Las Vegas Raiders back up quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) got into the end zone on a carry in the second half of the game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington against the Dallas Cowboys on Thu Nov 25, 2021 (AP News photo)
By Rich Perez
Las Vegas Raiders beat reporter
It took about a month for the Las Vegas Raiders to get the taste of losing out of their mouths with an overtime win over the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington 36-33 on Thursday night.
You’d have to go back to Sun Oct 24th when the Raiders defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 33-22 when they last won a game. After that game they had a bye week lost two key players to unforeseen circumstances in Henry Ruggs and Damon Arnette during that week that could have knocked any team off the rails and make them miss an opportunity at post season.
The Raiders would lose three straight games to New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals. After that Bengals loss critics really wonder when the Raiders would win another game. The wait wouldn’t be long. The victory against the Cowboys on Thursday night really gave the Silver and Black some light in their playoff hope tunnel as it were and at least looking to start playing close to get within striking distance of their opponents.
The Raiders held the lead for most of the game and to come away with a win like this against the Cowboys on a Thanksgiving Day you’d have to go all the way back to 1968 proceeding that year the Raiders lost the next two Thanksgiving dates with Dallas but got back in the win column in overtime Thursday after Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson booted a 29 yard overtime field goal to get the Raiders over the hump for the three point win.
For the Cowboys the loss marks their third loss in games when they went overtime and this is the sixth overtime game in Thanksgiving Day history. One of the key reasons why the Raiders won this game is the defense played such a key role in the first three quarters of the game the Raiders held the Cowboys to a single digit in scoring for each quarter. Each time the Cowboys would get close to the red zone the Raiders would close the gap on them and force a turnover.
The other cause for the loss was the four pass interference calls that Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown got while defending the Raiders. On the fourth interference call on Brown came in overtime that put the ball in great field position for Carlson to be able to kick the 29 yard winner and take the Raiders home.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr also had a great afternoon under center throwing 24-39 for 373 yards passing getting one touchdown. Carr didn’t allow a turnover and held onto the rock when he got sacked two times. Carr avoided moving the chains and relied on his receivers including Desean Jackson whose made a difference. Jackson three catches for 102 yards and one touchdown.
The Cowboys falling against AFC West opponents like they did last Sunday to the Kansas City Chiefs 19-9. The Raiders jumped right in with a big lead in the beginning, keeping that lead all the way until almost the end of the game.
Carr had a tremendous leadership role in leading the team really the whole game in big third down conversions all game long. Jackson had a great game at receiver and seems to be fitting in really well with the Raiders in that one two tandem of wide receiver with Zay Jones. It seems to be working out at the wide receiver angle along with wide receiver Bryan Edwards who helped out with one reception and 12 yards.
The Raiders now will have ten days off and play the Washington Football Team (4-6) coming in to Allegiant Stadium in a real big game on Sun Dec 5th. For the Raiders who have their eye on trying to get a shot at post season. Washington had a four game losing streak going before winning two in a row against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3) and Carolina Panthers (5-6). The Panthers being Washington’s most recent win.
Rich is a Raiders beat writer and join Rich Fridays for the Raiders podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.
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