Dallas City News

The Dallas Cowboys moved to 1-1 in the preseason after the 27-12 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders Saturday night. While being able to put the “W” in the win column should be viewed as a positive, it’s not really what preseason matchups are all about.

Preseason is yet another tool NFL teams use to help build and finalize the league mandated 53-roster prior to the start of the regular season. The Dallas Cowboys are no exception and have a lot to take in consideration after their victory over the Raiders.

As with most preseason contest, there was both good and bad as well as a little ugly sprinkled in as well. Today, we will identify one aspect from the Week 2 preseason matchup with the Raiders and discuss why it was chosen.

THE GOOD – K Brandon Aubrey

With his 66-yard record-tying field goal Saturday night against the Las Vegas Raiders, Brandon Aubrey proved once again what a tremendous weapon the Dallas Cowboys have in their kicker. No. 17 was near automatic for them last season and already looks to be in midseason form through the first two preseason games. There may not be another kicker in the entire league capable of doing what Aubrey has proven without a shadow of a doubt he can do. This long range assassin should be a formidable weapon once again in 2024.

THE BAD – CB Kemon Hall

The bad for Kemon Hall is the Cowboys may not be able to keep him on their roster. Hall is turning himself into an INT machine. In the preseason opener he had an interception that ended up not counting due to an untimely penalty on CB Josh Butler, but that wasn’t the case Saturday night in the Week 2 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. He unexpectedly read QB Aidan O’Connell’s eyes to pick him off for a pick six. Sadly, No. 43 may be caught in a numbers game in Dallas and not make their final 53-my roster. That could be bad news for the Cowboys, but good news for another team.

THE UGLY – The Cowboys pass rush

It’s somewhat surprising how well the Cowboys secondary has managed to play through the first two preseason games against the L.A. Rams and Las Vegas Raiders despite the fact there has been little to no help from the pass rush. Losing Sam Williams to a season-ending knee injury was a big blow to the Cowboys depth at defensive end and so far no one has really stepped up to replace him. Marshawn Kneeland has had some good reps and was definitely causing a little havoc, but was unable to get a sack. Al-Quadin Muhammad showed a few glimpses of promise, but overall Dallas needs to pick it up. Carl Lawson could be an answer outside of Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.