Quinnen Williams finally takes the Cowboys field in Week 11, and a Raiders insider reveals why this debut could change everything.QQ
The Dallas Cowboys play the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football and we’re going behind enemy lines.
When the Dallas Cowboys play the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football, it will be the first time they take the field in two full weeks. They should look like a very different team following a busy trade deadline along with multiple returns from injury.
Can we expect those changes to make an immediate impact? At least for All-Pro Quinnen Williams, it seems to be the case. I reached out to A to Z Sports Las Vegas’ Justin Churchill to get insight on the Raiders and one of the first things he mentioned was offensive line weaknesses.
The Cowboys player returning is crucial for the defense…The Cowboys player returning is crucial for the defense…
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Let’s dive in.
The Cowboys are welcoming in Quinnen Williams and have looked moderately better rushing the passer. Who is the weakest link on the Raiders OL that they can attack in pass situations?
Churchill: Right now it’s anyone not named DJ Glaze over at right tackle, and even he has had a bit of a sophomore slump compared to what he did as a rookie last season. With Kolton Miller out, Jackson Powers-Johnson now on IR, the Raiders are using a makeshift offensive line with guys like Alex Cappa, one of the worst offensive linemen in the league, Jordan Meredith, and Dylan Parham — or whoever is going to play for him if he can’t go Sunday. This whole offensive line just stinks, and this could be a great get-right game for that Cowboys pass rush. It also helps that Geno Smith just isn’t comfortable in the pocket at all.
Geno Smith has 12 interceptions and 11 passing touchdowns, Ashton Jeanty is averaging under four yards per attempt, and Brock Bowers has had a slower season than expected. What’s the problem with the Raiders offense and where can opponents exploit it?
Churchill: The offensive line and quarterback play is the root of all issues. OC Chip Kelly hasn’t called a great game once this year, but he’s not the main issue. When the offensive line does pass block well, Geno Smith looks like he’s seeing ghosts. The line can’t really run block, and when you become a predictable offense like they are, where opponents know you’re either running or throwing to Brock Bowers, you become very easy to stop.
The Raiders are 2-7 but in the NFL, teams always have to be cautious. What is the most dangerous thing about Las Vegas the Cowboys need to worry about?
Churchill: The most dangerous thing is that this team still has Maxx Crosby and Brock Bowers. Yes, everything around them seems to be crashing and burning, but those two are both capable of taking over games, and we have seen it a ton, especially with Crosby. The numbers won’t tell the whole story, but Crosby is actually having an amazing year, and is constantly double teamed and taking on chips. There is a world where that guy just does what he wants on defense on Monday Night Football. However, even then this year we have seen that happen, and the offense can never help him out.
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