The Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders enter their Monday night time conflict separated by lower than two video games within the over NFL standings however in vastly completely different positions by way of practical expectations for the remainder of the season.
The Raiders are 2-7, final place within the AFC West and nearer to a battle for the No. 1 general draft decide subsequent spring than for a playoff spot this season. The Cowboys are a meager 3-5-1, however are clinging to playoff aspirations as they welcome in important reinforcements for the league’s Thirty first-ranked protection.
ODDS & TRENDS
Dallas has dropped consecutive video games because it travels for Week 11, however the Cowboys are nonetheless consensus 3.5-point favorites. They’ve been backed by 71% of the spread-line cash at BetRivers, the place their -190 moneyline has drawn one-sided motion with 95% of the cash and 90% of the overall bets.
Las Vegas has didn’t cowl the unfold in 4 consecutive video games towards NFC opponents and has misplaced 17 of its previous 18 video games as underdogs.
In the meantime, 5 of Dallas’ previous six video games have gone Over the overall factors line, which had shifted from 50 to 49 at BetRivers by Monday afternoon. That is regardless of the general public backing the Over with 68% of the cash.
PROP PICKS
–Cowboys QB Dak Prescott 2+ TD Passes (-189 at DraftKings): The Raiders have surrendered 12 passing touchdowns by means of 9 video games, regardless of typically falling behind and dealing with run-heavy assaults from their opponents. Prescott has thrown 17 touchdowns, together with two or extra in 5 video games to date, resulting in this being the preferred participant prop on the ebook.
–Raiders QB Geno Smith Anytime INT (-155 at BetRivers): Smith has thrown 12 picks already, together with eight by means of 4 residence video games. General, Smith has thrown a minimum of one interception in 10 consecutive residence video games relationship again to final season with Seattle.
INSIDE EDGE
Cowboys large receiver George Pickens is third amongst all NFL large receivers with 12 receptions of 20+ yards this season. In the meantime, teammate Jake Ferguson is second amongst all tight ends with 10 receptions within the pink zone, in response to Inside Edge’s Outstanding engine.
KEY STAT
Dallas’ offense is averaging 40.3 factors per sport in its three wins to date, along with battling to a 40-40 tie in a Week 4 duel towards Inexperienced Bay. Within the Cowboys’ 5 losses, the offense has crossed the 24-point plateau solely as soon as.
TRAGEDY AND REINFORCEMENTS
Monday will mark the Cowboys’ first sport since tragedy struck the group in the course of the staff’s bye week.
Defensive finish Marshawn Kneeland died through a self-inflicted gunshot wound per authorities after a police chase close to the staff’s facility in Frisco, Texas. Kneeland’s loss of life got here simply days after he recovered a fumble for a landing in Dallas’ 27-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 3.
Whereas members of the Cowboys’ group undoubtedly had their lives modified by the sudden lack of their teammate final week, coach Brian Schottenheimer believes Monday night time will deliver a welcome sense of normalcy.
“I do not suppose there will be a lot that is completely different,” Schottenheimer mentioned. “I feel these guys are going to be excited to be on the market with their brothers and doing what they like to do.”
Simply days earlier than Kneeland’s loss of life, the Cowboys acquired linebacker Logan Wilson (Bengals) and Professional Bowl defensive sort out Quinnen Williams (Jets) earlier than the commerce deadline. They are going to be part of linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who is anticipated to make his season debut after recovering from final yr’s devastating knee damage.
INJURY REPORT
Cowboys defensive sort out Solomon Thomas (calf) was dominated out Saturday after lacking observe all week. Beginning safeties Donovan Wilson (elbow, shoulder) and Malik Hooker (toe) had been restricted, together with 4 others, on Thursday and Friday, however the pair had been full contributors on Saturday.
For the Raiders, large receiver Tyler Lockett (knee) was restricted and linebacker Cody Lindenberg (Achilles) did not observe on Thursday however each had been full contributors on Saturday. Quarterback Aiden O’Connell (proper wrist) has been dominated out regardless of being a full participant at observe all week. O’Connell is on injured reserve along with his 21-day window to return opened on Oct. 29. Smith might be backed up by veteran Kenny Pickett.
THEY SAID IT
–“It isn’t only a distraction for me, it is a distraction for them. A number of them have lived by means of quite a lot of tragedy of their life. Their escape is to come back and be within the locker room with their brothers, put their helmets on, exit to the observe subject. We could be feeling quite a lot of feelings, I am certain we’ll. My hope and what I consider is that it will not really feel that completely different.” –Schottenheimer on the affect of Kneeland’s loss of life on the Cowboys.
–“It has been crappy, and this isn’t what I anticipated to occur. I did not really feel like we might be this far behind initially of the season … It is a kick, it is a blocked kick, it is an OT catch. There are 4 to 5 video games right here that might have flipped identical to that, simply with small margins of higher play, higher execution, higher calls, and all of that.” –Raiders coach Pete Carroll
PREDICTION
The Raiders ought to show a super opponent for a Cowboys staff coming off its bye and taking part in with heavy hearts. Dallas’ passing sport has been buzzing many of the season and Las Vegas’ error-prone offense is the right tonic for the Cowboys’ porous protection as they work Wilson, Williams and Overshown into the fold. –Cowboys 31, Raiders 23
–Area Stage Media
