Game Breakdown: Raiders Outlast Cowboys, 36-33
ARLINGTON, Texas – As the Cowboys last matchup against the Raiders has become synonymous with the phrase ‘index card game’, the 2021 showdown between both franchises will be remembered for incessant flags.
The Cowboys fell to the Raiders 36-33 in overtime as the club’s downward spiral continues. Dallas has lost three of their previous four games to AFC West opponents. A defeat cannot solely be based on penalties; however, Shawn Hochuli’s officiating crew became the main headline for this Thanksgiving Day meeting. The officials threw a combined 28 flags for an astounding 276 yards, with both sides justifiably frustrated with many of the calls on Thursday. The Cowboys were penalized 14 times for 166 yards — the most in franchise history.
“Twenty-eight penalties, I really don’t know what the hell you want me to say,” Mike McCarthy said. “Write whatever you want, I’m all for it …the numbers are absurd, definitely understand that. But just like everything in this game there is trends and patterns, and we anticipated the game being officiated this way. But in the same breath it is the line that you straddle. I don’t want our guys slowing down and playing slower. We’ve tried that already and that didn’t help us overcoaching the penalties a few weeks back. We’re going to get up on the balls of our feet and keep fighting.”
Cornerback Anthony Brown was the main target. He was flagged four times for defensive pass interference, each on third down. The penalties amounted to 91 yards and resulted in 20 points for Las Vegas, including the game-winning field goal in overtime.
Despite the slow start and sea of yellow amidst the turf, the Cowboys rallied back in the fourth quarter but by that point, the damage had already been done. Dallas forced overtime with three scoring drives in the final quarter of regulation. Dak Prescott delivered two dimes to Michael Gallup, including a 41-yarder and a 32-yarder. The Raiders’ played man-to-man coverage on the outside like the Broncos and Chiefs previously had, but Gallup made them pay. Prescott’s connection with the deep threat for 32 yards set up Dalton Schultz’s touchdown from 32 yards out. Prescott hit Schultz in stride over the middle of the field, and he waltzed into the endzone to tie the game at 30 following the team’s successful two-point attempt.
In overtime, the Raiders’ defense forced a three-and-out (Cowboys’ fifth of the game), and Las Vegas kicked the game-winning field goal after Brown’s 33-yard pass interreference call.
The Cowboys’ slow start became too much to overcome. Miscommunication errors, drops, missed throws, an inability to establish the run or get things clicking in the passing game, and busted coverages in the secondary all contributed to the Raiders outlasting the Cowboys. Dallas failed to gain a first down on two of their initial three drives and Las Vegas took advantage, racking up a 17-6 lead in the second quarter.
A 51-yard gain to Cedrick Wilson set up a Cowboys’ score late in the second quarter. Tony Pollard brought the team to first and goal (touchdown reversed) with his ability to elude tacklers and fight for additional yardage. Ezekiel Elliott plowed in on a one-yard touchdown run just before the half to trim the deficit to 17-13 by halftime. In the third quarter after Marcus Mariota’s touchdown, Dallas answered. Pollard returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. He displayed tremendous vision and burst down the left sideline, but too many plays were left on the field.
“We’ve got to be better all the way around,” Prescott stated. “We’ve all got to buckle up and be accountable for what’s happened and get better in every aspect. When that happens, we’ll move forward. The run game will be better, the pass game will get better, we’ll be able to do the actions off of that and play complementary football.”
Defensively, the Cowboys gave up too many chunk plays, including completions of 56 yards, 54, 35, and 31. Both DeSean Jackson – a familiar nemesis — and Hunter Renfrow caused problems with their vertical speed. Throughout the ballgame, the Cowboys struggled to get to Derek Carr, be it over pursuit or not being able to get off blocks. That gave Carr time to survey the field and launch deep shots. Overall, the Cowboys’ missed opportunities sealed the team’s fate.
