Dak Prescott, George Pickens star in Cowboys’ win over Raiders

LAS VEGAS — The Dallas Cowboys promised to honor the reminiscence of late teammate Marshawn Kneeland with how onerous they performed Monday evening. They did so with a convincing 33-16 win in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Dak Prescott threw 4 landing passes to 4 totally different cross catchers — George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson and Ryan Flournoy – and a protection that integrated newcomers Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson and welcomed the return of DeMarvion Overshown didn’t permit a landing till the fourth quarter.

By that point, the offense had scored on 5 straight possessions to construct a 31-9 lead.

Kneeland was not removed from the Cowboys’ minds. The workforce wore a blue decal with a No. 94 on their helmets. In pregame warmups, they wore T-shirts that includes his likeness. Through the sport, Kneeland’s jersey was hung behind the Cowboys’ bench.

One win doesn’t erase the ache of shedding a teammate, however for one evening, the Cowboys might smile once more.

Here is what to know from “Monday Night time Soccer” for each groups:

Dallas Cowboys (4-5-1)

What to make of the QB efficiency: Prescott continues to climb to the highest of the Cowboys’ document ebook. Already the workforce chief in completions and completion proportion, he now has probably the most video games with not less than three landing passes in franchise historical past. His 37-yard cross to Pickens within the second quarter was his third Monday, giving him 41 such video games for his profession. Tony Romo had 40, and Danny White is third with 20. Since Prescott entered the league in 2016, solely the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes (46) has extra three-TD video games. Prescott is inching nearer to Romo in profession landing passes as properly. He has 234 to Romo’s 247.

Pattern to look at: Williams had one sack in his first eight video games of the season with the New York Jets, again in Week 1. He ended his career-long streak of video games with out a sack (seven) within the first half of his first sport with the Cowboys. Really, within the first 4 sequence, he had 1.5 sacks, 4 quarterback hits and a deal with for loss. He added a fifth QB hit on the ultimate drive of the half. This was Williams’ first sport since Oct. 26 as a result of he was coming off the bye with the Jets on the commerce deadline and the Cowboys had their bye after buying him. The Cowboys hope extra consolation inside their scheme will result in extra sacks, hits and QB pressures.

Stat to know: Lamb and Pickens didn’t begin the sport due to a coach’s choice. However they successfully completed the Raiders. Within the first half, they mixed for 9 catches, 156 yards and two touchdowns. It was their second-most mixed yards in a primary half this season (182 vs. Washington in Week 7). Pickens had 101 yards and a 37-yard rating. It was his third sport with 100 yards and a landing this season. He had 4 such video games in his first three seasons in Pittsburgh. Lamb had an 18-yard landing and 55 yards within the first half and in addition drew a flag for cross interference. — Todd Archer

Subsequent sport: vs. Philadelphia Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, Nov. 23)

Las Vegas Raiders (2-8)

With the Raiders down two starters on their offensive line due to ankle accidents (left deal with Kolton Miller and proper guard Jackson Powers-Johnson), they have been at a serious drawback within the trenches, and it confirmed all through the evening.

The group of backup left deal with Stone Forsythe, left guard Dylan Parham, backup heart Will Putnam, proper guard Jordan Meredith and proper deal with DJ Glaze barely gave quarterback Geno Smith any time to work inside the pocket. The 35-year-old signal-caller was sacked 4 occasions by Dallas.

Smith was below strain on 41% of his drop-backs within the first half, and he went 3-of-9 for 23 yards. The Raiders’ offensive line struggles additionally made it onerous for them to determine their run sport. Las Vegas completed the sport with 27 dashing yards on 12 makes an attempt.

The offensive line’s efficiency ought to elevate concern forward of Las Vegas’ matchup in opposition to the Cleveland Browns in Week 12. Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett has been the most effective defensive gamers within the league, totaling 15 sacks, together with 4 in Cleveland’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

Most stunning efficiency: Rookie working again Ashton Jeanty was hardly used within the run sport. Jeanty had two carries for 10 yards within the first half. He had an 11-yard carry on the 13:29 mark of the second quarter and did not obtain a handoff for the remainder of the quarter. Coming into the sport, the Cowboys’ protection ranked twenty seventh in yards per carry (4.8).

Stat to know: Within the first half, the Raiders used play-action on 40.6% of Smith’s drop-backs. Smith was 7-of-12 for 124 yards and an interception on such throws. Las Vegas entered Week 11 utilizing play-action on simply 26.6% of Smith’s dropbacks.

Pattern to look at: The Raiders began Kyu Blu Kelly at cornerback after he had two interceptions final week in opposition to Denver. However in opposition to Dallas, he was outmatched. Kelly gave up six catches for 87 yards and a landing on six targets in 27 protection snaps. Kelly has struggled, and with the workforce sitting at 2-8, it is going to be fascinating to see whether or not the Raiders transfer to rookie third-rounder Darien Porter for the remainder of the season. — Ryan McFadden

Subsequent sport: vs. Cleveland Browns (4:05 p.m. ET, Nov. 23)