When the NFL schedule makers revealed the Week 11 Monday Night Football matchup in mid-May, it’s safe to say they were expecting both the host Las Vegas Raiders and visiting Dallas Cowboys to be in a much better predicament than they are at present.
The Raiders (2-7) have gotten off to a nightmarish start in their first season under the esteemed Pete Carroll, highlighted by a four-game losing streak from Week 2 through Week 5 and another three-game drought beginning in Week 7 through last Thursday’s loss to the Denver Broncos, a heartbreaking 10-7 setback which Las Vegas seemingly refused to win.
Even with all the hope that placated the Raiders fanbase this offseason, the Carroll regime is in the same place Antonio Pierce was through nine games if you look solely at the record. When you dive deeper into the results, however, the Raiders have been far more competitive this season and are truly just a few bad breaks away from additional wins.
“It’s been crappy, and this is not what I expected to happen,” Carroll said. “I didn’t feel like we would be this far behind at the start of the season … It’s a kick, it’s a blocked kick, it’s an OT catch. There are four to five games here that could have flipped just like that, just with small margins of better play, better execution, better calls, and all of that.”
The Cowboys’ (3-5-1) season has been a bit more of a rollercoaster ride.
Quarterback Dak Prescott’s offense is averaging 40.3 points per game in their three wins thus far, in addition to battling to a 40-40 tie in a Week 4 duel against Green Bay. In the Cowboys’ five losses, the offense has only crossed the 24-point plateau once.
Monday will also mark the Cowboys’ first game since tragedy struck the organization during the team’s bye week.
Defensive end Marshawn Kneeland died via a self-inflicted gunshot wound per authorities after a police chase near the team’s facility in Frisco, Texas. Kneeland’s death came just days after he recovered a fumble for a touchdown in Dallas’ 27-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 13.
While members of the Cowboys’ organization undoubtedly had their lives changed by the sudden loss of their teammate last week, coach Brian Schottenheimer believes Monday night will bring a welcome sense of normalcy.
“I don’t think there’ll be much that’s different,” Schottenheimer said. “I think these guys are going to be excited to be out there with their brothers and doing what they love to do.
“It’s not just a distraction for me, it’s a distraction for them. A lot of them have lived through a lot of tragedy in their life. Their escape is to come and be in the locker room with their brothers, put their helmets on, go out to the practice field. We might be feeling a lot of emotions, I’m sure we will. My hope and what I believe is that it won’t feel that different.”
On the injury front, Cowboys defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (calf) missed practice Thursday, while starting safeties Donovan Wilson (elbow, shoulder) and Malik Hooker (toe) were limited, along with four others.
For the Raiders, wide receiver Tyler Lockett (knee) was limited and linebacker Cody Lindenberg (Achilles) didn’t practice.
–Field Level Media
