Raiders vs. Cowboys First Half Observations: Gardner Minshew starts the game during penultimate preseason game

The Las Vegas Raiders went into their penultimate preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys after a great showing against the Minnesota Vikings in preseason Week 1. This would be the game that decided the entire quarterback battle, as Antonio Pierce said he would have a decision on Sunday morning, the day after the game.This game […]

Justin Churchill — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
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Las Vegas Raiders Dallas Cowboys Gardner Minshew
Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders went into their penultimate preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys after a great showing against the Minnesota Vikings in preseason Week 1. This would be the game that decided the entire quarterback battle, as Antonio Pierce said he would have a decision on Sunday morning, the day after the game.

This game is one of the more important preseason games we have seen in years for the Raiders — maybe the most important in over a decade. And, yes, it's a preseason game, but it's important nonetheless.

On Saturday, we figured out a few things and took away a few observations at the half.

Raiders first-half observations against Cowboys

Raiders WR Tre Tucker went berzerk

Tucker was easily the best wide receiver on the field for the Raiders, even with Jakobi Meyers playing. But, alot of that had to do with the Raiders not getting Meyers good looks. Tucker had the biggest play of the game, a 48-yard deep ball, and also had a few crucial catches. And, let's not forget about that punt return that set the Raiders up for a field goal.

Raiders QB battle was over before AOC took snaps

Gardner Minshew had the deep ball to Tre Tucker, and a few other nice throws, but overall he was not great. He was 10-21 with 95 passing yards and had too many overthrows on plays that should have been easy passes. Sometimes he escaped the pocket when he didn't need to, and when he did, he often times threw bad passes on the run.

it just wasn't a great showing.

Raiders special teams were elite

Obviously, the Raiders were making their field goals, as they only had six points with two field goals. The Raiders also had great special teams defense. The punts by A.J. Cole were amazing, as he had one that skied over the returner's head, who then looked up with the defense in his face and fumbled the ball.

Let's also not forget about Tre Tucker's punt return, which was electric. The Raiders had the juice on special teams, for sure.

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