Cowboys keep season alive with Raiders win

The Dallas Cowboys cruised past the Las Vegas Raiders 33-16 on Monday night, as quarterback Dak Prescott threw four touchdown passes to keep their slim play-off hopes alive.

Prescott completed 25 of 44 passes for 288 yards to help the Cowboys improve to 4-5-1 on the season, with the Philadelphia Eagles among a tough stretch of opponents ahead.

In the Cowboys’ first game since the death of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, Prescott took control as the Raiders fell to their eighth loss of the year.

Coach Brian Schottenheimer and Cowboys players wore shirts honouring Kneeland, and they bowed their heads during a moment of silence before the game.

“They wanted to honour him, and we’re not done honouring him,” Schottenheimer said.

“He’s a part of our family forever. But it’s been tough, man. I mean, these past 11 days have been really tough. I’m proud of those guys because just the way they played today, they played with Marshawn’s playing style.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some tears when I first put the shirt on, as you can imagine. But more than anything, I know Marshawn was looking down on us, and we wanted to make him proud, and I think we did that.”

Prescott threw primarily to George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. Pickens (nine catches, 144 yards, one touchdown) and Lamb (five receptions for 66 yards and a TD) produced big numbers despite Schottenheimer benching them for the Cowboys’ first drive.

Javonte Williams provided the Cowboys with balance by rushing for 93 yards on 22 carries.

“You look at the energy those guys play with, they literally jump-started the offense when they got back in there,” Schottenheimer said. “They didn’t hang their heads. They didn’t do any of that stuff. And that’s why I love those guys, man.”

The Raiders are on a downward slide under first-year coach Pete Carroll. The Raiders have lost four straight and eight of nine.