'MNF' takeaways: Cowboys' acquisition pays immediate dividends in rout over Raiders

The Dallas Cowboys (4-5-1) capped Week 11 with an emphatic 33-16 road win over the Las Vegas Raiders (2-8).

Here are our initial takeaways from a "Monday Night Football" blowout.

Key takeaway: Las Vegas Raiders need an offseason overhaul

The Raiders are in store for another overhaul. Las Vegas made some big moves last offseason, and none (other than extending edge-rusher Maxx Crosby) have worked out. Super Bowl-winning coach Pete Carroll, hired to replace Antonio Pierce, hasn't made the team any better. If anything, the Raiders may somehow be worse.

The offense is a mess, starting up front along the offensive line. Per ESPN Insights, the Cowboys pressured quarterback Geno Smith, who has had a disastrous season taking over for the unimpressive duo of Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew, on nine of his first 17 dropbacks. Smith finished the game being sacked four times, losing 29 yards. Running back Ashton Jeanty, the No. 6 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, wasn't able to get anything going, finishing the loss with seven yards on six carries and also taking a safety.

Is Carroll, 74, the right coach to lead what looks like a multiyear rebuild? Probably not. A one-and-done campaign would be a disappointing way for his NFL career to end, but it might be the most logical choice. 

Game MVP: Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams

One game against the lowly Raiders doesn't justify the Cowboys sending a 2026 second-round pick and 2027 first to the New York Jets for Williams, but it's a start, and a solid one at that.

Williams' Cowboys debut couldn't have gone much better. He made an instant impact, collapsing the pocket with a pass-rush early in the second quarter en route to his first sack for his new team.