Cowboys secure win over Raiders in first game since Marshawn Kneeland death

On an evening of mourning, the Dallas Cowboys honored their late teammate Marshawn Kneeland with a victory.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer had his eyes closed, as did many others on the sidelines throughout the nationwide anthem in Las Vegas, sporting a T-shirt honoring Kneeland, the 24-year-old who died by suicide earlier this month. Schottenheimer and the Cowboys hadn’t performed since Nov. 3, having parted methods in Week 10, and the group had been hurting because the information broke three days after their “Monday Night time Soccer” loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Each groups honored Kneeland with a second of silence earlier than kickoff, after which the Cowboys went out and dominated the Las Vegas Raiders, 33-16, to get again within the win column this season.

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Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer stands on the sideline throughout the nationwide anthem previous to the sport in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 17, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Photos)

The Cowboys protection, a unit that has struggled a lot of the season, flew all around the subject and disrupted the Raiders offense led by quarterback Geno Smith, who was sacked 4 instances within the group’s eighth lack of the season. Rookie Quinnen Williams, acquired from the New York Jets earlier than the NFL commerce deadline, had 1.5 sacks in his Cowboys debut, whereas his counterpart in defensive deal with Kenny Clark added half a sack. James Houston and Osa Odighizuwa every recorded a sack within the win.

On offense, Dak Prescott and firm had been cooking because the veteran quarterback threw for 4 touchdowns and 268 yards.

It was an attention-grabbing begin for Dallas, who went three-and-out to open the sport in a collection by which each CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens didn’t see the court docket. ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters stated throughout the “Monday Night time Soccer” broadcast that it was a coach’s resolution to place the star receivers on the primary drive.

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Issues did not get higher when Maxx Crosby sacked Prescott on the subsequent drive, although the Cowboys protection managed to carry the Raiders to only three factors off turnovers in their very own crimson zone.

(L-R) George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys have fun a landing throughout the second quarter in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 17, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ian Maule/Getty Photos)

When Pickens and Lamb got here into the sport after these collection, they set to work straight away.

Each receivers scored touchdowns, with Lamb getting the primary on an 18-yard strike from Prescott on the group’s third drive. Then, after Prescott discovered tight finish Jake Ferguson, Pickens made a number of defenders miss on a powerful 37-yard catch-and-run into the tip zone to blow the sport open, 24-6, close to the tip of the primary half.

Pickens had fairly a recreation in Sin Metropolis, accumulating 9 receptions for 144 yards and a landing to guide all gamers in each classes. Lamb completed with 5 receptions for 66 yards, whereas Javonte Williams carried 22 instances for 93 yards on the bottom.

In the meantime, Smith was below stress all through however nonetheless managed to go 27 of 42 for 238 yards, with one landing move to Tre Tucker within the fourth quarter. Tucker completed with 4 catches for 47 yards.

Tight finish Brock Bowers did his greatest to spark the Raiders, catching seven of his 12 targets for 72 yards. However it was a pass-heavy strategy all night time, with rookie operating again Ashton Jeanty getting simply six carries for seven yards.

Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys warms up earlier than the sport in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 17, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Christian Petersen/Getty Photos)

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In actual fact, the decisive play for Dallas got here when the protection stopped Jeanty within the Raiders’ finish zone for a security. It was a 31-16 recreation with loads of time left within the fourth quarter, however the Cowboys slammed the door shut from that time on.

The Cowboys, now 4-5-1, will proceed regardless of the tragedy that rocked their locker room. They return dwelling subsequent week for an NFC East showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium, the place they hope to start out a successful streak.

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