The Dallas Cowboys get back into action in Week 11. After an active and emotional bye week for the team, the Cowboys go on the road for a matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders.
This will be their second-straight contest on Monday Night Football, and the second straight against a team with just two wins. Although the last game didn’t go as planned, the Raiders aren’t a very good team and there’s lots to love about the Week 11 matchup for the Cowboys.
Raiders’ poor rushing defense
Las Vegas hasn’t been great against the run in a long time. Though they have shown improvement in that area this season, but they still allow over 106 yards per game on the ground and give up too many rushing touchdowns.
Their defense has allowed 12 rushing scores through nine games, fourth worst in the NFL, and they give them up in bunches. Of those 12 touchdowns, 10 have come in just three contests, and each of those offenses rank inside the top 14 in the league in rushing. Currently, the Cowboys are 13th in the league in rushing at 120.7 ypg, and running back Javonte Williams is fourth in rushing scores with eight.
Javonte Williams scores the first TD of the day for Dallas
DALvsDEN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVntpic.twitter.com/sEVYx4VgWV
— NFL (@NFL) October 26, 2025
Williams’ nose for the end zone this season and the Raiders’ inability to stop good red zone rushing attacks could mean the Cowboys find their groove again with the running game in Week 11.
Struggling on offense
Despite finding a capable veteran quarterback and a stud RB to pair with elite tight end Brock Bowers, the Raiders have one of the worst offenses in the league. The unit can’t even manage to gain 275 yards a game in total offense on the season, ranking next to last in the NFL at 272.7 ypg.
The passing game under QB Geno Smith throws for just over 185 yards a contest, while the rushing attack led by rookie runner Ashton Jeanty is averaging only 87.4 ypg, good for 29th in the league. The Raiders are also next to last in points per game at just 15.4. Las Vegas has been shutout once and failed to reach double-digits on three other occasions, including last week’s loss.
It’s tough to win games in the NFL when a team can’t score, and the Raiders struggle to put points on the board. They aren’t consistent in either facet of the offense, which might be a perfect time for the Cowboys’ defense to get back on track.
Playing the Raiders with a new defense and with some significant additional pieces is the perfect time for Matt Eberflus’ unit to gain some confidence.
Hard time protecting the QB
Among the offensive issues with the Raiders is their inability to protect the QB. Smith has taken a beating under center this season and has been sacked the fourth-most times in the league.
#NFL Sack Leaders (GP) | Through Week 10:
1. Cam Ward | Tennessee Titans | 38 Sacks (9)
2. Drake Maye | New England Patriots | 35 Sacks (10)
3. Justin Herbert | LA Chargers | 33 Sacks (10)
4. Geno Smith | Las Vegas Raiders | 27 Sacks (9)
5. Trevor Lawrence | Jacksonville Jaguars… pic.twitter.com/ijAYxOkelc— Tyler S (@Tyler_SS11) November 11, 2025
Smith is coming off a game where we was sacked a season-high six times. That came against the best pass rushing team in the league, but Smith has four other contests where he’s been taken down at least three times.
Last week’s game also left Smith beaten up; he’s expected to play but is questionable with a thigh bruise. The news isn’t as good for one of the Raiders’ best offensive linemen, guard Jackson Powers-Johnson won’t play due to an ankle injury.
A gimpy QB playing behind a shorthanded OL that struggles to protect its quarterback is a recipe for the Cowboys to put pressure on Smith and force him into mistakes. Smith’s 12 interceptions are the second-most in the league this season.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Facing anemic Raiders offense among 3 things for Cowboys to love Wk 11
