The NFL returned for Monday Night Football with the Dallas Cowboys going into Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium with more noise surrounding them than usual. The team was returning from the bye, still navigating the emotional weight of losing Marshawn Kneeland, and facing a Raiders squad that’s been searching for stability all season.
What followed was a performance Dallas desperately needed steady, explosive in the right moments, and controlled for four quarters.
For the Raiders, it was another night of good early energy, followed by breakdowns, missed tackles, and a reminder that they’re still a long way from being competitive for four full quarters. Dallas left Las Vegas with a 33–16 win, and the Raiders walked off to another round of questions about where this season is headed.
A First Quarter That Looked Promising for Las Vegas
The game opened with the Raiders doing what they needed to do early: get a stop, take the ball, and get points. They put together a clean first drive and got a field goal to go up 3–0. Dallas answered with a field goal of their own, and the Raiders tacked on another kick to make it 6–3.
Geno Smith looked comfortable early. The offense moved with tempo, the short passing game worked, and the scripted plays set a good tone. But even in that early stretch, the warning signs were there, nothing downfield, no real pressure on Dallas’ defense, and a run game that never really got going. The Cowboys were feeling out the Raiders, and once the second quarter hit, Dallas flipped the switch.
Dallas Takes Control in the Second Quarter
Everything changed as soon as the second quarter started. Dak Prescott hit CeeDee Lamb for an 18-yard touchdown, and the Cowboys finally found rhythm. From that moment on, Dallas controlled the game.
Prescott cooked the Raiders’ secondary throughout the quarter. The Raiders couldn’t get a pass rush, couldn’t stay attached to receivers, and couldn’t settle in defensively. George Pickens became the biggest problem on the field, hitting the Raiders for chunk gain after chunk gain and eventually a deep touchdown that broke the game open.
Dallas put up three touchdowns in the quarter, stacking drive after drive while the Raiders offense stalled out. By halftime, the Cowboys were up 24–9, and Las Vegas had already lost control of the game script.
Raiders’ Offense Falls Into Familiar Patterns
Once Vegas fell behind, they became one-dimensional, something they’ve battled all season. Geno Smith finished with 238 yards on 42 attempts, and while he hit some nice throws, the Cowboys defense didn’t have to respect the ground game at all. There was no balance, no rhythm, and no ability to generate explosive plays.
The offensive line struggled throughout the game. Injuries, depth issues, and communication breakdowns continue to haunt this unit, and Dallas took advantage. The Cowboys defensive front pushed the pocket all night, forcing Smith into tight windows and rushed decisions.
Even when the Raiders moved the ball, drives stalled near midfield or fizzled in the red zone. Vegas kicked too many field goals early and didn’t do anything in the second quarter to slow the Cowboys down. It’s been the story of their year, flashes early, followed by long stretches of stalled offense.
Dallas’ Offense Looks Fully Connected Again
Prescott finished with four passing touchdowns, and the Cowboys looked the most complete they have in weeks. Lamb was sharp, Pickens was dominant, and the play-calling showed confidence. Dallas didn’t force anything special, they simply executed better than the Raiders on every level.
The run game wasn’t overwhelming, but it was balanced enough to keep the Raiders from sitting back in coverage. The Cowboys controlled possession, hit on explosive plays, and took what the defense gave them. After the bye week and all the emotional pressure they’ve carried the last two weeks, this was the kind of response Dallas needed.
Pickens was easily the standout. Nine catches, 144 yards, and a touchdown, and what doesn’t show in the box score is how many times he bailed the Cowboys out on key downs. His ability to get open and punish single coverage changed the entire rhythm of the game.
Cowboys’ Defense Steps Up When It Matters
Dallas’ defense didn’t play a perfect game, but they made the plays they needed to make. They limited the Raiders in the red zone, shut down the run, and forced Las Vegas into obvious passing situations.
The Raiders still have talent at receiver, but Dallas dictated matchups and played fast. When the Cowboys jumped ahead in the second quarter, the defense took full control. Pressure ramped up, coverages tightened, and the Raiders never found a way back into it.
The highlight moment came late, when the Cowboys’ front collapsed the Raiders run game in the end zone and forced a safety, a moment that summed up the night for Las Vegas. No push, no rhythm, no answers.
Fourth Quarter: A Little Life, But Not Enough
The Raiders finally found the end zone in the fourth quarter, but it came too late. By then, Dallas had shifted into clock-control mode and wanted to get out healthy. Vegas tried to mount something late, but the Cowboys didn’t let the game get chaotic.
Dallas added the late safety to push the score to 33–16, sealing the final margin and making sure there was no late-game drama.
Where the Raiders Go From Here
The Raiders now sit at 2–8, and the trend is getting harder to ignore. Every week starts with potential. Every week includes a chapter where they compete. And every week ends the same way, with critical mistakes, poor execution on key downs, and a roster that doesn’t have enough answers in the trenches.
The offense can’t find explosive plays. The defense can’t get off the field. The line issues get worse. The coaching staff hasn’t found a consistent identity. There are individuals playing well, but as a team, things aren’t connecting.
There’s still time to show growth, compete, and evaluate the roster, but the playoff window is closed. The focus now shifts to development, health, and figuring out which players fit long-term.
What This Win Means for Dallas
For the Cowboys, this was pure relief. They needed a clean game after the emotional storm around the franchise. They needed Dak to look sharp. They needed Pickens and Lamb to make plays. They needed the defense to steady itself.
They got all of it.
Dallas now moves to 4-5-1. Not a perfect record, but close enough to the NFC mix that a late-season push is still very realistic. If this version of the offense becomes the norm again and the defense keeps improving, the Cowboys can make noise in December.
More importantly, this was a response game. A game where Dallas showed resilience, focus, and maturity. They weren’t just playing for a win; they were playing for their locker room, for their emotions, and for a teammate who won’t be on the field with them again.
A Clean Win, A Clear Message
Monday night wasn’t a thriller or a shootout. It was a steady, composed, controlled win from the Cowboys, and a familiar collapse from the Raiders. Dallas left with confidence. The Raiders left with more questions.
For a November primetime game, that’s about as clear a message as you’re going to get.
