LAS VEGAS — Although the Las Vegas Raiders played starters into the third quarter Saturday night, the Dallas Cowboys sat almost all of their players who are expected to start Week 1 at Cleveland. Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, Zack Martin and several others weren’t even in uniform.
But it was difficult to know that by the play on the field. Dallas looked like the better team in their second preseason game en route to a 27-12 win at Allegiant Stadium.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy: “I’m very happy with the way we played (against the Raiders). Frankly, I think the No. 1 stat (immediately after the game) is we really didn’t have any injuries to report.
“This was a good night for us. … I think it was clear all the way across the… pic.twitter.com/72tuf9h7A2
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 18, 2024
Cowboys QB Trey Lance was the star of the night, playing with more confidence than he showed in Dallas’ preseason opener last weekend against the Los Angeles Rams.
Here are some other observations from Saturday night.
Better in Year 2? Could Brandon Aubrey be even better in his second NFL season? It’s tough to top what he did last year, earning first-team All-Pro honors, making an NFL-best 36 field goals, including all 10 from 50-plus yards. He was outstanding against the Raiders, making field goals from 66 and 54 yards. The 66-yarder, as the first half expired, would have tied an NFL record. The NFL tweeted a side-by-side shot of Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy’s reaction shortly after the score that put Dallas up 13-6 at halftime. The kick looked like it would’ve been good from more 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 pick. The plan was for Tyler Guyton to play more than he did in the first preseason game. Guyton ended up lining up at left tackle the entire first half. He didn’t get many opportunities to go against three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who spent most of his time on the left end, facing right tackle Matt Waletzko. Guyton continues to look the part. At this point, it would be a surprise if he wasn’t the starting left tackle Week 1. Dallas’ other offensive line starters were Asim Richards at left guard, rookie Cooper Beebe at center and T.J. Bass at right guard.
Other rookies. Third-round pick LB Marist Liufau was active early. He had a nice run stop on the defense’s second series. He also helped get pressure on Las Vegas starting QB Gardner Minshew. Second-round pick DE Marshawn Kneeland also got pressure on the play, helping to force a Raiders field goal attempt. Kneeland later had a good run stop. Minshew had a rough night, completing only 10 of 21 passes for 95 yards and a 60.6 passer rating.
“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.”
Deuce Vaughn. The second-year running back looked like the player we saw last year in the preseason, making some impressive moves to create space. Vaughn’s second carry of the game was his best, freezing a defender with a juke move that led to a 12-yard gain. Vaughn’s first three runs went for 25 yards. He finished with five carries for 34 yards. A good showing for him, especially considering that he recently returned to practice after missing a couple of weeks with 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 🕺
📺: #DALvsLV on CBS 11
📲: Stream on NFL+ ➡️ https://t.co/LvklCbZgQM pic.twitter.com/XOEFJhEEtw— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 18, 2024
Another interception. Cowboys CB Kemon Hall picked-off Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell early in the fourth quarter and returned it 69 yards for a touchdown. It was Dallas’ fifth interception in two preseason games. The Cowboys averaged one per game last season. They had a league-high 26 in 2021. They should continue to be among the league leaders in that area with Trevon Diggs on one side of the field and DaRon Bland on the other. None of Dallas’ Week 1 defensive back starters played Saturday night.
Atmosphere. That was about as loud as a stadium can get for a preseason game. It was evident even before the stadium filled in as the Cowboys took the field before kickoff. It reached a peak on Aubrey’s field goal right before halftime and then again on Hall’s interception. On multiple occasions, Dallas fans could be clearly heard chanting “Let’s go Cowboys!”
Mazi Smith update. The second-year defensive tackle did not make the trip to Las Vegas as he recovered from an allergic reaction he experienced Friday in Oxnard, Calif. 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.”
More D-line additions? Jones made it sound before the game that the Cowboys aren’t done trying to improve 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 seeing right now is important. It’s important to see these guys take reps. But tonight won’t be the final pieces to the puzzle.”
Stock up: Ryan Flournoy got off to a slow start to training camp because of a knee injury. The rookie sixth-round pick has been steadily progressing and made a notable impact against the Raiders. He caught four Lance passes for 23 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown reception on a fade route late in 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)
