NFL Picks: Preseason Week 3 Raiders vs Cowboys

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The bustling AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas will come alive this NFL Game Saturday, as the Las Vegas Raiders square off against the Dallas Cowboys in a climactic preseason face-off. The Raiders have been on a winning streak, triumphing over San Francisco with a 34-7 score and routing the Rams 34-17, with the spotlight on Jimmy Garoppolo’s impressive Raiders debut. Contrarily, the Cowboys have yet to taste victory this preseason, having lost to both Jacksonville and Seattle.

BUSR NFL Lines:

• Spread: Raiders -5 (-110), Cowboys +5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Raiders -217, Cowboys +174
• Total: Raiders O 38.5 (-110), Cowboys U 38.5 (-110)

Dallas Cowboys’ Strategy: Health Over Wins?

Despite the preseason results, for Cowboys’ head coach Mike McCarthy, the primary goal isn’t necessarily the win column. McCarthy’s philosophy leans towards preserving the health and readiness of key players for the regular season. This strategy is evident with the absence of starting quarterback Dak Prescott in the preseason games. Instead, the reins have been handed to Cooper Rush and Will Grier, with the latter having clocked 355 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Rush isn’t far behind, contributing 179 yards and a touchdown.

The Cowboys’ running game displays promise too, especially with rookie Deuce Vaughn’s commendable average of 4.9 yards per carry. While the iconic Ezekiel Elliott might not be donning the Cowboys’ jersey, Tony Pollard’s presence, coupled with Vaughn’s impressive performances, spells hope for the team.

However, fans anticipating Prescott’s presence against the Raiders might be in for disappointment. It’s likely that Dallas will stick to the Rush-Grier combo, holding Prescott back until the regular season’s kick-off. McCarthy’s commitment to player health is further solidified with the questionable listing of Donovan Wilson, their starting free safety, and four of their backups.

Raiders’ Off-season Game-changers Ready to Roll

For the Raiders, the highlight of their off-season was undoubtedly acquiring quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Eager to showcase his prowess, Garoppolo is all set for extended action against the Cowboys. His debut performance, where he completed all four of his passes accumulating 39 yards, has raised expectations. Supporting Garoppolo, Aidan O’Connell and Brian Hoyer will also be clocking in minutes under center against the Cowboys. Given the stakes, the Raiders are poised to field their primary offense and defense for a significant part of the game.

Another name to watch out for is wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, another notable off-season catch for the Raiders. His chemistry with Garoppolo will be under scrutiny as he’s set to see substantial action this Saturday. Although Hunter Renfrow’s participation remains questionable, the Raiders are in a comfortable spot with no injuries reported for their starting defense. However, they will miss backup Darien Butler, who’s on injured reserve, and Brandon Facyson, listed as questionable.

Recommendations

Drawing insights from the preseason strategy of both teams, Mike McCarthy’s emphasis on health preservation suggests we might see familiar faces from the Cowboys’ first two preseason games. This approach might even extend to resting their shining rookie, Deuce Vaughn. This is why Dallas’ NFL Odds aren’t encouraging.

In stark contrast, the Raiders are gearing up to showcase their starters, especially spotlighting their new acquisitions, Jimmy Garoppolo and Jakobi Meyers. The early segments of the game could see the Raiders taking a lead, given Garoppolo’s form. This lead might be sustained as the game progresses, with backups stepping in during the latter half. Given the Cowboys’ likely strategy of benching their offensive starters, their offense might find it challenging to pierce through the Raiders’ fortified defense.

In summary, the stage is set for a captivating showdown at AT&T Stadium. While the Cowboys aim to maintain player vitality, the Raiders look to capitalize on their rejuvenated roster. As the teams converge for this preseason finale, all eyes will be on Garoppolo and the revamped Raiders, anticipating a display of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship.