Preview and Pick for Cowboys-Raiders on MNF
One of the best weeks of the 2025 NFL season concludes with two losing teams out of the playoff chase when the Dallas Cowboys (3-5-1) tackle the Las Vegas Raiders (2-7). Two longtime losing owners for the past two decades are growing old and tired of poor performances. So is Raider Nation, and I've seen first hand living in Las Vegas the turnaround of the Sports and Entertainment Capital with pro sports arriving but not including the Raiders among the winners or champions like the Golden Knights (NHL) and Aces (WNBA).
A Monday Night Football audience will tune in to see the offensive struggles of the Raiders, and banged-up and injured offensive line. But facing a deficient Cowboys defense may cure some of the problems to help the Raiders snap their 3-game losing streak and 7 losses in their last 8 games. Dallas’ defense sits second worst in the league by both DVOA and EPA per play. Few defenses are worse, and laying points on the road is a risk, even against the struggling Raiders.
Hard to imagine the Raiders won on the road at New England to start the season, and the Patriots have gone 9-1 since to tie the Denver Broncos (9-2) for the best record in the league. The Broncos won another close contest but a big one Sunday over the Chiefs (5-5), who are in jeopardy of missing the playoffs and now likely to have their 9-straight division titles streak snapped.
Cowboys-Raiders Odds, Picks And Props
Cowboys: -3.5
Total: 50
Opinion: Raiders
A Sunday sweep on NFL Week 11 sides included 3-0 on picks and opinions. We had added the Raiders as part of the card, despite their continued poor performances that included a 10-7 loss but ATS win at Denver on a short Week 10 Thursday Night Football. That was (one of) the ugliest game of the season.
Monday Night Football Cowboys-Raiders Stats
- Dallas games are averaging a league-high 60.0 combined points.
- Raiders games are averaging 39.9 combined points, 30th in the league. The Raiders slow starts and poor performing and scoring struggles includes averaging just 7.0 first-half points per game - 30th in the league.
- Opponents have scored 53.5 more points than their implied totals against Dallas this season, the 2nd-most in the league.
- The Raiders are averaging 4.7 plays per game that gain 15 or more yards, 31st in the league.
- Dallas allows 8.3 plays per game of 15 or more yards, 31st in the league.
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Player Props
Player props posted at OSGA are 15-8 since Week 3 following a very close loss on reception yards in Week 11 Steelers game, but a top pick winner on the Steelers. Last Monday night we chipped in a MNF Week 10 player prop winner, and suffered a receptions loser by 1 catch.
- Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty - Over 16.5 receiving yards
The Raiders top rookie draft pick has a solid shot to make a big impression against a Dallas defense that allows running backs to average 45 yards through the air and 4.9 receptions per game. 
The Cowboys zone-heavy defense is allowing an NFC-worst 397 yards per game at 6.1 yards per play including 68% completions and more than 22 QB completions per game. Jeanty was targeted five teams each of the last two games against stronger defenses of the Broncos and Jaguars. Jeanty is averaging 2.6 receptions and 5.9 yards per catch this season and he had 2 catches for 17 yards and 2 TD's plus a season-high 138 rushing yards and one TD against a similarily poor Bears defense in Week 4.
More usage and air yards expected against the the Cowboys, including by the Raiders TE's Brock Bowers (O/U 73.5 receiving yards) and Michael Mayer (25.5) if you consider adding more player props and prefer 'over' yards and receptions. Also, Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (254.5) has had two very productive games against Cover 3 defenses like the Raider run more often. Cowboys WR Pickens (O/U 64.5 receiving yards) is a key target, and TE Ferguson (35.5) too, as you consider more player props to profit.
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FairwayJay is a proven sports handicapper with top of the leaderboard success in NFL pointspread prognosis. Fairway is recognized as one of the sports industry's insightful analysts, and he chips in additional sports betting coverage and reporting on industry news and events. Follow FairwayJay here at OSGA.com and on X @FairwayJay for more sports betting insights.
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