The Las Vegas Raiders were in must-win mode heading into the Week 12 battle against Dallas, and they worked overtime to pick up the 36-33 victory.
Going into their matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, the Las Vegas Raiders were in must-win mode, this after losing three straight games after the bye week. That skid took a 5-2 start and turned it into a 5-5 record, and on the outside looking in at the AFC Playoffs.
In a crucial game on the road, the Raiders came out swinging, as Derek Carr his DeSean Jackson for a deep touchdown to open the scoring. Though that would be Jackson’s only catch of the half, he would be a big factor for the Silver and Black, as two key defensive pass interference calls on Anthony Brown extended drives.
It was a fairly high-scoring opening frame, as Dallas countered with a touchdown of their own, and then Josh Jacobs would find the end zone from one yard out. A Daniel Carlson field goal would give the Silver and Black a 17-6 lead, but right before the half, the Cowboys drove down the field and were able to score a touchdown with under a minute to go.
Going into the half with a 17-13 lead, Las Vegas needed to continue to protect the football, and take some shots downfield, and that is exactly what they did. During the first half, star tightened Darren Waller went down with a knee injury, and that is something that will have to be monitored going forward.
Raiders beat Cowboys in thrilling fashion
The key in the second half for the Raiders was not only the offense putting pressure on the Dallas defense, but how well the Silver and Black played on defense. They were able to force some crucial three-and-outs, and every time it looked like the Cowboys would get back in the game, the defense would get a stop.
However, Dallas would finally get it going, and with Dak Prescott throwing for over 200 yards in the fourth quarter alone, the Cowboys would come all the way back to force overtime thanks to a Greg Zuerlein field goal with under thirty seconds left in the frame. That would force overtime, with the Raiders losing the coin toss, giving Dallas the ball.
That Raiders defense would show up for the final time, getting a three-and-out, putting the ball back in Carr’s hands. Like he has done his entire career, Carr orchestrated the game-winning drive, with Daniel Carlson knocking home the field goal for a 36-33 victory.
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All told, it was just the kind of win that the Raiders needed, as the offense finally got rolling, and the defense showed that they can get stops when needed. Sure, the Cowboys were without some key playmakers in Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb in this one, but this was a total team win, and one the franchise can be proud of as they cap off their Thanksgiving Day.