The Dallas Cowboys second preseason game ended in a 17-9 loss at the hands of the Oakland Raiders in Cowboys Stadium. The Cowboys held a 6-0 lead through three quarters and led 9-7 in the fourth quarter until the Raiders took the lead for good after a field goal with just over two minutes remaining. The game remained 10-9 until the Cowboys hopes of a comeback win were intercepted with 33 seconds remaining by Raiders defender Jerome Boyd and returned for a touchdown concluding the game’s scoring.
If there’s one key factor the Cowboys need to focus on, it’s scoring touchdowns in the red zone. Some members of the Cowboys staff may feel they got too good of a look at kicker David Buehler, who converted on field goals from 42, 28 and 27 yards. These points came as the result of Dallas’ four drives stalled in the red zone, which consisted of plays from Oakland’s 16, 13, 10 and 9 yard lines. They failed at a conversion on fourth-and-short.
The Cowboys starters played the entire first quarter and looked particularly strong on defense. The Cowboys forced Jason Campbell and the Raiders to two three-and-outs on their first two drives.
The Cowboys opening drive reached Oakland’s 16 yard line. But three sacks by Oakland forced Dallas to kick a field goal.
Late in the game the Raiders turned up the offense and the Cowboys defense faltered a little. Down 9-0, Kyle Boller led an 80 yard Oakland drive, resulting in a touchdown. By then, the defense of Dallas consisted of entirely second and third string players; therefore, there is no reason to panic in Dallas.
Looking to San Diego
The Cowboys have walked away from the loss and will focus on the upcoming contest with the San Diego Chargers. The next game is Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 8 p.m. in San Diego.
The Chargers are coming off a 25-10 victory over the Chicago Bears. San Diego came out of the gates red hot, scoring on the team’s opening drive. Starting quarterback Phillip Rivers went 4-for-6 for 62 yards and a touchdown. In addition to stopping a high- powered passing attack, which ranked fifth in the NFL a season ago, Dallas will have to stop rookie running back Ryan Matthews. Matthews rushed for 50 yards on nine carries and had 11 receiving yards out of the backfield.
The Chargers are without future Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson, who left the Chargers in free agency for the New York Jets.
What Running Game?
You may have to do a double take after looking at the Cowboys rushing stats. Third-string quarterback Stephen McGee led all rushers with 15 yards. That isn’t going to fly in Big D. Starters Marion Barber and Felix Jones combined for just 12 yards on five carries. Meanwhile Tashard Choice carried the ball five times for nine yards. Dallas rushed for 66 yards with just a 3.0 yards-per-carry average.
San Diego held the Bears to 48 total yards on the ground.
No Boot, No shirt, No Problem
Dallas Cowboys wider receiver and first round pick has been all over the news in the last year. From his private NFL workout in his hometown of Lufkin, Texas in which he trained for scouts in nothing but spandex and his refusal to carry Roy Williams’ pads, Dez has proven he isn’t afraid to express himself. Bryant hasn’t participated in any preseason games, but he was given the word Saturday that he could remove the boot he has been wearing since his high ankle sprain a few weeks ago. Bryant said he is shooting for an August 28 return -- which is the Cowboy’s fourth preseason game vs. the Houston Texans. He’s optimistic he will participate in the game -- and after playing catch with Miles Austin, he said he was feeling no pain at all.
Dallas Cowboys Schedule
Next Cowboys Game:
Dallas vs. San Diego
8 p.m. Central
