Oakland Raiders: 5 keys to victory vs. Dallas Cowboys in Week 15

Try to have Dak Prescott beat you with deep passes down field.

We can’t expect this Raiders defense to shut down Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott entirely. He’s an accurate passer that can make plays with his legs. Prescott is a tough kid and will give the Cowboys a chance to win in this game. However, there is a pathway to beating Prescott in this one.

Oakland will have to neutralize the run first, as Prescott feeds off a strong Dallas running game. From there, have him try to beat the Raiders with deep passes down field. Though he can stretch the field with his arm, that is not his forte as an NFL quarterback. He would rather target guys like Cole Beasley and Jason Witten between the numbers in the short-to-medium passing game.

Prescott’s accuracy diminishes the further down the field he throws it. Even the Raiders secondary could find ways to pick off errant throws by Prescott. We have seen in his sophomore season out of Mississippi State that Prescott will throw picks in bunches.

Though Prescott does have two receiving weapons on the outside in Dez Bryant and Terrance Williams, Bryant is past his prime as a No. 1 wideout and Williams isn’t exactly Mr. Reliable at No. 2. Forcing Prescott into third and longs where he has to stretch the field with his arm is a great way this Raiders defense can get a leg up on the Cowboys.