Sunday Night Football: Three takeaways from Cowboys' wild win over Raiders

Joe Rodgers

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Sunday Night Football: Three takeaways from Cowboys' wild win over Raiders image

The Cowboys kept their slim playoff hopes alive Sunday night with a number of bold play calls in a 20-17 win over the Raiders at Oakland Alameda Coliseum.  

Dallas not only called a fake punt in their own territory in the second half but also went for it on fourth-and-1 with just over five minutes remaining from their own 39-yard line. The Dak Prescott sneak was ruled a first down by a folded piece of paper, it was that close. 

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Dallas ended the drive with what turned out to be a game-winning field goal with 1:47 left. The Raiders had a chance to steal the win thanks to a 55-yard pass interference penalty, but on a third-and-3 with 39 seconds left, Derek Carr scrambled for the goal line and fumbled through the end zone. It was ruled a touchback, sealing the Cowboys win. 

With the win, Dallas joined the Lions and Seahawks at 8-6 on the year. The Falcons currently hold a half-game lead on that trio of teams for the final playoff spot, with Monday night's game against the Bucs looming large for the NFC playoff picture. 

With Ezekiel Elliott returning next Sunday against the slumping Seahawks, Dallas has plenty of optimism it can sneak into the postseason. They must win their final two games (vs. Seahawks, at Eagles), have the Lions lose once and have either the Falcons, Panthers or Saints lose twice. 

Three takeaways from the Cowboys' win over the Raiders. 

1. Derek Carr can't 'let it rip' like Jack Del Rio wants

Ahead of Sunday night's game, Raiders coach Jack Del Rio insisted his offense would 'let it rip' against the Cowboys. Problem is, Derek Carr isn't a gunslinger, at least not this season. Entering the game, Carr ranked third-worst among qualifying quarterbacks when it comes to throwing deep. Carr has completed just 13 passes this season that have traveled more than 20 yards downfield with a 48.5 QB rating on those plays.

Carr, who threw for just 171 yards and averaged just 4.5 yards per completion Sunday, saw his longest throw of the night go for 28 yards on a broken play. While Amari Cooper has been banged up of late, Carr has disappointed all season after signing a $125 million deal in June. His game-losing fumble essentially summed up the Raiders season. 

2. DEZperate Cowboys need to get Bryant going

Other than a 40-yard pass with three minutes remaining, Dez Bryant was quiet once again. The Raiders double-teamed Bryant for most of the night, and Dallas couldn't get him the ball until late, a common theme this season for the Cowboys' biggest playmaker. 

Bryant has never played all 16 games without recording 100 yards receiving at least once. He has two games remaining to break the century mark after Sunday's two-catch, 59-yard performance. If the Cowboys are to get into the playoffs, the 2014 All-Pro needs to be the difference maker. 

3. Sean Lee's return sparks Cowboys D

It's not a coincidence the Cowboys defense had one of its best performances of the season on linebacker Sean Lee's second game back from a three-game absence with a hamstring injury. Lee recorded his fifth career 20-tackle game against the Giants last week and continued to lead by example against the Raiders, recording a team-high 10 tackles. The Cowboys were 1-5 in games Lee missed or didn't finish because of injury. They are now 2-0 since he returned, and with Elliott returning next Sunday, the Cowboys are suddenly a dangerous team. 

Highlight

A fake punt led to the second Cowboys touchdown of the game. 

Sunday Night Football schedule

Week 16: No game due to Dec. 24 being Christmas Eve. There will be two games next Monday instead (Steelers at Texans; Raiders at Eagles). 

Joe Rodgers