LAS VEGAS — The Dallas Cowboys rested nearly every player who is anticipated to start Week 1 against Cleveland, including Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, Zack Martin, and a number of others. This despite the fact that the Las Vegas Raiders played their starters into the third quarter on Saturday night.
However, it was challenging to determine that from the on-field play. In their second preseason game, Dallas appeared to be the superior club and won 27–12 at Allegiant Stadium.
Trey Lance, the quarterback for the Cowboys, was the game’s MVP. He appeared more assured than in Dallas’ preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams the previous weekend.
Here are some other observations from Saturday night.
Better in the Second Year? In his second NFL season, could Brandon Aubrey be even more effective? It will be difficult to surpass his first-team All-Pro performance from the previous season, when he made an NFL-high 36 field goals, 10 of which were from 50 yards or more. He made field goals from 66 and 54 yards, demonstrating his exceptional play against the Raiders. As the first half came to a close, the 66-yard touchdown would have tied an NFL record. Shortly after the score that put Dallas ahead 13–6 at halftime, the NFL released a side-by-side image of Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy’s response. The kick appeared to be good from a distance greater than 70 yards.
“Kicking in pregame, I noticed the ball was flying a lot better than (at training camp),” Aubrey said. “Oxnard is a tough place to kick. L.A. is the same, so coming out here, there’s no wind. It’s perfect conditions. Nice grass field with a little bit of elevation being in Vegas. It’s a good place to play.”
Mike McCarthy was pumped for Brandon Aubrey’s 66-yard field goal 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Mr6QWJJQMu
— NFL (@NFL) August 18, 2024
first-round selection. Tyler Guyton was supposed to play more than he did in the opening preseason game. Guyton ended up starting the first half at left tackle. He had little action against right tackle Matt Waletzko and three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who mostly lined up on the left end. Guyton still has the right appearance. It would be shocking if he was not the starting left tackle in Week 1 at this point. Asim Richards at left guard, rookie Cooper Beebe at center, and T.J. Bass at right guard were Dallas’ other starting offensive line members.
Other novices. LB, a third-round selection Early on, Marist Liufau was active. On the second series for the defense, he had a terrific run stop. Gardner Minshew, the starting quarterback for Las Vegas, was likewise put under pressure by him. Additionally applying pressure throughout the play, second-round pick DE Marshawn Kneeland assisted in forcing a field goal attempt by the Raiders. Later on, Kneeland made a strong run stop. Minshew had a difficult evening, finishing just 10 of 21 passes for 95 yards and a passer rating of 60.6.
“I definitely feel more comfortable, more comfortable within the defense and confident whenever I go out there,” Liufau said. “I think it’s due to my preparation and how I attack my process. … I think it grows by the day. Every day I feel more comfortable.”
Dece Vaughn. With some great maneuvers to create space, the second-year running back appeared to be the same talent we saw in the preseason of last year. The best rush of the game came on Vaughn’s second carry, when he used a juke move to freeze a defender and gain twelve yards. Vaughn gained 25 yards on his first three runs. In the end, he gained 34 yards on five carries. A strong performance by him, especially in light of the fact that he just returned to practice following a few weeks away due to a hamstring injury.
“For the past two weeks, I’ve been itching to play football,” Vaughn said. “Missing the first preseason game was tough. … Just staying warm on the sideline, trying to be ready for every opportunity that I get.”
dancin' deuce 🕺
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 18, 2024
📺: #DALvsLV on CBS 11
📲: Stream on NFL+ ➡️ https://t.co/LvklCbZgQM pic.twitter.com/XOEFJhEEtw
One more intercept. Early in the fourth quarter, Cowboys CB Kemon Hall intercepted Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell and returned it 69 yards for a touchdown. Dallas had intercepted five times in its last two preseason games. Last season, the Cowboys averaged one per game. In 2021, they had a league-high 26. With Trevon Diggs on one side of the field and DaRon Bland on the other, they ought to remain among the league leaders in that regard. Dallas did not field any starting defensive backs for Week 1 on Saturday night.
Atmosphere. That was the loudest a preseason game could get in a stadium. It was obvious as the Cowboys took the field prior to kickoff, even before the crowd filled up. It peaked with a field goal by Aubrey just before halftime and then once more with an interception by Hall. Fans in Dallas were heard yelling, “Let us go Cowboys!” several times.
Update on Mazi Smith. The defensive tackle in his second year missed the trip to Las Vegas while he healed from an allergic reaction he had on Friday in Oxnard, California.McCarthy said after the game that Smith is doing “much better” and “progressing very well.” Smith was on the team bus about to leave for the airport when he needed to exit because of the reaction. “I was passing him as he was coming off the bus,” McCarthy said. “Those things are always serious.”
Latest on CeeDee Lamb. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on the 105.3 Fan pregame show that they are “having the same kind of (contract) talks we’ve been having.” Jones added: “(I’m) not worried about a target date (for the contract), not worried about his shape. Glad he’s not out here risking some injury tonight.”
Additional D-lines added? Jones made it sound before the game that the Cowboys aren’t done attempting to upgrade their defensive line. “Sometimes in the interior (defensive) line, you get a chance to do some things with other clubs right at the end of training camp, in that area,” Jones said. “What you’re witnessing right now is essential. It is critical to watch these guys put in effort. But the last parts of the puzzle will not be revealed tonight.
Be prepared: Due to a knee ailment, Ryan Flournoy had a sluggish start to training camp. The youngster, selected in the sixth round, has been developing gradually and has a significant impact on the Raiders. For a total of 23 yards, he grabbed four passes from Lance, including a 1-yard touchdown reception on a fade route towards the end of the first half.“I’ll tell you what, really just the way he’s come in here, being a small college player,” McCarthy said, “he’s picked it up. Very bright. Fought through injury. The way he’s come back from the injury is impressive.
“He’s just a heck of a football player. He improves every time he gets more opportunities. So there will be some things he can learn from for sure, but I thought he definitely had some production tonight.”
(Photo of Ryan Flournoy: Chris Unger / Getty Images)
