LAS VEGAS — The Dallas Cowboys (4-5-1) vowed to honor late edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland with their play following his shocking death on Nov. 6. They carried that emotion into “Monday Night Football” in Week 11, delivering a decisive 33-16 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders (2-8).
Wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens missed the opening series for disciplinary reasons, but both became central figures in the win. Pickens was Prescott’s go-to target throughout the night, finishing with a game-high nine catches for 144 yards and a touchdown.
Lamb’s first reception came in the red zone, breaking open in the middle of the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown that gave Dallas a 10-6 lead early in the second quarter, its first of the night. He totaled five catches for 66 yards and that score.
The Raiders’ attention on Lamb and Pickens created opportunities elsewhere. On fourth-and-1 from Las Vegas’ 5-yard line, defenders crashed toward the sideline to cover both receivers, leaving tight end Jake Ferguson alone in the back of the end zone. Prescott hit him between the numbers for a touchdown that extended the lead to 17-6 with 5:16 remaining in the first half.
Pickens broke the game open right before halftime, putting multiple defenders on skates on a post route before cutting back toward the left sideline for a 37-yard touchdown.
Prescott completed 13 of 19 passes for 268 yards and four touchdowns. His performance marked his 41st career game with at least three passing scores, breaking his tie with Tony Romo (40) for the most in franchise history.
Raiders quarterback Geno Smith, meanwhile, threw his league-high 13th interception of the season, along with a touchdown, while completing 27 of 42 passes for 268 yards. He is now tied with Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for the NFL lead in interceptions. Smith was sacked four times, including once by All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who made his Dallas debut after being acquired at the trade deadline.
To relive all of the biggest moments from this game, check out the live blog below. Here are the biggest takeaways from the cross-conference showdown:Â
George Pickens is about to get PAID
Pickens, 24, is performing like a top-five wide receiver this season. Whether it was leaving Raiders defenders flat-footed on his 37-yard catch-and-run touchdown or breaking multiple tackles on a 21-yard gain, he did a little of everything Monday night. Having him alongside Lamb is an elite luxury for Prescott and head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s offense.
Whether it’s via the franchise tag or a long-term deal, owner and general manager Jerry Jones needs to do whatever it takes to keep Prescott, Pickens and Lamb together for years to come.
Raiders provide perfect tune-up for new-look defense
Entering Week 11, the Cowboys’ 2025 defense was allowing an average of 30.8 points per game — the second most in the NFL and the third most in franchise history through the first nine games of a season. The two-win Raiders entered Week 11 with the league’s second-worst scoring offense (15.4 points per game), providing the perfect antidote for Dallas’ defensive woes.
The addition of trade deadline acquisitions — All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and veteran linebacker Logan Wilson — combined with the return of young contributors DeMarvion Overshown and Shavon Revel Jr., gave the defense a noticeable boost. Williams totaled 1.5 sacks and five quarterback hits Monday night, delivering exactly what Jones envisioned when he traded a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and former 2023 first-round selection Mazi Smith to the Jets for his services.
Monday also allowed Wilson to settle into his new role as the Cowboys’ green-dot defender and primary defensive play-caller. All told, it was an ideal debut showing for defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ revamped unit.
Raiders need a new HC and QB … again
Las Vegas looked lifeless Monday night, and that falls on head coach Pete Carroll, who at 74 is the oldest head coach in NFL history. Despite selecting 2024 Doak Walker Award winner Ashton Jeanty with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has rarely given the rookie an opportunity to develop. The Raiders ran the ball just four times in the first half and only twice with Jeanty. It marked the first time Las Vegas had four or fewer rushes in a half since a 2008 game against the Falcons, per CBS Sports Research.
When they did turn to Jeanty, it backfired; he was handed the ball on a play that resulted in a safety with the Raiders pinned deep in their own territory. He finished with seven yards on six carries.
Jeanty isn’t the only early pick being minimized. Rookie second-round wide receiver Jack Bech had just one target, though he turned it into a 19-yard gain. Failing to involve their top two draft selections, combined with quarterback Geno Smith’s continued struggles, are reasons the Raiders need to move on from all parts of the Carroll era — from the coaching staff to Smith.
The Raiders can save $8 million in salary cap space by releasing Smith next offseason. At 2-8, Carroll is off to the worst start by any head coach in their 19th NFL season or later since 2000. With little developmental progress and mounting losses, Las Vegas may need to consider moving on from this regime in favor of one that better aligns with the modern NFL.