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LAS VEGAS -- Dak Prescott passed for 268 yards and four touchdowns, and Dallas dominated the spiraling Las Vegas Raiders 33-16 on Monday night in the Cowboys' first game since the death of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland.
The 24-year-old Kneeland was found dead on Nov. 6 of an apparent suicide. Coach Brian Schottenheimer and Cowboys players wore shirts honoring Kneeland, and they bowed their heads during a moment of silence before the game.
The Cowboys (4-5-1) then played one of their best games of the season to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Dallas had lost three of four and has games coming up against Philadelphia, Kansas City and Detroit.
Las Vegas (2-8) continued its downward slide under first-year Coach Pete Carroll. The Raiders have lost four straight and 8 of 9 since a season-opening victory over the New England Patriots, who are tied atop the AFC standings with the Denver Broncos at 9-2.
Prescott was precise -- minus a miss of a wide-open CeeDee Lamb for an easy touchdown -- completing 25 of 44 passes to snap his four-game winless streak (0-3-1) in prime-time games. His four touchdown passes tied a season high, matching his total from a 37-22 victory Oct. 5 against the New York Jets.
He threw primarily to George Pickens and Lamb. Pickens made 9 catches for 144 yards and 1 touchdown while Lamb tallied 5 receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown despite Schottenheimer benching the duo for the Cowboys' first drive, which ended with a three-and-out.
Las Vegas led 6-3 after the first quarter -- Daniel Carlson made two field goals to Brandon Aubrey's one -- but Prescott tossed three of his touchdowns in the second to open a 24-6 lead. Tight end Jake Ferguson made a 5-yard touchdown grab in between Lamb's 18-yarder and Pickens' 37-yard score. Carlson made a 38-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter to cut the lead to 24-9.
Ryan Flournoy made a 2-yard touchdown grab to put the Cowboys ahead 31-9 in the third.
Javonte Williams provided the Cowboys with balance by rushing for 93 yards on 22 carries.
The Raiders had little balance, going with 32 called pass plays and three runs -- Geno Smith also scrambled for 7 yards -- in the first half alone. They became only the third team since at least 1991 with 30 or more dropbacks and four or few runs in a first half. The four rushes were also the Raiders' second fewest in a first half since at least that year; they had three runs against Atlanta in a 2008 game.
Las Vegas finished with 12 rushes, tied for the 12th fewest in franchise history. Smith led the Raiders with 14 yards on four carries, while rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, the No. 6 pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, gained 7 yards on six attempts. Dallas set the final margin by tackling Jeanty in the end zone on his final carry for a safety.
The air-it-out approach didn't work, with Smith finishing 27 of 42 for 238 yards with 1 touchdown in the fourth quarter and 1 interception.
The Cowboys' defense made sure Smith had few chances to execute the offense, sacking him four times, including 1.5 by recent trade acquisition Quinnen Williams. Dallas sent the Jets a 2027 first-round draft pick, a 2026 second-rounder and defensive tackle Mazi Smith for Williams.
Dallas Cowboys players Bryan Anger (5), Kenny Clark (95), Sam Williams (54), Marist Liufau (35) and Cowboys linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi pause during a moment of silence for teammate Marshawn Kneeland prior to an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Las Vegas, in memory of Kneeland who passed away earlier this month. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Dallas Cowboys players Bryan Anger (5), Kenny Clark (95), Sam Williams (54), Marist Liufau (35) and Cowboys linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi pause during a moment of silence for teammate Marshawn Kneeland prior to an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Las Vegas, in memory of Kneeland who passed away earlier this month. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens celebrates his touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens celebrates his touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
An injured Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu walks to the locker room during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
An injured Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu walks to the locker room during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Kenny Clark, second from right, sacks Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) as Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (6) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Kenny Clark, second from right, sacks Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) as Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (6) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)