Aug 11, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance (19) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
- The Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders are still n search of their first preseason victory entering Saturday’s Week 2 matchup. Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. ET Saturday night on NFL Network.
- The Bears (2-0) are considered favorites to keep their perfect preseason record alive against the 0-1 Bengals, who fell to the Buccaneers in preseason Week 1.
- Keep scrolling for a further look at the latest odds, best picks and a prediction for Saturday’s preseason tilt.
The Cowboys and Raiders each lost their NFL Preseason openers by just 1 point, with the Cowboys losing to Los Angeles 13-12 and Las Vegas dropping to Minnesota, 24-23.
Even in losses, there was plenty to be optimistic about for both squads. Trey Lance had a solid outing for the Cowboys at quarterback and Aidan O’Connell appeared to separate himself in the battle for QB1. O’Connell and NFL journeyman Gardner Minshew will continue their audition for the QB1 role across the next 2 weeks.
Raiders starters are expected to play according to HC Antonio Pierce. The Cowboys have not revealed whether or not starters will see time on Saturday.
We’ll learn some more about these rosters and their potential outlook for the 2024 season after Saturday. Keep scrolling for a look at the latest odds, players to watch and a prediction for Week 2’s preseason tilt.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Las Vegas Raiders Prediction
- Raiders -6.5 (-115)
The Cowboys did a lot right on defense last week against the Rams, but that may be a product of Stetson Bennett’s right arm more than anything. Regardless, 4 interceptions is a good day in the office for the Dallas secondary.
O’Connell will provide more of a challenge than Bennett, and I think the Raiders will be able to find the end zone before the final seconds of the game like Los Angeles did last week. Dallas, on the other hand, gives me no such optimism.
Trey Lance threw 41 passes last week and totaled 188 yards. His QB rating hovered just above 70 and he failed to lead the Cowboys to the end zone even once, instead settling for 4 field goals. That’s not gonna win at any level in the NFL, folks.
Raiders 24, Cowboys 10
Cowboys vs. Raiders Odds (Caesars)
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | +6.5 (-105) | +250 | O 39.5 (-105) |
| Las Vegas Raiders | -6.5 (-115) | -320 | U 39.5 (-115) |
Odds above via Caesars Sportsbook. Check out our Caesars Promo Code and more great NFL betting sites for a look at one of the best welcome offers in the business.
As you can see above, the Raiders are touchdown home favorites to pick up their first win of the preseason Saturday night. Raiders -6.5 also has slightly lower odds at -115. The money is all on Las Vegas. The Raiders moneyline currently sits at -320 while the Dallas moneyline comes in at +250.
The Over/Under for this matchup according to Caesars is 39.5, with the under slightly favorited at -115. This is tied with Giants/Texans for the highest over/under total among Saturday’s 13-game slate, so don’t expect too much defense in this one.
Cowboys vs. Raiders Names to Watch
- Trey Lance, Cowboys QB
- Mazi Smith, Cowboys DT
- Aidan O’Connell, Raiders QB
Lance and Cooper Rush are in a “battle” for the QB2 spot in Dallas, though it seems like Rush has already locked it up. Lance played the majority of Dallas’ QB minutes last week and really didn’t do much with the time granted to him. At the very least, he didn’t turn the ball over. Let’s see if he can make the decision a little tougher for Cowboys coaches on Saturday.
Smith, the Cowboys’ 2nd-year first-round DT out of Michigan, has seen his share of ups and downs with the Cowboys. He got manhandled at times against Los Angeles, and the Cowboys recently brought in former Bills Nose Jordan Phillips, so there’s some question in his efficacy in their starting role moving forward. He’s got a few more chances to prove he’s the guy, though.
As stated briefly earlier, Aidan O’Connell is thought to be winning the QB battle in Las Vegas. The former Purdue QB looked good in his minutes last year and he finished 7-9 for 76 yards last week against Minnesota. Let’s see what he can do against a defense that picked the ball of 4 times last week.
Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Down South and contributor with SBD!
The second week of the NFL preseason is upon us, and one of the most anticipated matchups is between the Dallas Cowboys and the Las Vegas Raiders. Both teams are looking to fine-tune their rosters and get a better sense of where they stand heading into the regular season.
The Cowboys are coming off a disappointing 2020 season, finishing with a 6-10 record and missing the playoffs. However, they have made some key additions in the offseason, including drafting linebacker Micah Parsons in the first round and signing veteran quarterback Dak Prescott to a long-term contract extension. Prescott, who missed most of last season due to injury, will be looking to prove he is back to full health and ready to lead the Cowboys to success.
On the other side, the Raiders are also looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2020 season, finishing with an 8-8 record and missing the playoffs. Head coach Jon Gruden and quarterback Derek Carr will be looking to build on the progress they made last season and take the team to the next level.
As for the matchup itself, both teams will be looking to evaluate their depth and give their younger players a chance to shine. While the outcome of preseason games may not matter in the grand scheme of things, they can provide valuable insight into which players are ready to contribute when the regular season kicks off.
In terms of picks and odds for this matchup, it’s always difficult to predict the outcome of preseason games as teams often prioritize evaluating players over winning. However, based on their offseason moves and overall talent level, the Cowboys may have a slight edge in this matchup.
As for players to watch, keep an eye on Micah Parsons for the Cowboys. The rookie linebacker has been turning heads in training camp and could make a big impact on defense. For the Raiders, watch out for running back Josh Jacobs, who is looking to build on his impressive 2020 season and establish himself as one of the top backs in the league.
Overall, this preseason matchup between the Cowboys and Raiders promises to be an exciting one, with both teams looking to make a statement as they prepare for the regular season. Keep an eye on key players and enjoy watching some football as we inch closer to the start of the NFL season.