The Dallas Cowboys’ investment in quarterback Trey Lance paid dividends as he delivered a standout performance in a commanding 27-12 preseason victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Lance, acquired last season with hopes of unlocking his immense potential, provided a tantalizing glimpse of what could be a bright future for America’s Team.
Lance Leads the Charge
Entering the game in the second quarter, Lance orchestrated two impressive scoring drives that showcased both his arm talent and mobility. He completed 15 of 23 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown, earning a passer rating of 98.3. Demonstrating his dual-threat capabilities, Lance also rushed for 34 yards on five carries, including a 2-yard touchdown run.
Table 1: Trey Lance’s Performance
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Completions | 15 |
| Attempts | 23 |
| Passing Yards | 151 |
| Touchdowns | 1 (passing), 1 (rushing) |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Rushing Yards | 34 |
| Passer Rating | 98.3 |
“I felt comfortable out there,” Lance said post-game. “The coaching staff put together a great game plan, and my teammates executed flawlessly. It’s just the beginning, but this performance gives us something to build on.”
Deuce Vaughn Impresses on the Ground
Running back Deuce Vaughn, returning from an injury that sidelined him during the preseason opener against the Rams, made a significant impact. The dynamic second-year player dazzled with 34 yards on just five carries, averaging an impressive 6.8 yards per carry.
Table 2: Cowboys Rushing Statistics
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average Yards/Carry | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deuce Vaughn | 5 | 34 | 6.8 | 0 |
| Trey Lance | 5 | 34 | 6.8 | 1 |
| Others | 15 | 69 | 4.6 | 0 |
| Total | 25 | 137 | 5.5 | 1 |
Vaughn’s agility and vision were on full display, as he consistently found and exploited gaps in the Raiders’ defense. His performance adds a promising dimension to the Cowboys’ backfield depth.
Defense Stands Tall Under Dan Quinn
Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn once again had his unit performing at a high level. Despite allowing 315 yards of total offense, the Cowboys’ defense limited the Raiders to just one touchdown for the second consecutive week.
Safety Juanyeh Thomas was a standout performer, recording two pass breakups in limited action. Cornerback Andrew Booth led the team with eight tackles, demonstrating solid coverage and tackling skills throughout the game.
Table 3: Cowboys Defensive Highlights
| Player | Tackles | Pass Breakups | Interceptions | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Booth | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Juanyeh Thomas | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Kemon Hall | 2 | 1 | 1 (69-yard TD) | 0 |
| Others | 20 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 33 | 7 | 1 | 2 |
The highlight of the defensive performance came early in the fourth quarter when cornerback Kemon Hall intercepted a pass from Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell and returned it 69 yards for a touchdown, effectively sealing the game for Dallas.
Special Teams: A Mixed Bag
While the offense and defense clicked, special teams had a roller-coaster night. Kicker Brandon Aubrey connected on field goals from 54 and 66 yards, the latter showcasing his remarkable leg strength. However, a kickoff out of bounds and a muffed punt by Jalen Cropper gave the Raiders favorable field positions, which they converted into points.
Table 4: Special Teams Performance
| Player | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Brandon Aubrey | 54-yard FG | Good |
| Brandon Aubrey | 66-yard FG | Good |
| Jalen Cropper | Punt Return Fumble | Lost Possession |
| Kickoff Team | Kickoff Out of Bounds | Raiders at 40-yard line |
Special teams coordinator John Fassel acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, “We have to clean up the mistakes. The turnovers and penalties are unacceptable, but we’ll address them in practice this week.”
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter
The Raiders started strong with their first-string offense, but the Cowboys’ defense held firm. After a turnover on downs by Vegas, Cooper Rush led Dallas to a 54-yard field goal by Aubrey. The Raiders responded with a field goal of their own, tying the game at 3-3.
Second Quarter
Lance took over and, despite two initial three-and-outs, found his rhythm on a drive culminating in a 1-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Flournoy. Lance’s late-quarter heroics set up Aubrey’s 66-yard field goal, giving Dallas a 13-6 lead at halftime.
Third Quarter
The Raiders narrowed the gap with a touchdown pass from O’Connell to Harrison Bryant, but failed on the two-point conversion, bringing the score to 13-12.
Fourth Quarter
Hall’s interception return for a touchdown extended the Cowboys’ lead. Lance then led an 88-yard drive, finishing it off with a 2-yard rushing touchdown, finalizing the score at 27-12.
Conclusion
The Cowboys’ preseason victory showcased the team’s depth and the promising talent of players like Trey Lance and Deuce Vaughn. While there are areas to improve, particularly on special teams, the overall performance provides optimism as the regular season approaches.
Head Coach Mike McCarthy reflected on the game, saying, “I’m proud of how our guys competed tonight. Trey showed great poise and playmaking ability, and our defense continues to be a strong point. We’ll review the tape, make necessary adjustments, and keep pushing forward.”
The Cowboys will look to carry this momentum into their next preseason matchup as they continue to fine-tune their roster and strategies for the upcoming season.
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