Dallas Cowboys vs Oakland Raiders Thanksgiving Preview

By all football standards, the Dallas Cowboys should win this game today against the Oakland Raiders, but this is why they play the games.

After scoring just one touchdown in almost two games, the Cowboys sputtering offense and the coach behind it, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, had just four days to prepare for this match up.

Should we expect the same erratic play calling as we watch a defense that is surely becoming one of the better ones in the league?

The Raiders have beaten the Cowboys the last three contests, with the last one in 2005. The Raiders with Randy Moss won 19-13.

Well, the Raiders don’t have a Randy Moss anymore. They played a Cowboys team of Drew Bledsoe, Jason Witten, Julius Jones and Terry Glenn.

Please!

The Cowboys offense should get a boost today with only four days rest. I would expect Garrett to open up the play book and test all aspects of his offense. Try and make Martellus Bennett a weapon again. Run on first and second downs more than you pass.

Injuries: Jason Witten is probable with a bad foot. Tony Romo will play despite a bad back.

The Cowboys have won the last four Thanksgiving games. Although the Raiders are coming off their biggest win of the season over the Bengals, it is hard to fathom Bruce Gradkowski leading the Raiders to a win.

Greg Ellis is playing his former team for the first time. He leaders the Raiders with five sacks, but he still battles injuries as he did in Dallas. He will be pumped up to play.

Doug Free is replacing tackle Marc Colombo. Watch his performance because he will likely hold the spot for the rest of the season.

The Raiders are awful at converting third downs and they score just 11 points a game. Although the rushing game has had spurts of success, the passing game is not a sight worth seeing, averaging 125 yards a game in the air. As a comparison, the Cowboys double that with 250 yards passing a game.

A win and the Cowboys retain first place in the NFC East, with the Giants playing later tonight against the falling Denver Broncos.

I expect the Cowboys will man-handle these Raiders tonight and win by at least two touchdowns.

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Really who gives a crap it don't matter who is right and wrong. All that matter is we are winning and I am happy. Spencer has really improved though we can't argue about that. This will open up D-Ware soon and I really feel sorry for teams when that happens. I really wish Roy would break out soon its annoying me a lot. Austin is probaly really the reason this team is where it is today. I know the defense is a real big part of it, but can you imagine where our team would be with out him this year. On top of it all he is starting to get the fans into the game more which will help out also.

KD,
Like I said go read the blog then..The whole pretense to it was I hope Butler can play well so we can trade Spencer...And it had nothing to do with I told you so at all..I was just trying to say lets stop being a bunch of homers and writing crap without knowing what your talking about..But thats the last time I will try to deter that...Oh and its cuz of idiots like you that I cant let my kid come on here anymore because of your intelligent sexual comments...Ironic that you called me childish...

I'd be surprised if anyone did say to take out Spencer entirely. I just wanted to see him in more pass rushing situations... Still do, I like the kid.

What's really comical though, David, is the "I told you so"

Childish.

(Unless of course this is between Eagles and Cowboys fans and it's the Cowboys fans doing the I told you sos)

i seem to remember that people were calling for butler to een start ahead of spencer because i wrote a comment that you can't just take guys in and out of the lineup, that you need patience to watch them develop into the position. spencer was a de, now playing lb. same with ware, butler, williams, etc... it takes some time to gel to the nfl, a new scheme, and a new position for these young guys. but spence seems well on the road to maturity if you ask me. so i will say i told you so, because i did. but hell, lets not fight among our selves for great things this team seems on the threshold of acomplishing. this december is the concrete foundation of not only the remainder of this year and the playoffs, but the destiation of the dallas cowboys for years to come. like the teams we had in the early 90's we are starting to find the peak.

Oh by the way is there a certain web address to type in on the iphone so I can comment on my phone. I just go to thelandryhat.com and can read and look at all the comments just can never write a comment. I would appreciate it if someone would let me know.

I don't remember much bashing on him. I do recall an article writting about him after the Broncos game kinda pissed about him. As far a Roy I know he scored a TD but he looked terrible everytime I payed extra attention to him. For instance one play the guy was going to press him at the line but kind of was more on his right shoulder it looked like he could easily cut right to get off the pressure. Instead its like he just runs right into the guy and gets locked up with him right away did not even come close to running his route which looked like it was suppose to be a slant maybe. I fear Romo is going to have a pick sooner or later trying to force balls to him. Even when they come to him it does not look like he really plays for them before the defender gets to him. I think the only way we are going to get anything out of Roy is to bench him for awhile to get his head straight. Then turn around and give Olgtree a chance because we need some one to help out now. I doubt the Giants are going to single coverage Austin this time and Roy has had single coverage most of the year and still can't get open. Austin always has a good gap between him and the other receiver. He also comes to the ball and makes sure no one can get it but him.

KD,
Go back and read the blogs again....Everyone did not have the its only a matter of time thinking...But its cool you can see it for what you want...Thats part of the comical part as well....

Oh I wasn't necessarily saying get Choice the ball, I was more making a point. I think the run balance was pretty good. I totally agree about Free he was awesome. Reminds me of the preseason game we played against the Colts (granted it was preseason) but Free just shut down Dwight Freeney, I knew he was a stud in the making, glad to see they grew him well.

Our defense is winning us games, I said it before preseason: Our Defense was going to be the difference, not the offense.

I quickly recanted that statement when I saw how bad they were at the beginning of the year... However, let it be known I'm now recanting that recantation.

And David, what was comical about some people saying that Victor Butler should get more snaps? You blew it into more than it was and now you're trying to come and say "I told you so" when everyone here knew IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. He's progressed more than anyone else, I think, on defense. Mostly in coverage, he looked great today.

I think you gotta run whoever has the hot hand. Today, it was Felix and Tashard. Run all of 'em. They're all good enough to carry the load.

Romo looked bad at the beginning but got better at the end. A little stiff perhaps, but this long week should straighten that out. Doug Free is filling in really well at the right tackle spot. Good luck to Columbo getting that spot back next year. Jenkins is playing his brains out, Brooking is gettin' it done and Ratliff is getting better, which I didn't even know is possible. I think we're looking pretty good for the playoffs if we win 2 more games, and I think that's very doable.

KD,
Yes thats it you got it..No wait im just one person who dosent talk out of his ass like some do in here..Talk without knowing what the hell they are talking about like the whole Spencer commentary...It was comical..

David, are you really some kind of woman who's getting porked by Spencer? The guy hasn't had a bad game since Denver, no one here hates him.

If I think Tashard Choice deserves more playing time do I suddenly hate Felix and Marion??

Shit the guy was lacking in sacks that was it, everyone agreed he only didn't have sacks and that those are overrated stats anyways (even DWare says they are)

I personally got up and high fived everyone when Spencer got his sack, that's huge for him just because he's done sooo well everywhere else.

So take the stick out of your ass, even if it's just a placeholder for Spencer's, and relish in a well played game.

Now for everyone not getting raped by Spencer: Roy played "OK" So why do I still feel like crap about him? I'm forever gunshy about that guy I guess... At least when he puts up the Horns' sign people love him for a moment....

The Boys played pretty well against an inferior opponent.  Now comes the meat of the schedule.  I hope they play better and with more intensity for the next five or six games.  Do I have permission to still be annoyed by the play calling in the Packer game?  With a first and one they go with a pass!!  To me that was the turning point of the game.  Why not run it down their throats three or four times??

And several qb hits and pressures..

For all you Spencer haters the lad has two sacks and a good game..

I dont mind passing to get romo in a groove..But Felix is clearly the better back of the 3 when he is healthy..No one on our team hits the hole faster than Felix..If you saw Barber run today the holes closed just as he was getting to them...He is best to run when the defense is worn down and they can close as fast on him and then he just batters them..

I see why you had to question me. Sad. We're still 25/16 pass to run. I'd almost like to see that flipped but Garrett has to get 25 yard a play so running isn't in his plans. Somedays we get a ton of plays over 25 and it's great but that comes with turnovers and frustration against better teams.

Oh thank god howley....sorry bro...but there are some people in there that would say that and say run barber more haha...

I thought I put enough sarcasm in there to translate but I guess not.

Barely working? You calling 3 carries for 59 yards and a td barely working...

You kidding me....You have no clue what your talking about...

That's barely working unless you like sitting on the edge of your seat expecting a home run as soon as he touches the ball. Not everyone is in to that kind of thing.

Can we please get Felix more than 3 freaking carries....

On the plus side, I'm loving Smash, Dash and Tash racking up these yards.

I know that was from 49 and the miss was by no means a killer. But I didn't think for a second he was going to make that. I don't like that feeling from any distance.