OFFICIAL GDT - Cowboys vs Raiders!!! - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

Underdog · 11-26-2009, 01:46 PM

Cowboys vs. Raiders
Dallas Can't Trip Up On Turkey Day Against Oakland

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GAME SET
WHAT: Dallas Cowboys (7-3) vs. Oakland Raiders (3-7)
WHEN: Thursday, 3:15 p.m. (CT)
WHERE: Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas
TELEVISION: CBS (Jim Nantz and Phil Simms)

BIG ISSUE: It's been a short week for the ailing Cowboys, and even though they're veterans of the quick turnaround for the Thanksgiving Day game, this time it could affect them. Key players, like quarterback Tony Romo and tight end Jason Witten, have had little time to get healthy. The out-of-sync offense has had little practice time to work out the kinks. The Cowboys must protect their one-game NFC East lead over the Eagles and Giants against normally down-and-out Oakland, which just beat one of the hottest teams in the league. The game that once looked the easiest on the Cowboys' schedule is now not such a gimme, though the Raiders' players only get three days' rest, too.

The Raiders did win last week against Cincinnati, but everyone knows their season is going nowhere, and a win against the Cowboys won't change that. But that doesn't mean they won't fight for one. The Raiders got hot toward the end of last season, too, and will try to finish their final five games in a similar fashion. If they can drop the Cowboys at home on Thanksgiving, they might garner a bit of a reputation as giant killers, having already beaten both the Eagles and Bengals.

NUMBERS, PLEASE: It's common knowledge the Cowboys have had offensive troubles as of late, but some of those troubles have been there all along. The Cowboys have been dismal on their opening drives this season, only scoring once, in the season opener against Tampa Bay, and that was a field goal. In 11 games, the Cowboys have yet to score a touchdown on their first possession, and only average a drive of 23 yards each time.

How did the Raiders beat the Bengals last week? By being opportunistic. Oakland took advantage of every Cincinnati miscue by recovering three fumbles, picking off a pass and benefiting from a missed field goal. Fumbles, interceptions and missed field goals have been issues for the Cowboys lately, so they'll have to be careful in order to prevent Oakland from finding a way into the game.

ONE-ON-ONE: Thursday's game will mark the first time defensive end Greg Ellis played a game in Dallas in a different jersey. But just because he's gone to Oakland doesn't mean all is forgotten. The man Ellis will go head-to-head with right tackle Doug Free, who ran with the second team in practice when Ellis was a Cowboy. Free will have his hands full with the veteran Ellis, who has five sacks this year while rushing the passer from his more natural defensive end position. Of course, maybe Free knows more about Ellis than most, too.

While quarterback Bruce Gradkowski may resurrect the Raiders' left-for-dead passing game, the run game will still be their bread and butter, meaning that Raiders center Samson Satele will be at the middle of the action. His match-up is Pro Bowl nose tackle Jay Ratliff, who excels at causing havoc in the backfield. If the Raiders want to get the ball past the line of scrimmage on inside running plays, Satele, who has started 38 games in three seasons, will have to hold his own.

SUPPORTING ROLE: Welcome to the party, Martellus Bennett. The second year tight end has not been the weapon the Cowboys have hoped he would be this far into the season. But after his best game of 2009 (three catches for 43 yards), and with starter Jason Witten listed as questionable with a sprained foot, Bennett could get his chance to shine after an eye-opening training camp.

The Raiders have finally benched starting quarterback Jamarcus Russell. In comes Bruce Gradkowski, and lo and behold, the Raiders knock off the Bengals with their highest scoring output of the season. Now Gradkowski will face a Cowboys defense that didn't allow a touchdown last week. But, keep in mind Gradkowski has done this routine before - he was the quarterback for Tampa Bay three years ago on Thanksgiving when the Cowboys buried the Bucs under Tony Romo's five touchdown passes from. The Cowboys hope that happens again. Gradkowski, though, hopes the second time is the charm.

HEADSET GAMES: Several Cowboys mentioned during the week how mobile Gradkowski is compared to the offensive lineman-sized JaMarcus Russell. It's important their pass rushers stay in their lanes and not give Gradkowski the ability to pop out of the pocket. And when he does squeeze out to one side or another, the Cowboys can't lose sight of their receivers.

If the Cowboys want to get the passing game going against the Raiders, they have to remember to do one thing - avoid cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Asomugha is considered one of the best shutdown corners in the league, which makes passing toward his side a near futility. Asomugha mostly stays on the right side of the field, though, so expect a lot of the passing action to test his cornerback counterpart, Chris Johnson.

HEALTH WATCH:

Cowboys

Starting free safety Ken Hamlin (ankle) and starting right tackle Marc Colombo (ankle and leg) both remain out. Starting tight end Jason Witten (foot) is listed as questionable, having been limited in practice the last two days. He's a game-time decision. The rest on the injury report - starting running back Marion Barber (thumb), starting inside linebacker Keith Brooking (ankle), kickoff specialist David Buehler (toe), starting cornerback Mike Jenkins (elbow and head), starting quarterback Tony Romo (back), starting strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh (thumb) and starting outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (foot) - all are probable.

Raiders

The Raiders already know they'll be without the services of backup wide receiver Nick Miller (shin) and starting outside linebacker Jon Alston (illness). They are also likely to miss backup linebacker Isaiah Ekejiuba, who is listed as doubtful with a knee injury. Perennially injured wide receiver Javon Walker (hamstring) is listed as questionable. Starting defensive end Greg Ellis (knee) and starting defensive tackle Richard Seymour (back) are listed as probable.

alexamenos · 11-26-2009, 02:20 PM

Can anyone recall a 7-3 cowboys team that generated less excitement than the current one?

alexamenos · 11-26-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexamenos

Can anyone recall a 7-3 cowboys team that generated less excitement than the current one?

I'll take that as a 'no'.

alexamenos · 11-26-2009, 04:39 PM

Emmitt Smith or Barry Sanders?

Discuss

Underdog · 11-26-2009, 04:52 PM

3-0 in the first half is the best start we've had in weeks...

chumdawg · 11-26-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexamenos

Can anyone recall a 7-3 cowboys team that generated less excitement than the current one?

We're all getting older.

alexamenos · 11-26-2009, 04:56 PM

This game has been an offensive barn-burner.

chumdawg · 11-26-2009, 04:57 PM

Hawyard-Bay was wearing Jenkins like a sweater.

RareMilk · 11-26-2009, 05:02 PM

lol @ scott & branch....phew

alexamenos · 11-26-2009, 05:07 PM

Play makers making plays.

Underdog · 11-26-2009, 05:07 PM

I started Felix today... I started Felix today... I started Felix today...

chumdawg · 11-26-2009, 05:07 PM

Jones ain't gonna get fetched...like Choice was earlier.

mavErika · 11-26-2009, 05:19 PM

Yay, thanks to the early game time I get to watch a Football game! And got to see a TD right after tuning in. Had to check the standings, these Raiders don't seem to be very good, huh?

And happy Thanksgiving everyone! It's past eleven p.m.(CET) and now I finally get to eat something different from cake since breakfast.
Warum bin ich immer Hunger?! Why?

Underdog · 11-26-2009, 05:40 PM

Greatness...

alexamenos · 11-26-2009, 05:42 PM

The man with too many teeth strikes again.

chumdawg · 11-26-2009, 05:46 PM

Austin is just toying with them at this point.

GermanDunk · 11-26-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mavErika

Yay, thanks to the early game time I get to watch a Football game! And got to see a TD right after tuning in. Had to check the standings, these Raiders don't seem to be very good, huh?

And happy Thanksgiving everyone! It's past eleven p.m.(CET) and now I finally get to eat something different from cake since breakfast.
Warum bin ich immer Hunger?! Why?

Bah. Germans eat Haxn & Kraut !

Jon Avalon · 11-26-2009, 06:25 PM

what in the world, we made them look like elite on that drive.

Underdog · 11-26-2009, 07:27 PM

WIN! 8-3

tcat075 · 11-26-2009, 09:15 PM

Good win, guys! How about Miles Austin, our #1 reciever!

DirkFTW · 11-26-2009, 11:20 PM

Thanks. I'm going to have nightmares again tonight.

tcat075 · 11-27-2009, 09:23 AM

No problem, dude.

92bDad · 11-28-2009, 05:00 PM

If Roy can do what he did in the Raider game, against the Giants, Saints, Chargers, Redskins and Eagles...then perhaps we can have a legit double threat at the WR come playoff time...if not, we may risk missing the playoffs alltogether.

Time for Roy to shows some consistancy...until then the criticism shall remain.