Dallas City News

The Dallas Cowboys’ defense had a pretty good performance for the second week in a row. The Las Vegas Raiders are entrenched in a battle between Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew for who will be their starting quarterback. To the Cowboys’ defense credit, they made each quarterback look unworthy of leading the Raiders’ starting offense. The defensive line provided pressure, and the secondary was plastered to receivers, causing the opposing quarterbacks to hold the ball longer than they wanted to.

Both passers looked skittish as the Cowboys offense mustered enough of a spark to capture their first preseason win of the season. In the thick of the preseason, you turn to the undrafted players to make a statement and linger in the coaches’ minds as cutdowns approach. You also have on undrafted player who is already a star.

Brandon Aubrey, Kicker

Brandon Aubrey is the only kicker in camp, and it’s apparent why. After a dazzling first year in the NFL, where he earned First-Team All-Pro honors, Aubrey is in midseason form. Against Las Vegas, Aubrey nailed multiple big kicks. Aubrey placed a 54-yard kick through the uprights on his first field goal try to give the Cowboys the early 3-0 lead. Then, to close the first half, Aubrey attempted a 66-yard field goal try after a Trey Lance scramble to set up the long attempt.

Cool and calm, Aubrey casually struck the long effort to send both teams into the locker room to close the second quarter. Never mind if the kick is in the preseason and doesn’t “count.” It solidifies how much of a weapon Aubrey is that can produce points any time the Cowboys are near midfield, as he did Saturday. The Cowboys went the unconventional route and unearthed a diamond from the former undrafted MLS soccer player from the USFL.

Kemon Hall, Cornerback

For most of the night, it felt like Kemon Hall was a step behind. Earlier in the game, he did a great job of reacting to the ball in the air to defend the pass or the run in the flats to make the stop or the tackle; this might’ve foreshadowed what happened later. He did have some negative plays where he failed to make a tackle, and the receivers were able to make sizable gains after the catch. Yet, his pick-six off Aidan O’Connell had to feel exhilarating.

O’Connell was working his progressions to the right of the field but didn’t see Hall when he fired a pass intended for Harrison Bryant. Hall did a great job of playing the ball through the receiver’s hands and body to run it back for the score. At this stage in the preseason, Hall has a mountain to climb to make the team, but his big play could earn him snaps from the scout team, and hopefully, he will see extended play in the preseason finale. Hall is playing not only for the Cowboys but also for the entire NFL with his efforts, and the late-night showcase against the Raiders surely put him in some other team’s sights.

Denzel Daxon, Defensive tackle

The one thing that stood out in this game was how well the Cowboys commanded the line of scrimmage on both sides. The Cowboys were without Mazi Smith, who did not travel with the team; therefore, all eyes were on how the Cowboys would fare against the Las Vegas running attack. They passed the test with flying colors. Denzel Daxon plugged up the middle of the Raiders’ offensive line and led the defensive linemen group with five tackles. For a better barometer of how good Daxon and the defensive line were, the Cowboys held the Raiders to just 3.9 yards per rush as a team on 16 attempts before the Raiders’ final drive of the game.

After their difficulties stopping the run in 2023, it’s a positive sign for Daxon and the defensive front. The Cowboys recently traded for Jordan Phillips from the New York Giants, and he is expected to supplement the interior of the defensive line. However, it would be a bonus if Daxon could work himself into the rotation. However, if he doesn’t make the team, don’t expect Daxon to go anywhere; he is eligible for the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. In these conditions, Dallas can have Daxon on the practice squad this season without counting him against the 90-man roster, a great way to keep him and his potential in the fold.