The Cowboys were all over Jeanty and pressured Geno to create errors, which he has done all year.
Of course this is a team you are supposed to beat by double. But the Cowboys have struggled and have lost to teams they should beat like Arizona. Dallas needed this game, with so much going on the past two weeks.
The Cowboys are 4-5-1 and they don’t have a lot of wins, so they shouldn’t apologize for winning football games. They took care of business in Las Vegas and won’t get home until 3am Tuesday.
A short week until a home game against Philadelphia…3 days later they play the Chiefs…week later they play in Detroit. This is the gauntlet that needs to be conquered to sniff the playoffs.
On Monday, they definitely did everything to get the groove right.
Brett's Cowboys Corner 
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