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Dallas Cowboys vs. Las Vegas Raiders Preseason Game Analysis - August 17, 2024

The NFL preseason continues to heat up as the Dallas Cowboys head to Allegiant Stadium to face the Las Vegas Raiders on August 17, 2024. Both teams are coming off close losses in their preseason openers and will be eager to secure a win as they fine-tune their rosters ahead of the regular season. This comprehensive analysis will cover the latest odds, team performances, coaching strategies, and provide a prediction for the game.

Game Odds

Team	Spread	Moneyline	Over/Under
Dallas Cowboys	+6.5 (-110)	+250	Over 39.5 (-110)
Las Vegas Raiders	-6.5 (-110)	-300	Under 39.5 (-110)

Team Analysis

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are coming off a narrow 13-12 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in their preseason opener. Quarterback Trey Lance led the Cowboys’ offense, completing 25-of-41 passes for 188 yards, but he struggled to find the end zone. Lance was also effective on the ground, rushing for 44 yards on six carries, but the Cowboys’ offense as a whole struggled to convert opportunities into points, particularly in the red zone.

On the ground, Lance was the leading rusher, showcasing his dual-threat capability. However, the lack of production from the running backs was concerning, as the Cowboys need to establish a more balanced attack. In the receiving corps, J. Brooks was the standout performer, catching two passes for 49 yards. Brooks’ ability to make plays downfield will be crucial as the Cowboys look to improve their offensive efficiency.

Defensively, the Cowboys were solid, particularly in the secondary, where they limited the Rams to just 188 passing yards. The pass rush was also effective, recording three sacks, but the defense struggled to stop the run, allowing 112 rushing yards. The Cowboys have several key players listed as questionable, including quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, both of whom are unlikely to see action in this preseason game. The Cowboys will need their depth players to step up, particularly on offense, to avoid another close loss.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders are also looking to rebound after a narrow 24-23 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in their preseason opener. Quarterback Gardner Minshew led the Raiders’ offense, completing 6-of-12 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. Minshew’s experience and ability to move the ball efficiently were on display, but the Raiders struggled to establish a consistent running game, which limited their ability to control the clock.

Rookie running back Sincere McCormick was the leading rusher, carrying the ball 11 times for 32 yards. McCormick showed promise, but the offensive line struggled to open up running lanes consistently. In the receiving game, T. Tucker was the standout performer, catching two passes for 73 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown reception. Tucker’s speed and playmaking ability will be key as the Raiders look to stretch the field against the Cowboys’ defense.

Defensively, the Raiders had a mixed performance. While they were able to generate pressure on the quarterback and recorded two sacks, they struggled in pass coverage, allowing 204 passing yards. The Raiders have some injury concerns, particularly on the offensive line, with guard Jackson Powers-Johnson and tackle Kolton Miller both listed as questionable. The Raiders will need to shore up their pass protection and secondary play to secure a win against the Cowboys.

Coaching Analysis

Dallas Cowboys - Mike McCarthy

Mike McCarthy, the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, is known for his offensive expertise and leadership. Now in his fourth season with the Cowboys, McCarthy has focused on developing a balanced offense that can compete at a high level. In the preseason, McCarthy’s emphasis has been on evaluating the depth of his roster and ensuring that his team is prepared for the regular season. McCarthy will be looking for a more disciplined performance from his offense, particularly in the red zone, as the Cowboys continue to fine-tune their approach.

Las Vegas Raiders - Josh McDaniels

Josh McDaniels, the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, is entering his third season with the team. Known for his offensive creativity and ability to develop quarterbacks, McDaniels has been working to build a cohesive and dynamic offense in Las Vegas. The Raiders’ strong performance in their preseason opener, particularly in the passing game, is a testament to McDaniels’ coaching. However, the Raiders’ struggles in the running game and pass coverage will be areas of focus as McDaniels looks to lead his team to a win against the Cowboys.

Recent Performance

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have had a mixed record over their last five games, including both the regular season and the preseason. After finishing the 2023 season with three losses in their final five games, the Cowboys started the 2024 preseason with a close loss to the Rams. The Cowboys’ defense has been solid, particularly in the secondary, but the offense has been inconsistent, particularly in the red zone, where they have struggled to convert opportunities into points.

The Cowboys’ ability to control the tempo of the game with their defense and make timely plays on offense has been key to their recent success. With several key players unlikely to see action in this game, the Cowboys will need their depth players to step up and contribute. The focus will be on improving their offensive execution, particularly in the red zone, as they prepare for the regular season.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders have also had a mixed run of form, winning three of their last five games, including the regular season and preseason. The Raiders’ offense has shown flashes of explosiveness, particularly in the passing game, but consistency has been an issue. The defense has been solid, particularly in generating pressure on the quarterback, but the secondary has been vulnerable to big plays, which could be a concern against the Cowboys’ passing attack.

The Raiders’ ability to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball has been a key factor in their success. However, with several key players dealing with injuries, the Raiders will need to rely on their depth and make adjustments to continue their winning ways. The focus will be on improving their pass coverage and maintaining a balanced offensive attack as they prepare for the regular season.

Head-to-Head Comparison

The Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders have faced each other infrequently in recent years, with their last regular-season meeting coming in 2021, a game the Raiders won 36-33 in overtime. Historically, the Raiders have had the upper hand in the series, winning three of the last five meetings. However, preseason games are less about historical records and more about evaluating current rosters and schemes.

In this matchup, the Raiders appear to have the edge, particularly on offense, where they have shown more consistency and playmaking ability. The Cowboys will need a strong performance from their depth players to keep up with the Raiders, particularly in the passing game, where they have struggled. Both teams have areas of concern, particularly in the red zone and pass coverage, making this an intriguing and closely contested matchup.

ATS Records

In the 2023 regular season, the Dallas Cowboys were 9-8 against the spread (ATS), including a 5-3 ATS record on the road. The Cowboys have been a reliable team to bet on, particularly in close games where their defense has kept them in contention. However, their preseason opener against the Rams was a disappointment, as they failed to cover the spread and struggled to generate any offense.

The Las Vegas Raiders were 8-9 ATS in the 2023 season, including a 4-4 ATS record at home. The Raiders have been more inconsistent against the spread, particularly in games where they have been favored. However, their preseason opener against the Vikings was a solid performance, as they covered the spread as slight underdogs. The spread for this game, with the Raiders favored by 6.5 points, reflects the confidence in their ability to bounce back at home.

Betting Stats and Trends

Dallas Cowboys

• The Cowboys are 0-1 ATS in the 2024 preseason, failing to cover the spread against the Los Angeles Rams.
• Dallas is 2-3 ATS in their last five games overall, including the regular season.
• The total has gone under in three of the Cowboys' last five games, including preseason and regular season.
• The Cowboys have covered the spread in four of their last six games as an underdog.

Las Vegas Raiders

• The Raiders are 0-1 ATS in the 2024 preseason, failing to cover the spread against the Minnesota Vikings.
• Las Vegas is 3-2 ATS in their last five games overall, including the regular season.
• The total has gone over in four of the Raiders' last five games, including preseason and regular season.
• The Raiders have covered the spread in just two of their last six games as a favorite.

Player Spotlight

Dallas Cowboys - Trey Lance

Trey Lance, the Cowboys’ quarterback, had a solid performance in the preseason opener, throwing for 188 yards on 25-of-41 passing while also leading the team in rushing with 44 yards. Lance’s ability to make plays with both his arm and legs will be crucial as the Cowboys look to continue their winning ways. With the Cowboys’ running game struggling, Lance will need to manage the game effectively and avoid turnovers to ensure a successful outing against the Raiders.

Las Vegas Raiders - Gardner Minshew

Gardner Minshew, the Raiders’ backup quarterback, had an impressive performance in the preseason opener, throwing for 117 yards and a touchdown on 6-of-12 passing. Minshew’s experience and ability to make plays in the passing game will be key in this game. If Minshew can continue to make smart decisions and move the ball effectively, the Raiders’ offense will be tough to stop.

Injury Impact

Injuries could play a significant role in this game, particularly for the Dallas Cowboys, who have several key players listed as questionable. Quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb are both important contributors, and their absence could impact the Cowboys on both sides of the ball. Without Prescott and Lamb, the Cowboys’ passing game could be less effective, particularly in stretching the field and creating big plays.

The Las Vegas Raiders are also dealing with injuries, particularly on the offensive line, where guard Jackson Powers-Johnson and tackle Kolton Miller are both questionable. The absence of these key players could impact the Raiders’ ability to protect the quarterback and open up running lanes, which would further complicate an already struggling offense. The coaching staff will need to make adjustments and rely on their depth to maintain their competitive edge.

Weather and Venue Impact

The weather for this game is expected to be hot, with temperatures around 99 degrees in Las Vegas, NV. However, Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders, is an indoor venue with a controlled environment, so weather conditions will not be a factor during the game. The stadium’s atmosphere is known for being one of the most electric in the NFL, even during the preseason, and the Raiders will look to use their home-field advantage to build momentum and put on a strong performance for their fans.

The Dallas Cowboys will need to stay focused and execute their game plan despite the challenging environment. Allegiant Stadium can be a difficult place for visiting teams to play, particularly with the passionate Raiders fan base creating a hostile atmosphere. The Cowboys will need to maintain their composure and execute their game plan to have a chance of securing a win.

Historical Context

The Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders have a limited history, with just a handful of regular-season meetings over the years. The most recent meeting came in 2021, a game the Raiders won 36-33 in overtime in a thrilling Thanksgiving Day matchup. Historically, the Raiders have had the edge in the series, winning three of the last five meetings, but the Cowboys have been competitive in most of these matchups.

This preseason game provides both teams with an opportunity to evaluate their rosters and build momentum for the regular season. While the outcome of the game may not carry the same weight as a regular-season matchup, the performances in this game could have implications for future meetings. Both teams will be looking to gain an edge as they prepare for the challenges ahead in the 2024 season.

 

Prediction