FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys (3-5) are landing in Las Vegas this week with one mission: to hit the Raiders where it hurts and prove they’re far from done. Monday night’s showdown at Allegiant Stadium marks Dallas’ first-ever regular-season game in Sin City. Coming off a bye week, the team is rested, locked in, and ready to pummel. History is on their side too — the Cowboys are 24-12 after a bye, tied for the fourth-most wins in NFL history in that scenario. Add three wins in the last four matchups with the Raiders, and the stage is set for a full-throttle, bone-jarring clash.
Dak and the Passing Attack
Dak Prescott has been a model of consistency this season, completing over 60% of his passes. CeeDee Lamb continues to climb the all-time leaderboards with 531 career receptions — third-most ever through six seasons. George Pickens has been a secret weapon, averaging over 16 yards per catch, racking up 764 yards and six touchdowns. Lamb and Pickens are a nightmare duo for any secondary, and Vegas’ defensive backs better brace for a long night.
Defense: Fast, Furious, and Fearsome
The Cowboys’ defense has a new edge thanks to blockbuster trades. Quinnen Williams is a one-man wall against the run, making stops on over 15% of his snaps — the league’s highest. Linebacker Logan Wilson is ready to take the fight to Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, and rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku is already forcing chaos with five forced incompletions. Turnovers have been Vegas’ Achilles’ heel, and Dallas’ revamped front seven is built to exploit every mistake.
Matchups That Will Decide the Night
- Passing Game vs. Raiders Secondary: Can Dak, Lamb, and Pickens shred a shaky defense?
- Quarterback Duel: Precision vs. poise — Prescott takes on Geno Smith.
- Defense vs. Mistakes: Watch Dallas turn miscues into momentum swings.
Bottom Line
The Cowboys are coming to Vegas off a bye week and ready to show they’re still in the hunt. Monday nights game is a chance to send a message, grab a win, and give their season the spark it needs.
