FRISCO, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys will strive to reverse the trend on Thanksgiving Day after losing two of the previous three games against AFC West opponents. With a quick turnaround in Week 12, Dallas will face the Las Vegas Raiders in Arlington. Coming off a 19-9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday and an abysmal offensive output, here are several storylines heading into the holiday matchup at AT&T Stadium.
- Dallas will get back much-needed reinforcement on the offensive line come Thursday. Left tackle Tyron Smith was a full participant in Tuesday’s light practice and will be good to go for Thursday’s game, a source tells D210SPORTS. The blindside tackle has missed three games due to an ankle injury. He was expected to return prior to the meeting against Kansas City but due to the short week, Smith spectated as a precautionary measure. Against the Chiefs, Connor McGovern made his starting debut at left guard over Connor Williams. The line failed to establish the line of scrimmage, allowing five sacks and eight hits on Dak Prescott. Smith’s return will help solidify the unit in Week 12.
- Additionally, running back Ezekiel Elliott was a full participant on Tuesday. Elliott has played through a lingering knee contusion that escalated against the Chiefs after taking a hit and getting his leg twisted. He will play come Thursday but the key for Elliott is managing the pain situationally. Elliott described, “it’s football. You get hurt. You aren’t going to be 100 percent.” Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb did not practice Tuesday but is “making progress” in concussion protocol according to Mike McCarthy. Lamb exited the game and did not play in the second half against Kansas City after his head hit the grass. He has attended meetings at the Star and how he is able to come out of Wednesday’s practice will determine his status for Thursday. There is optimism surrounding his return, as executive vice president Stephen Jones said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas that Lamb is doing “really well.”
- Establishing the ground game will be critical for the Cowboys in complementing the team’s aerial attack. Dallas’ offense is predicated on the success of the run game – which opens play-action and favorable one-on-one perimeter matchups. In discussing the offensive woes vs. Kansas City, owner and general manager Jerry Jones told 105.3, “We went into that game thinking we could run, should run that ball 60% of the time, maybe 2/3 of the time and they did a very good job of getting us out of that. When they did that, it emboldened their defense.” With Smith back in the lineup and an embattled run defense coming into town, this is the week to get back to form. Last week against the Bengals, Las Vegas had no answers for Joe Mixon, who compiled 30 carries for 130 yards and two touchdowns. He gashed the Raiders’ defense along the perimeter, as the unit failed to set the edge. That marked the fifth time Las Vegas has given up at least 140 rushing yards to an opponent. For Dallas, utilizing Tony Pollard’s shiftiness in space and cutback ability will stretch Gus Bradley’s squad, along with Elliott’s power between tackles. Dialing up counter pulls, and wide zone runs will help the Cowboys’ offense return to its pedestal. Without the team’s No. 1 wide receiver Amari Cooper (Reserve/COVID-19) and Lamb’s potential activation from concussion protocol, achieving a balanced approach will help the offense get back to a fast start.
- Raiders’ defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and Cowboys’ defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will reunite. Quinn served as the assistant head coach and defensive line coach under Bradley (defensive coordinator) with the Seahawks from 2009-2010. The pair led the defense to prominence and ‘Legion of Boom’ status in Seattle. The duo will face off in Thursday’s meeting. A penetrating, one-gap front sets the tone for both defensive units.
- The Cowboys have faced several premier tight ends in recent weeks including Kyle Pitts and Travis Kelce. This week, Dan Quinn’s group faces another in Darren Waller. Waller is Derek Carr’s go-to target over the middle of the field and the focal point of the Raiders’ passing attack. He is light on his feet and creates a size mismatch on the field. Waller has the run-and-catch capability of a wide receiver, and the Cowboys will have to account for him on every play, whether Trevon Diggs or Jayron Kearse are paired with him. Waller can line up in the slot or out wide outside of the tackle box with his athletic ability. Keeping him in check will be Dallas’ top priority.
