LAS VEGAS -- The Dallas Cowboys (4-5-1) vowed to honor late edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland with their play following his shocking death on Nov. 6. They carried that emotion into "Monday Night Football" in Week 11, delivering a decisive 33-16 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders (2-8).
Wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens missed the opening series for disciplinary reasons, but both became central figures in the win. Pickens was Prescott's go-to target throughout the night, finishing with a game-high nine catches for 144 yards and a touchdown.
Lamb's first reception came in the red zone, breaking open in the middle of the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown that gave Dallas a 10-6 lead early in the second quarter, its first of the night. He totaled five catches for 66 yards and that score.
The Raiders' attention on Lamb and Pickens created opportunities elsewhere. On fourth-and-1 from Las Vegas' 5-yard line, defenders crashed toward the sideline to cover both receivers, leaving tight end Jake Ferguson alone in the back of the end zone. Prescott hit him between the numbers for a touchdown that extended the lead to 17-6 with 5:16 remaining in the first half.
Pickens broke the game open right before halftime, putting multiple defenders on skates on a post route before cutting back toward the left sideline for a 37-yard touchdown.
Prescott completed 13 of 19 passes for 268 yards and four touchdowns. His performance marked his 41st career game with at least three passing scores, breaking his tie with Tony Romo (40) for the most in franchise history.
Raiders quarterback Geno Smith, meanwhile, threw his league-high 13th interception of the season, along with a touchdown, while completing 27 of 42 passes for 268 yards. He is now tied with Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for the NFL lead in interceptions. Smith was sacked four times, including once by All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who made his Dallas debut after being acquired at the trade deadline.
To relive all of the biggest moments from this game, check out the live blog below. Here are the biggest takeaways from the cross-conference showdown:
Pickens, 24, is performing like a top-five wide receiver this season. Whether it was leaving Raiders defenders flat-footed on his 37-yard catch-and-run touchdown or breaking multiple tackles on a 21-yard gain, he did a little of everything Monday night. Having him alongside Lamb is an elite luxury for Prescott and head coach Brian Schottenheimer's offense.
Whether it's via the franchise tag or a long-term deal, owner and general manager Jerry Jones needs to do whatever it takes to keep Prescott, Pickens and Lamb together for years to come.
Entering Week 11, the Cowboys' 2025 defense was allowing an average of 30.8 points per game -- the second most in the NFL and the third most in franchise history through the first nine games of a season. The two-win Raiders entered Week 11 with the league's second-worst scoring offense (15.4 points per game), providing the perfect antidote for Dallas' defensive woes.
The addition of trade deadline acquisitions -- All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and veteran linebacker Logan Wilson — combined with the return of young contributors DeMarvion Overshown and Shavon Revel Jr., gave the defense a noticeable boost. Williams totaled 1.5 sacks and five quarterback hits Monday night, delivering exactly what Jones envisioned when he traded a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and former 2023 first-round selection Mazi Smith to the Jets for his services.
Monday also allowed Wilson to settle into his new role as the Cowboys' green-dot defender and primary defensive play-caller. All told, it was an ideal debut showing for defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus' revamped unit.
Las Vegas looked lifeless Monday night, and that falls on head coach Pete Carroll, who at 74 is the oldest head coach in NFL history. Despite selecting 2024 Doak Walker Award winner Ashton Jeanty with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has rarely given the rookie an opportunity to develop. The Raiders ran the ball just four times in the first half and only twice with Jeanty. It marked the first time Las Vegas had four or fewer rushes in a half since a 2008 game against the Falcons, per CBS Sports Research.
When they did turn to Jeanty, it backfired; he was handed the ball on a play that resulted in a safety with the Raiders pinned deep in their own territory. He finished with seven yards on six carries.
Jeanty isn't the only early pick being minimized. Rookie second-round wide receiver Jack Bech had just one target, though he turned it into a 19-yard gain. Failing to involve their top two draft selections, combined with quarterback Geno Smith's continued struggles, are reasons the Raiders need to move on from all parts of the Carroll era -- from the coaching staff to Smith.
The Raiders can save $8 million in salary cap space by releasing Smith next offseason. At 2-8, Carroll is off to the worst start by any head coach in their 19th NFL season or later since 2000. With little developmental progress and mounting losses, Las Vegas may need to consider moving on from this regime in favor of one that better aligns with the modern NFL.
Dallas defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa sacks Raiders quarterback Geno Smith to get a turnover on downs. Dallas ball at the Raiders' six up 33-16
Facing a fourth-and-1 at the Raiders' four, Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb broke wide open in the left flat. Quarterback Dak Prescott threw the football a little hard and a little out in front, but the football still hit Lamb's hands before hitting the Allegiant Stadium turf for an incomplete pass and a turnover on downs. The Raiders take over on their own four down 33-16 with 3:56 left to play.
Dallas' punt ended up pinning Las Vegas on their own two to start the drive. Then, a false start penalty pushed them back to the one. That allowed Cowboys edge rushers Donovan Ezeiruaku and Sam Williams to combine to stuff Jeanty for a one-yard loss and a safety. Dallas now leads 33-16.
Chants of "Let's go Cowboys" are ringing throughout Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas quarterback Geno Smith found wide receiver Tre Tucker on a screen for a six-yard screen pass that resulted in the home team's first touchdown of the night at the start of the fourth quarter. They're now within two scores, trailing by 15, 31-16, with 13:22 left to play.
Prescott now has his 13th career game with four or more passing touchdown, extending his record for the most such games in Cowboys history. His latest of the night is a two-yarder to wide receiver Ryan Flournoy. The four touchdowns have been to four different players: CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson, George Pickens and now Flournoy. Dallas leads 31-9 with 6:19 left in the third quarter.
Pickens broke four or five tackles en route to a 21-yard gain to begin the second half. He's dominating and now over 120 yards on the night.
A loss of three by running back Ashton Jeanty on first down puts Las Vegas in too big of a hole to overcome. They go three-and-out and punt the ball back to Dallas for a touchback. The Cowboys lead 24-6.
Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens just did the Antonio Brown celebration by jumping into the goal post after his 37-yard receiving touchdown. Hilarious player. Naturally, he did get called for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Dallas Cowboys lead 24-6 with 1:10 let to play after Pickens put the Raiders defense on skates.
Cowboys linebacker Kenneth Murray tipped Raiders quarterback Geno Smith's over the middle throw intended for tight Brock Bowers, and the football then landed in the waiting arms of Dallas safety Markquese Bell for the interception. He returned the pick 24 yards from the seven all the way out the Dallas 41 with 3:09 left in the half. The Cowboys maintain a 17-6 lead.
The Raiders defense parted toward the sideline to defend Cowboys wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, which left the middle of the end zone wide open for tight end Jake Ferguson on fourth-and-1 from the five. All Ferguson had to do was turn around, and Prescott put the football right between the numbers for the score. The Cowboys now lead 17-6 with 5:16 left in the first half.
Dallas' prized trade deadline acquisition is making his presence felt early. He bull rushed right through the middle of the Raiders' offensive line to drag Las Vegas quarterback Geno Smith down for nine-yard sack. That's the first for Williams as a Cowboys, and it led to Raiders being forced to punt. Dallas leads 10-6 early in the second quarter.
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb broke wide open after the Raiders defense bit on a fake toss by quarterback Dak Prescott. Lamb had all day to corral Prescott's play-action pass in the middle of the touchdown for an 18-yard touchdown. The Cowboys had been peppering the Raiders' defense with intermediate targets to George Pickens for gains of 15 and 19 to begin the drive, and then they were able to find Lamb for the score once Las Vegas started shifting more toward Pickens. The Cowboys have their first lead of the night, 10-6, with 14:51 left before halftime.
It's been bend but don't break defense for the Cowboys thus far tonight. Las Vegas got down to the red zone again, but after a sack by Dallas edge rusher James Houston, the Raiders had to settle for another field goal. Las Vegas leads once again by three, 6-3, with 2:02 left in the first quarter.
Dallas picked up a couple first downs, but the drive stalled out after a couple incompletions following a seven-yard run by Javonte Williams. Brandon Aubrey's 50-yard field goal was right down the middle to tie the game at 3-3 with 5:36 left to play.
The Cowboys defense played some nice complementary football. Defensive tackle Kenny Clark sacked Raiders quarterback Geno Smith on the first play of the Raiders' drive, and Las Vegas eventually had to settle for a 35-yard field goal after a five-yard checkdown to running back Ashton Jeanty and an incomplete pass to wide receiver Tre Tucker. Las Vegas leads 3-0 with 7:55 left in the first quarter.
Dak Prescott held the football too long while looking downfield for both wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and wide receiver George Pickens. That led to Raiders Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby strip-sacking Prescott for the game's first turnover. Las Vegas takes over in the red zone at the Dallas 15.
It was shocking that the Cowboys didn't have CeeDee Lamb nor George Pickens on the field for their first third down of the game. The play resulted in a near-interception on a throw to Jalen Tolbert, and Dallas was called for holding. Early three-and-out.
As ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters noted moments later, Lamb and Pickens sat out the team's first series due to a coach's decision. Lamb took the field for the first time on the opening play of Dallas' second drive, while Pickens did so for the first time on the second play of the possession.
Sixth overall pick rookie running back Ashton Jeanty is the first player with at least four rushing touchdowns (4) and at least three receiving touchdowns (3) in their first nine career games since Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte back in 2008. Jeanty's seven touchdowns are tied for the second-most in a player's first nine career games in Raiders history trailing only Hall of Famer Marcus Allen's 14 in 1982.
Most TD in first nine career games
Raiders History
TD
1982 Marcus Allen 14
2025 Ashton Jeanty 7
2019 Josh Jacobs 7
1987-88 Bo Jackson 7
The Las Vegas Raiders won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. QB Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys offense will start the game with the football.
Las Vegas quarterback Geno Smith has struggled in his first season as the Raiders starting quarterback. His 12 turnovers, all interceptions, are tied for the second-most in the NFL in 2025 behind only Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's 14, 13 interceptions and 1 lost fumble. However, Smith did have a season-high four passing touchdowns in his last home start in Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Smith also threw for 334 yards and racked up 4 total touchdowns (3 passing touchdowns and 1 rushing touchdown) and an interception in his only career start against the Cowboys in 2023 with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Las Vegas Raiders are 0-3 in primetime across the last two seasons with fewer than 10 points in each game. That makes them the first team with fewer than 10 points in three straight primetime games since the 2006 Raiders, who did so in four games. Las Vegas is also on a four-game losing streak against teams coming off a bye week, which includes Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Raiders in primetime, Since 2024
Result
Week 10, 2025 at Broncos L, 10-7
Week 2, 2025 Chargers L, 20-9
Week 15, 2024 Falcons L, 15-9
>> First team with fewer than 10 points in three straight primetime games since 2006 Raiders (4 straight)
Las Vegas' 2-7 start is the worst nine-game start to a season in Pete Carroll's career as a head coach. Much of the issues are on the offensive side of the ball. They entered Week 11 averaging 15.4 points per game, the second-fewest in the league ahead of only the Tennessee Titans' 14.4 points per game. The Raiders also lead the NFL with the most games under 10 points this season with four.
Free-agent-to-be wide receiver George Pickens has four consecutive games with 75 or more receiving yards, the longest streak of his career. He and tight end Jake Ferguson were the only teammate duo entering Week 11 with at least six touchdowns each.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott threw 13 passing touchdowns and no interceptions from Weeks 4 to 7, but he tossed just one touchdowns and three interceptions across Weeks 8 and 9 -- consecutive losses against the Denver Broncos and the Arizona Cardinals. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer's explanation about what changed is the defense putting Dallas' offense in early holes, which forces them into predicating play calling when on the field.
The 2025 Cowboys are averaging the most points per game (29.2, the fourth-most in the NFL this season) by a team with a negative point differential (-14) through nine games in NFL history.
"I think when you look at it it's really the types of games we've had to play the last two games against Denver [and Arizona]. We got behind in both games and had to kind of play catch up. Unfortunately, there's not many guys that are going to play at a high level. That's not how we want to play," Schottenheimer said on Thursday.
"Certainly, we want to be a team that can run the football and use our [play] action passing game, make people guess. It feels for really most of the second half of Denver and then certainly the last quarter against Arizona, we were playing mostly two-minute. That's hard when they know you're going to pass, you have to pass and everyone in the stadium knows you're going to pass. It's difficult. So the biggest thing I would say is just we got to do a good job on first down in this game, and that's going to be a big part of it. Win first down, and I think that allows us on defense and offense as play callers, me and 'Flus, to be able to control what we want to do instead of the defense having control of the offense when you're ahead or behind."
Dak Prescott Last 6 Games
Weeks 4-7 Weeks 8-9
Team PPG 37.0 20.5
Comp Pct 71% 61%
Pass YPG 270.3 219.0
TD-INT 13-0 1-3
Passer Rating 128.1 66.3
Rookie RB Jaydon Blue remains in Brian Schottenheimer's doghouse.
After the New York Jets' Week 9 bye week and the Cowboys' Week 10 bye week, Quinnen Williams will be playing football for the first time in 22 days on Monday night. He last played for the Jets in New York's 39-38 road win at the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 26. Here's how Williams has maintained his conditioning during the two-week layoff and why he's "super excited" to debut as a Cowboys alongside fellow Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
How might Dallas rotate and play all three of their well-compensated defensive tackles following the addition of Quinnen Williams? Here's how.
Losing teammate and close friend in Marshawn Kneeland to suicide is life altering for many in and around the Dallas Cowboys. Both head coach Brian Schottenheimer and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb said they will "never be the same" after experiencing this tragedy. Unfortunately both quarterback Dak Prescott and defensive tackle Solomon Thomas have gone through losing a sibling to suicide, and they've both been resources for their teammates during this time.
