In the annual preseason week three “dress rehearsal game,” the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Oakland Raiders, 24-20. With the win, the Cowboys improved to 3-1 on the preseason while the Raiders dropped to 0-3.
Playing most of the first half, the Dallas Cowboys first team offense looked rather sharp. Quarterback Dak Prescott continued to prove just how good he is, completing 11 of his 14 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown.
Tight end Jason Witten caught that touchdown pass from Prescott, and looked slimmer and more athletic than we have seen him in about three years. Running back Ezekiel Elliott saw an eventful one series, rushing for 18 yards on 6 carries and catching 2 passes out of the backfield.
Defensively the Cowboys starters were a bit more up and down. Cornerback Orlando Scandrick had yet another solid performance, and defensive tackle Stephen Paea looked like the team's best defensive lineman.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr did throw for two touchdowns and 144 yards on that first team defense, but some key contributors in the back end were missing from the lineup.
In the second half, quarterback Cooper Rush once again stole the show on offense. Rush threw just one incompletion and two touchdowns, including a play action deep ball to Lance Lenoir in the fourth quarter.
This preseason, Cooper Rush is completing 75% of his passes for 398 yards & 6 TD with 0 INT. One turnover in 4 appearances.
Kellen Moore was listed as QB3 on the depth chart for this game, and after another solid performance from Rush, we are right to question Moore's security on the final roster. Moore did see mop-up duty late in the game, however.
Both Taco Charlton and Damontre Moore came away with sacks tonight, winning on the edge and bringing pressure throughout the second half. All of a sudden, that Moore suspension to begin 2017 looks like it will hurt a lot more than we had initially thought.
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Next Thursday night the Cowboys close out the 2017 preseason against the Houston Texans. I wouldn't expect to see the “starters” at all on Thursday, but the final nail in the quarterback two coffin will likely be nailed.
That is, if Cooper Rush didn't already close the debate tonight.
