Dallas Cowboys Game Preview: Week 11 at Las Vegas Raiders

Cover photo: Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott throws the ball against the Oakland Raiders in a preseason game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Aug. 26, 2017. Photo credit: Matthew Emmons, USA Today.

A rivalry of two of the NFL’s marquee franchises from back in the day gets renewed on Monday Night in Las Vegas as the Dallas Cowboys (3-5-1) visit the Las Vegas Raiders (2-7) from Allegiant Stadium.

The Cowboys, coming off of a bye, will look to shift their momentum in the right direction in what is their second consecutive Monday Night game. In their last game, the Cowboys on Monday Night Football in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals were disappointing in a 27-17 home defeat. 

The NFL’s second worst defense in both points allowed (30.8) and yards (397.4) that will go up against rookie running back Ashton Jeanty (547 yards, four touchdowns) gets a boost on Monday Night in Vegas not only with returning players from injury but also with the addition of their new superstar defensive tackle. 

Quinnen Williams, a 3-time Pro Bowler, was acquired on trade deadline day from the New York Jets for a first and second-round draft pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith. Williams now leads a defensive line unit that instantly becomes better with Kenny Clark and the emerging rookie Donovan Ezeruaku. Linebacker Logan Wilson, acquired from the Cincinnati Bengals, also makes his Cowboy debut on Monday night. 

The Cowboys are also getting key players back from injury, with linebacker and playmaker Demarvion Overshown making his season debut after tearing his knee last season. Shavon Revel, the rookie second-round pick at cornerback from East Carolina, will also make his debut. Coming off of a devastating injury, it may take Overshown some time to return to his playmaking form. Still, his return is a major boost to a defense that has allowed too many big plays all season. Revel, a big corner at 6 feet 2 inches and 194 pounds, has a lot of hype around him for Cowboy fans and hopefully will provide solid play at a position that has not been good this season. Safety Malik Hooker, who injured his toe against the Green Bay Packers in Week 4, is questionable for Monday night. His return would boost the back end. 

Opposing the Cowboys is a Raider team that has lost three consecutive games. The Raiders scored just seven points on the road in Denver in Week 10, with Jeanty rushing for 60 yards. He has tallied just 123 in the last three weeks, and has not eclipsed 100 yards since Week 4, which was the only time that he has done so this season. 

Geno Smith (11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions) is an inconsistent quarterback but gets an easier task in the Dallas D on Monday night. With their returning healthy reinforcements, the Cowboy defense will look to buck the trend that has seen opposing offenses have their way. Jeanty is also due for a big game, and what better way to do that than on a national stage. Williams and Clark in the middle will be difficult to crack though. Overshown, if he is back near his pre-injury form, is a rangy and athletic linebacker who can run. 

The Cowboy offense struggled some against the Cardinals, with Dak Prescott throwing for 250 yards with a touchdown and interception. Running back Javonte Williams ran for 83 yards on 15 carries though, and CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens registered quality numbers (13 catches for 164 yards combined) but did not reach the end zone. While the Cowboys have the third-worst passing defense entering Monday night (254.4 yards allowed), the Raiders are 16th in that category (214.2). The Cowboys are 29th in run defense (143.0 yards surrendered per game), which was a big reason for bringing in Quinnen Williams. The Raiders are 15th in run defense (106.6). The Cowboys 378.4 yards per game entering Monday night is currently third in the NFL. They have the No. 1 passing offense at 257.8 yards per game. 

A point of emphasis for the Cowboy defense is Raider tight end Brock Bowers, who may be the best at his position in the league. Maxx Crosby at left end is going to be a nightmare to deal with for tackles Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele. Crosby figures to be chipped frequently by Cowboys’ tight ends and running backs. 

The Cowboys are coming off one of their worst losses of the season, and have newfound energy and optimism with the acquisitions of Williams and Wilson and the return of Overshown. The team will also surely be playing with high emotions in the wake of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland’s tragic passing. 

The Raiders lead the all-time series between the two clubs 7-6, having defeated the Cowboys on Thanksgiving 2021 by a score of 36-33 in overtime. Prior to that game, the Cowboys had won three consecutive (2017, 2013, 2009), following three consecutive wins from the Raiders (2005, 2001, 1998).

The Raiders struggled in a major way against the Broncos, a team that occupies one of the NFL’s best defenses. While the Cowboys are at the other end of the totem pole defensively, their reinforcements should be enough to carry them to victory on this night. 

Prediction: Cowboys 31 Raiders 20