Raiders outmuscled by Cowboys for fourth straight loss

LAS VEGAS—Things are continuing to unravel for the Las Vegas Raiders.

On Monday, the Raiders succumbed to another primetime defeat, falling to the Dallas Cowboys 33-16 at Allegiant Stadium.

Tonight’s defeat marks the fourth straight game the Raiders have lost, making it two four-game losing streaks the team has suffered this season. At 2-8, the Raiders are all but officially out of the running for the postseason, and eyes are being set squarely on the draft once again.

Here is how yet another defeat played out for the Raiders.

Dak attack

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott tends to wind up in the ‘so overrated, he’s underrated’ category, and he proved why he is still so effective.

The Raiders could do nothing against the aerial assault that Prescott unleashed on them. Four different receivers found the end zone, and George Pickens did much of the damage with 144 yards and a touchdown. It has been a bad habit of the Raiders defense in games this season to fall victim to a deluge of explosive plays, and Prescott delivered some to deal serious damage.

Offense off balance

Head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly are going to have serious questions to answer over the offensive gameplan.

While the game script was far from ideal, it felt like the Raiders abandoned the run quickly. Ashton Jeanty only had two carries by halftime and finished with six for seven yards in a disastrous day. The passing game is required to win at some points, but Geno Smith having to throw the football 42 times is not a recipe for success in any game.

Under pressure

The Raiders have struggled on the offensive line with Kolton Miller and Jackson Powers-Johnson still out, and the new-look Cowboys defense continued to give them fits.

Jeanty got 11 yards on one carry, but managed negative three yards the rest of the way because the offensive line could not open any holes. The Cowboys also took down Smith for four sacks, with new addition defensive tackle Quinnen Williams notching a team-high one and a half. The safety in the fourth quarter was emblematic of the Raiders’ struggles up front, and serious changes are almost certain to come in the offseason.