This is typically the game in which each side really game-plans and plays its starters for about a half, so it should be an interesting clash between the two powers. The Cowboys are at home and will aim to win this game and hit the ground running heading into the regular season.
This game in Week 3 of the preseason will go down Saturday, August 26, 2017, at 8 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Oakland Raiders +3
Dallas Cowboys -3
Over/Under 44
Odds Analysis
Both of these teams are well-stocked with talent, so the home field advantage helps make Dallas the slight favorite. Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott is currently suspended for the first six games of the season but is allowed to participate in the preseason, and he may get more work than usual if the Cowboys want to get him some work before the expected layoff.
That is something to keep in mind as Dallas seems rightfully favored. The scoring total is pretty high for a preseason game as each side has an impressive offense and a defense with more holes.
Quarterback Rotation
It’s hard to make predictions based off preseason games, but second-year quarterback Dak Prescott looked solid so far. He was 7-of-8 passing for 106 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys win over the Colts last week and should see his biggest chunk of any preseason game in this one.
The Cowboys lost Tony Romo due to a serious injury in last year’s preseason, and that may stick in the back of coach Jason Garrett’s mind. Prescott should play some but if he doesn’t make it to halftime that wouldn’t be a shock. Kellen Moore is a below average backup quarterback and he is hoping to keep that title, although Cooper Rush has looked really good in the preseason and is pushing for second-string duties.
This won’t be a normal preseason game for the backups as there is a lot still hanging in the balance.
Derek Carr will get the start for the Raiders. He has established himself as one of the top young quarterbacks in the NFL and hopes to take the next step in his career in 2017. Carr has played sparingly early in the preseason but should see several series as he wants to avoid any hiccups when the regular season begins.
E.J. Manuel and Connor Cook are the backup signal-callers. Neither is particularly great, but they will aim to help pull out the win if the Raiders are within striking distance late.
Coaching History
Jason Garrett has an 11-17 preseason record to date and is 2-1 this year, having played an extra exhibition contest against the Arizona Cardinals in the Hall of Fame game prior to the start of preseason. The Cowboys went 1-3 the last two years during the preseason.
Jack Del Rio has a 22-23 preseason record including a 2-7 preseason record with the Raiders as he enters his third season as head coach. Oakland finished 1-3 in the preseason the last two years in a row and is 0-2 so far this season.
Free ATS Pick
Both teams are established already and don’t have much to prove in this one, so it’s a really tough game to judge. The Cowboys have the home field advantage, but it doesn’t mean as much in the preseason when the crowd isn’t as excited for the action.
Since this contest could truly go either way, take the points. The Raiders only need to keep this one close in order to cover the spread.
NFL Odds: Cowboys 17, Raiders 16
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