By Jamal Baker
NDG Contributing Writer
With heavy hearts, the Dallas Cowboys snapped a two-game losing streak against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night at Allegiant Stadium. In Dallas’ first game since the death of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, the team wore custom Kneeland T-shirts during pregame warmups.
While the Cowboys were navigating grief and a heavy emotional toll, they rallied together as a group and played inspiring football in a dominant 33-16 victory.
“So proud of these guys. I mean, the way that they grieved, cried (and) laughed. But they wanted to honor (Kneeland), and we’re not done honoring him. He’s a part of our family forever,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said postgame. “But it’s been tough, man. I mean, these past 11 days been really tough. I’m proud of those guys, because just the way they played (Monday). They played with Marshawn’s to play style.”
The defensive line unit played with a relentless effort the entire night and the impact of former All-Pro Quinnen Williams was instantly felt in his first game with the Cowboys.
Williams finished the game with five quarterback hits, four combined tackles and 1.5 sacks.
“I want to keep stacking these, man,” said Williams. “I want to keep stacking these performances, and I want to keep getting better week in and week out. And it’s just the main goal, man, to keep getting better, keep stacking up the good things, fix the bad things, and win football games.”
The Cowboys also received stellar play from defensive tackles Osa Odighizuwa and three-time Pro Bowler Kenny Clark, who consistently generated pressure in the middle of the pocket.
Edge rushers James Houston and Donovan Ezeiruaku continue to be bright spots for the Dallas defense, as the former recorded a sack and the latter notched his first career safety.
“I’m playing with some great individuals,” said Williams. “You got Kenny Clark, you’ve got Osa, you’ve got [Ezeiruaku] … the guys around me were playing unbelievable. It helped me. All I just kind of needed to do was my job. Having a great group of guys around me makes it easy for me.”
In what was one of their most inspiring performances yet, the defense will look to build on the relentless effort and momentum they put on film Monday night.
Now let’s get to the offense.
In an explosive performance, Dak Prescott threw four touchdown passes to four different receivers—George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson and Ryan Flournoy.
Prescott now has the most games with at least three touchdown passes in franchise history—totaling 41 such games for his career.
Wide receiver George Pickens also had a dominant performance—recording nine catches for 144 yards and one touchdown.
Pickens holds the franchise record for the most receiving yards through his first 10 games with 908, and he now ranks second all-time in Cowboys history for receiving yards in a ‘Monday Night Football’ game.
“[Pickens] is a one-of-a-kind guy. Special individual. Elite. Has a great feel for the game. Loves the game, plays the game like a kid. I mean, when you watch him play, I’m sure, right, the energy, the celebrations, like that’s contagious, you know,” Prescott said.
With a 4-5-1 record, the Cowboys face a daunting stretch ahead and will look to pick up a crucial win against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
