Cowboys Roll Past Raiders on MNF

by Jake Lax, November 19, 2025

Source: AP Photo

Week 11 of the NFL season finished on Monday Night Football, with the Dallas Cowboys taking on the Las Vegas Raiders. The Cowboys came into this game at 3-5-1 and 2nd place in the NFC East. The Raiders are 2-7 on the season and have lost their last 3 games.

The Cowboys took the opening kickoff to start the game, but they were without their two star receivers. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens were both benched to start the game on the first drive as a coach’s decision and intended as a brief disciplinary measure. Without Lamb and Pickens, the offense struggled on their first drive, going 3 and out after an incompletion on 3rd and short.

Raiders Open with Early Momentum

On the first play for the Raiders offense, quarterback Geno Smith found his tight end, Brock Bowers, for 18 yards. Las Vegas then failed to get a first down, giving the ball back to the Cowboys on a punt. As the Dallas offense came back onto the field, they fed the ball to running back Javonte Williams. Williams was able to pick up a first down, but immediately after, quarterback Dak Prescott was strip-sacked by the Raiders’ defensive end, Max Crosby. Las Vegas was able to recover the ball, getting their offense back on the field.

With excellent field position deep in the red zone, the Raiders had a prime opportunity. But the offense couldn’t generate any real movement, stalling out after a pair of short gains. On 3rd-and-12, Geno Smith looked for wide receiver Tre Tucker in the end zone, but the pass was incomplete. Las Vegas was forced to settle for a 35-yard field goal, giving the Raiders a 3–0 lead over the Cowboys.

The Cowboys answered, moving just far enough for Brandon Aubrey to knock in a 50-yard field goal and tie the game at 3–3. The Raiders then pushed the ball downfield before stalling near the red zone. Kicker, Daniel Carlson, then hit a 45-yard field goal to put Las Vegas back in front, 6–3.

Prescott Sparks Cowboys Offense

Dak Prescott then connected with George Pickens for gains of 19 and 15 yards, pushing Dallas deep into Raider’s territory. Prescott was then able to hit CeeDee Lamb in the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown, giving the Cowboys a 10–6 lead.

After forcing a Raiders punt, the Dallas offense stayed hot. Prescott continued leaning on George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb, marching the Cowboys back into the red zone. Facing 4th-and-1, Prescott delivered again, finding tight end Jake Ferguson for a 5-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 17–6.

Geno Smith was picked off on the next Raiders possession, giving the Cowboys the ball back with plenty of time before halftime. Dallas took full advantage, as Dak Prescott found George Pickens deep for a 37-yard touchdown, stretching the lead even further. The Raiders managed to salvage a quick field goal in the final seconds, heading into the locker room trailing 24–9.

The Raiders opened the second half with a quick three-and-out, giving the Cowboys the ball right back. Dallas picked up where they left off, with Prescott repeatedly turning to George Pickens, who racked up 43 yards on the drive alone. The Cowboys marched down to the 2-yard line, where Prescott fired his fourth touchdown of the night, a short strike to wide receiver Ryan Flournoy. Dallas extended its lead to a commanding 31–9.

On the next Raiders drive, Geno Smith leaned heavily on his tight ends, Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer, using quick passes to move the offense into the red zone. Facing 4th-and-4, Smith kept it himself and scrambled for a crucial 7-yard pickup to keep the drive alive. On the very next play from the 6-yard line, Smith hit Tre Tucker for a touchdown, trimming the deficit to 31–16.

After forcing a Cowboys three-and-out, the Raiders took over, backed up at their own 1-yard line. But disaster struck immediately, running back Ashton Jeanty was swallowed up in the end zone for a safety, giving Dallas two more points and the ball right back. This would lead to the Cowboys taking the win 33-16.

Final Stats and Takeaways

• Dak Prescott: 25/33, 268 Yards, 4 TDs
• George Pickens: 9 Receptions, 144 Yards, 1 TD
• CeeDee Lamb: 5 Receptions, 66 Yards, 1 TD

The Raiders fall to 2-8 on the season, for their 4th straight loss. Las Vegas will take on the Cleveland Browns in week 12, where they should see the first start from Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The Cowboys improve to 4-5-1 and keep their playoff hopes alive for now. Dallas will be back at home in week 12, where they’ll face the Philadelphia Eagles in a huge NFC East matchup.