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Raiders: 5 matchups to watch vs. Cowboys in Week 15

By John Buhler

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raidersshakes hands with Marshawn Lynch No. 24 after a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 26, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raidersshakes hands with Marshawn Lynch No. 24 after a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 26, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 19: NaVorro Bowman No. 53 of the Oakland Raiders warms up prior to their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 19: NaVorro Bowman No. 53 of the Oakland Raiders warms up prior to their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

NaVorro Bowman vs. Dak Prescott

The Raiders have to realize that Prescott’s accuracy as a passer could make for a long night for the Oakland defense. Though he’s not going to throw for well over 300 yards on the Raiders in this game, it is important that inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman is ready for one of his best games of the season.

The veteran leader of this Raiders defense will have to out-think the young and talented Dallas quarterback. Though Prescott has shown that he can get a big win on the road, he has never been to Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum before. The raucous home crowd in Oakland could be a factor in this game for the Dallas offense.

Prescott may be an accurate passer, but he will revert back to dinking and dunking if nothing looks good down field. Alfred Morris can run the ball well, but Prescott would have really like Ezekiel Elliott in this game. This is the last game that Elliott will be suspended by the NFL for domestic violence.

Simply put, Bowman has to not just lead by example in this Raiders’ defense, but be the best player on it on Sunday for the Raiders to win. He’ll need to approach 10 tackles and frankly never leave the field in this ball game. How Bowman plays against Prescott could indicate if the Raiders’ 2017 season is worth saving.

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