Dallas at Oakland Preview
Atssportsline.com
Dallas at Oakland
Dallas meets Oakland on Monday night from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum at 8pmET. New Oakland coach Dennis Allen makes his debut for the Raiders.
The Cowboys are coming off an 8-8 SU season, they were 7-9 ATS and 6-10 Under. Last year, they went 1-3 ATS in the preseason. Jason Garrett is 2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS and 1-3 Under in preseason. Oakland is coming off a 8-8 SU season, and they were 9-6-1 ATS and 6-10 Under. Last year, they went 0-4 ATS in the preseason. Allen is in his first year as head coach in the NFL.
The temperature is expected to be 68 degrees and clear.
The Cowboys are coming off a disappointing 8-8 season, so the pressure is now on Garrett and QB Tony Romo. The offense wasn't a major issue last year as they were 7th in passing but just 18th in rushing (112.9ypg). DeMarco Murray appeared to be the answer at RB but faded down the stretch. Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, assuming he gets act together, are a strong duo. The defense allowed 244.1ypg in the air. They picked up SS Brodney Pool and CB Brandon Carr. They also drafted CB Morris Claiborne from LSU, who has been hampered by an MCL injury in camp. They still have one of the best outside linebackers in the game (19.5 sacks) last year. Oakland is led by QB Carson Palmer, who they traded early-round picks to the Bengals for. Palmer struggled with turnovers but did show a strong arm. Now he has to adjust to OC Greg Knapp's west coast offense. At running back, Darren McFadden returns with his great speed but also has injury injury issues. On defense, they have to improve the pass defense (27th) and run defense (27th). Without a pick in the first two rounds, that will be difficult. They added corners Shawntae Spencer and Ron Bartell, who will probably start right away.
Dallas starts out with Romo followed by Kyle Orton, Stephen McGee and Rudy Carpenter. Oakland starts Carson Palmer followed by Matt Leinart and Terrelle Pryor.
The Cowboys' key injuries include: WR Miles Austin (hamstring) is dbtful. CB Mike Jenkins (shldr) is out indef. CB Morris Claiborne (knee) is out. Oakland: RB Mike Goodson (head) is out.
Preseason Trends:
Dallas is 5-10 ATS L15 games.
Dallas: 10-19 ATS vs. AFC West opponents
Oakland: 4-0 Over in home games
QB Rotations:
Dallas
Tony Romo
Kyle Orton
Stephen McGee
Rudy Carpenter
Oakland
Carson Palmer
Matt Leinart
Terrelle Pryor
NFL Preseason Logs Last 6 Years
DALLAS (AT)
2006 Results
at Seattle W +3 13-3 u35'
at New Orleans W -3 30-7 o35'
(at Shreveport, LA)
SAN FRAN. W -7 17-7 u36
MINN. (OT) L -6 10-10 u34'
2007 Results
INDY W -5 23-10 u34
DENVER W -5 31-20 o35
at Houston L -2' 16-28 o40
at Minnesota L +2' 14-23 o36'
2008 Results
at San Diego L +3 17-31 o35'
at Denver L +2’ 13-23 u37
HOUSTON L -5 23-22 o42
MINN. W -3 16-10 u34
2009 Results
at Oakland L +2 10-31 o34’
TENNESSEE W -3 30-10 o38’
SAN FRANCISCO L -6’ 13-20 u38
at Minnesota W +3 35-31 o36
2010 Results
#Cincinnati W +3 16-7 u33’
at Canton, Ohio
OAKLAND L -3 9-17 u33’
at San Diego W +2’ 16-14 u35’
at Houston L +5’ 7-23 u41’
MIiami W +3 27-25 o37
2011 Results
DENVER L -3 24-23 o34
SAN DIEGO L -1 7-20 u37’
at Minnesota W -1 23-17 o36’
at Miami L +3’ 3-17 u36’
Oakland
2006 Results
at Philadelphia W +3 16-10 u36
(at Canton, OH)
at Minnesota W +2’ 16-13 u36’
San Francisco W -3 23-7 u37
Detroit W -3 21-3 u35
at Seattle L +3 7-30 o36’
2007 Results
Arizona W -1’ 27-23 o35
at San Fran. L +3’ 21-26 o36’
St. Louis W +1 20-10 u37’
at Seattle L +3 14-19 u37’
2008 Results
SAN FRAN. W -3 18-6 u33'
at Tennessee W +4 16-17 u35
ARIZONA L -3 0-24 u38
at Seattle L +3 16-23 o36
2009 Results
DALLAS W -2 31-10 o34’
at San Francisco W +3 20-21 o34’
NEW ORLEANS L +2’ 7-45 o41’
at Seattle L +3 21-31 o36
2010 Results
at Dallas W +3 17-9 u34
at Chicago W +2’ 32-17 o33’
SAN FRANCISCO L -1’ 24-28 o37’
SEATTLE P -3 27-24 o38
2011 Results
ARIZONA L -3 18-24 o32’
at San Francisco L +2 3-17 u34’
NEW ORLEANS L +4’ 20-40 o38
at Seattle L +3’ 3-20 u37
What Bettors Need to Know: Raiders at Cowboys
By Covers.com
Dallas Cowboys at Oakland Raiders (-1, 34.5)
Reggie McKenzie’s first move was hiring Dennis Allen as the Raiders new head coach. Allen, who was the defensive coordinator with Denver last year, inherits a deep but undisciplined front line, one that surrendered a whopping 5.1 yards per rush last season for new defensive coordinator Jason Tarver. Oakland is set on improving and tinkering with its rush defense this preseason.
With Taiwan Jones and Mike Goodson out with injuries, halfback Lonyae Miller has seen an increase in snaps this training camp. Expect Miller to take the majority of the carries on Monday night.
First-string quarterback Carson Palmer and No. 1 running back Darren McFadden are likely to see limited time in the preseason opener. New backup quarterback Matt Leinart should see a significant amount of snaps.
The Cowboys are plagued with injuries.
David Arkin had never snapped the ball for the Dallas Cowboys before getting to training camp two weeks ago but could be snapping for Tony Romo on Monday.
Starting center Phil Costa missed practice Saturday because of a lower back injury and is doubtful against the Raiders. Wide receiver Dez Bryant left practice early Saturday because of hamstring tightness and will be a game-time decision.
Rookie cornerback Morris Claiborne returned to practice Saturday after missing a week with a sprained left knee. He isn't expected to play against the Raiders.
Starters like Romo are only likely to play one series or perhaps up to one quarter.
Cowboys vs. Raiders
By Antony Dinero
VegasInsider.com
Sure, it's preseason, but all of this matters.
The Olympics and the NBA's top Summer saga shared headlines with the NFL's return, occasionally accomplishing the impossible in overshadowing America's pastime in August. With both events complete, look for everyone to flock to this Monday night game between two of the country's most polarizing teams, the Cowboys and Raiders.
For Oakland, 2012 offers an opportunity to start fresh, not only with a new regime, but also with rental quarterback Carson Palmer getting an opportunity to go through a training camp. He's out to become consistent by going the conventional route in becoming an organization's trusted signal caller, so from that standpoint, developing continuity after last season's flashes of brilliance and ineptitude is key.
So far, that's been difficult.
Issues on the offensive line and with top receiver Denarius Moore have forced Palmer to try and find a rhythm with lesser options under circumstances that intrude on preparation. Darius Heyward-Bey, Jacoby Ford and rookies Juron Criner and Rod Streater will have to benefit, but in this first live run, won't get to see much of Palmer. Look for Oakland to be cautious and utilize this opportunity to take long looks at Matt Leinart and Terrelle Pryor.
Pryor, the Ohio State standout who withdrew from school after allegations of improper benefits surfaced, was a supplemental pick last June and is also looking forward to a conventional exhibition season. He's expected to see the majority of second-half snaps prior to giving way to the latest Ivy League quarterback hoping to express, Brown's Kyle Newhall-Caballero.
Princeton alum Jason Garrett used to live for the preseason in his playing days since it often led to extended action, so look for him to turn to his backups quickly, and not for sentimental reasons. The head coach is certain to be cautious with Tony Romo, expected to get a single series due to Dallas' offensive line issues. Center Phil Costa will miss the game to rest an ailing back, while likely starters Derrick Dockery and Mackenzy Bernadeau have been limited in practices leading up to this one. Dez Bryant has a hamstring issue that will likely earn him the night off. Miles Austin has also had hammy issues in August, so the Cowboys have gotten little work done with what's expected to be the first-string passing game.
If you're rooting for Dallas, the key will be how well Kyle Orton collaborates with young receivers Dwayne Harris, Cole Beasley, Kevin Ogletree and Andre Holmes. Stephen McGee and Rudy Carpenter are battling for the No. 3 job and will get their crack come second half, so if you're counting on the Cowboys to notch a road win, you're banking on backups to really perform in a hostile atmosphere.
Help from the running game will have to come from those vying to make the team behind DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones, who are only expected to do limited work. Ed Wesley and Javarris Williams will take the snaps they would've split with Lance Dunbar and Philip Tanner come second second half.
The Raiders will field similar inexperience since Darren McFadden's primary backups, Taiwan Jones (hamstring) and Mike Goodson (neck) will both miss the contest. Lonyae Miller, who started on Dallas' practice squad and has done the same with Oakland, will be the primary back for the home team.
Jon Gruden, calling the game for ESPN, will be making his first trip back to the Oakland Coliseum (now O.co) since cutting ties with the organization. Considering it's also the first Raiders preseason game since Al Davis passed away last October, count on hearing a few stories about the team's revolutionary former owner.
Dennis Allen, the first defense-oriented coach to take the helm in Oakland since John Madden, will have many things scripted for his first dry run. Garrett went 2-2 in his first preseason in 2011, with the Cowboys going 1-3 against the spread.