Cowboys vs. Raiders Week 11: Three Must-Know Storylines for 'MNF' Showdown

[DallasEast]

Cowboys vs. Raiders Week 11: Three must-know storylines for 'Monday Night Football' showdown
By Christian Gonzales | NFL.com
November 16, 2025

Three must-know storylines

1) Can the Cowboys offense fix their recent slump?

The Cowboys have been able to run up the scoreboard with Dak Prescott under center this season. However, the last two games for the Dallas offense have not been up to par. During the team's last two losses, the Cowboys are averaging 20.5 points per game, compared to 31.7 points per game in their first seven games...

2) Smith, Raiders looking to rebound

It will be 11 days since the last time Geno Smith and the Raiders took the field after a Thursday night loss to the Broncos. How will Smith look after suffering a quad contusion in Week 10? The Raiders signal-caller was not on the injury report for this week, but it's been a rough first season for Smith in Las Vegas. In two prime-time games this season, Smith and the Raiders offense are 0-2 and scoring an average of eight points with 203 total yards...

3) Which defense will force turnovers on Monday night?

Monday's game will be the first time newly acquired Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and linebacker Logan Wilson take the field. After trading Micah Parsons to Green Bay, the Cowboys defense entering Week 11 ranks 31st in points allowed per game (30.8) and total yards allowed per game (397.4)...

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[nightrain]

Take the home dog on Monday night.

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

Take the home dog on Monday night.

I have a good feeling about this game. Take the road favorite tonight

 

[Coogiguy03]

4. How emotional will the Cowboys be with the Kneeland situation, will it affect the game in a positive manner

 

[Captain-Crash]

After the beatdown, will Jerry still be positive about the team?

 

[DallasEast]

4. How emotional will the Cowboys be with the Kneeland situation, will it affect the game in a positive manner

Gonzales mentions Kneeland at the beginning of his article:

During the Cowboys' bye week, defensive end Marshawn Kneeland died at the age of 24 on Nov. 6 from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.​

 

[CWR]

4. The Raiders offense is 29th in EPA.

Theres a few different way to rank overall offensive performance, but they are bottom of the list in any metric.

 

[Coogiguy03]

4. The Raiders offense is 29th in EPA.

Theres a few different way to rank overall offensive performance, but they are bottom of the list in any metric.

Someone mentioned something about them scoring 10 points or something most of the time, so if they're able to run up the score on us, you KNOW we're beyond bad!!!

 

[CWR]

Someone mentioned something about them scoring 10 points or something most of the time, so if they're able to run up the score on us, you KNOW we're beyond bad!!!

I already know we're beyond, but hopefully see some improvement the next few games.

 

[maryquality]

After the beatdown, will Jerry still be positive about the team?

You know that's a given.