Breaking down the Oakland Raiders’ overall showing vs Dallas Cowboys

Aug 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack (52) against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Raiders 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Khalil Mack Continues to Grow With Reps

I actually thought 1st-round pick Khalil Mack looked good during the time he was out there in the preseason opener. He had a couple of near-sacks, set the edge well in the run game and was good in coverage. But many didn’t see it that way because of the expectations on Mack, thinking he should have had three sacks in the first quarter.

Then the joint practices, Mack had to go up against Cowboys elite left tackle Tyron Smith in 1-on-1 drills. Yes, the same Smith gave up only one sack and committed only one holding penalty all of last year. But according to Scott Bair of NBC Bay Area.com, Mack, “Sped right past Smith to the inside, which aggravated Cowboys coaches to an extent that made the pair go again. Mack blew by him again, something Cowboys reporters said hasn’t happened often in this camp.”

We already saw LaMarr Woodley and Justin Tuck put mad heat on the quarterback in the preseason game and that has reportedly continued. Weak side linebacker Sio Moore and even nose tackle Pat Sims had a sack a piece of the six the had against the Vikings. After being so horrible last year, the Raiders now have a pass rush that you can bet on to pressure opposing quarterbacks every week.