Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Dak Prescott threw four touchdown passes as the Dallas Cowboys honored late teammate Marshawn Kneeland with a thrashing of the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Cowboys, who played their first game since Kneeland's Nov. 6 death, apparently by suicide, shouldered their grief while providing one of their best performances of the season -- a 33-16 triumph Monday in Las Vegas.
"It's been obviously a tough, hard 12 days," Prescott told reporters. "Through the bye week, those first few days not being with the guys was harder than anything. But the last six, seven being together, [we were] working together, having conversations, healing, shining light on who Marshawn was.
"Then obviously coming out here and playing with the style he played with, the intensity, the effort to finish, super proud of the guys."
Prescott completed 25 of 33 passes for 268 yards and four scores. Wide receiver George Pickens hauled in nine of those throws for 144 yards and a score.
Cowboys running back Javonte Williams rolled for 93 yards on 22 carries. The Cowboys edged the Raiders 381-236 in first downs and 381-236 in total yards. They also logged four sacks and held a seven-minute edge in time of possession.
Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who made his Cowboys debut after a Nov. 4 trade, logged 1.5 sacks to lead a consistently dangerous defensive line.
"It was definitely emotional," Williams said. "[Kneeland] was a guy who played with relentless effort. A guy who was smart. A guy who made plays on the field. Seeing his picture gave me the motivation to play like him."
The Cowboys, who entered the matchup on a two-game skid, trailed 6-3 after the first 15 minutes Monday at Allegiant Stadium. They went on to hold a 30-10 scoring advantage over the final three quarters.
That surge included 21 consecutive points in the second quarter and touchdowns to end four-consecutive possessions, including their first drive of the second half.
"In a way, a competition like this with the Raiders is good therapy to come back and get in it," Jones said of the Cowboys, who wore shirts to honor Kneeland during pregame warmups and helmet decals of his No. 94.
"They know how much that Marshawn loved to compete, how much he loved the Cowboys. And to me, it's just a way of saying, 'This one's for you Marshawn.'"
Defensive end James Houston and defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa joined Williams with sacks of Raiders quarterback Geno Smith. Defensive tackle Kenny Clark logged a half sack. Safety Markquese Bell intercepted the Raiders quarterback, who completed 27 of 42 passes for 238 yards, a score and an interception.
Pro Bowl pass rusher Maxx Crosby recorded a sack and forced fumble in the loss.
The Raiders (2-8) will host the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in Las Vegas. The Cowboys (4-5-1) will host the Philadelphia Eagles (8-2) in an NFC East divisional matchup Sunday in Arlington, Texas.