Raiders @ Cowboys
Final Score: Dallas 31, Las Vegas 16
Writer: Michael James (@MikeoftheFF on Twitter)
Right away we’re told this will be Will Grier‘s last game as a Dallas Cowboy as the team traded for Trey Lance just recently. To make it up to him, he’s told he will be the team’s only quarterback to play tonight so he has the best opportunity to put something good on tape for future teams, and he made the most of the opportunity. Dak Prescott was the offensive play-caller for the team tonight and I have to say, he might have a future ahead of him if this whole “starting quarterback in the NFL” business doesn’t pan out. Both teams had their kicker make an impressive kick with Brandon Aubrey hitting a 59-yard field goal, but he was outdone on the night by Daniel Carlson‘s 62-yard field goal at the half.
Stand Outs of the Game
- Will Grier – Played with a purpose and will most definitely see him signed this season to another team.
- Hunter Luepke – Nicknamed the “Mystical Beast” by teammates showed off his skill set tonight with 118 total yards and a touchdown.
- Kristian Wilkerson – Balled out for the Raiders and was the best receiver statistically in the game tonight.
- Damien Williams – Averaged 9 yards per carry and broke one free for a touchdown
Las Vegas Raiders
| Preseason Week 1 | Preseason Week 2 |
Quarterback
Aidan O’Connell: 17/26, 178 yards
The 4th round draft pick out of Purdue had the highest QBR of the preseason heading into tonight, was a bit shaky at the start but held it down throughout the game and did serviceable.
Notes
- Handled the blitz pressure and kept cool in the pocket
- Converted 4th down, a short pass over the middle clean
- Settled down towards the end of the first half to throw more on target from the pocket
- Stayed in the pocket looking at the oncoming rush to throw a 24-yard pass to a covered receiver on the sidelines
Missed Opportunities
- Overthrowing receivers despite time in the pocket
Chase Garbers: 5/6 46 yards
Notes
- Looked sharp completing the quick release first read throws
Missed Opportunities
- Off the mark on an end zone fade
Running Back
Damien Williams: 6 carries, 54 yards, TD
Led the team in carries and yards, and showed both his speed and physicality.
Notes
- Burst through the hole with speed and sprinted in for a 24-yard touchdown
- Great post contact yard gain
Sincere McCormick: 5 carries, 27 yards
Darwin Thompson: 4 carries, 13 yards | 1 target. 1 reception
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Kristian Wilkerson: 13 targets, 10 receptions, 122 yards
The former Patriot shined bright tonight as O’Connell’s go-to receiver for the game. I won’t be shocked at all to see him jump the depth chart and see some game action this season.
Notes
- Impressed me multiple times tonight with the ability to create separation at the last second to bring the ball in when fighting stride for stride on the route
- Big 30-yard haul in the final quarter, was not open either.
Missed Opportunities
- Had an early down conversion pass over the middle go through his fingers
Jesper Horsted: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 28 yards
Dallas Cowboys
| Preseason Week 1 | Preseason Week 2 |
Quarterback
Will Grier: 29/35 305 yards 2 TD | 10 carries 53 yards 2 TD, fumble (recovered)
This guy will definitely find another home, with solid performance in all aspects of his game. He sustained drives with his pocket presence and moved the chains with his feet as well as through the air. Las Vegas had trouble all night keeping him contained. One thing that stuck out to me was his command of the play action. He inflicted a lot of damage to the Raiders on plays where he would fake the handoff and set or bootleg out. He completed a 30-yard bomb in addition to a touchdown using this. He showed himself to be a dual-threat QB tonight who led the team in yards per rush.
Notes
- QB scramble on 1st and 15 for 12 yards, followed up by 2-yard bootleg rushing TD
- High accuracy on covered targets over the middle
- Able to complete a pass downfield on a naked bootleg on his non-throwing side without setting
- Used mobility to pick up chunk yards and convert the first downs after the pocket would collapse
- Great sense to avoid a sack from behind, taking off to scramble to convert a 3rd and 15 with his feet
- Sold delayed QB sneak up the middle for 7 7-yard TD rush
Missed Opportunities
- Overthrew Johnson early in the game when he broke free to the end zone.
- Early throws behind the target when pressure in his face
- Fumbled (recovered) a shotgun snap resulting in a 14-yard loss
Running Back
Hunter “Majestic Beast” Luepke: 15 carries 58 yards | 5 targets, 5 receptions 60 yards TD
This back is built to rumble downfield rather than evade/cut back. His yards after contact were good for multiple first-down conversions tonight. Surprised me with his versatility in the passing game with multiple catches and runs including one for a touchdown.
Notes
- Converts first down with a great diving catch rolling out of bounds
- Big catch and run down the sidelines for 29 yards, followed up by another catch and dive for the touchdown
Malik Davis: 10 carries 42 yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions 15 yards
The third back from last season on the Cowboys also stated his case to be considered for the backup to Pollard this season. 4.2 yards per carry tonight, and showed both speed and strength.
Notes
- Displaying improved pass-catching skills from last season
- After using his speed on a catch to pick up 10 yards, followed it up by powering up the middle to convert 4th and 1
- Converted another 4th and 1 with a power rush up the middle
Missed Opportunities
- Big run through an open hole erased by a penalty
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Tyron Johnson: 5 receptions 90 yards on 6 targets
The 4th-year product of Oklahoma State showed off his route running tonight with clean releases, breaking open multiple times.
Notes
- Showed the ability to separate at the last second of a contested route to bring in a 30-yard pass
- Solid route running
Missed Opportunities
- Broke free to the end zone uncovered but was overthrown by Grier
- Hesitated too long after the catch looking for more yards resulting in minimal yards after the catch
Simi Fehoko: 3 receptions 30 yards on 4 targets
Notes
- Also caught praise from the broadcast crew for good route running
Dontario Drummond: 3 receptions 33 yards on 3 targets
Luke Schoonmaker: 2 receptions 14 yards, TD on 2 targets
Notes
- The rookie second-round pick from Michigan stretched far to bring in a goal-line reception to fall in for the touchdown