DT Tommy Kelly sacks Dallas QB Tony Romo. Photo by Tony Gonzales.
The Oakland Raiders fell to the Dallas Cowboys 3-0 at O.co Coliseum on ESPN's Monday Night Football to open the 2012 Preseason. RB Darren McFadden gained 38 yards on just three touches, QB Matt Leinart went 11 of 16 for 98 yards and SS Mike Mitchell chalked up an interception. However, two interceptions and two missed field goals kept the Raiders off the scoreboard.
The Raiders won the opening coin toss and elected to receive. After some impressive play from RB Darren McFadden, QB Carson Palmer threw an interception on a deep pass intended for WR Jacoby Ford. Dallas took over at their 37 after a 27-yard S Gerald Sensabaugh INT return.
The Cowboys drive fizzled on the Raiders side of the 50 and the Silver and Black took over at their 8 after the punt. Lonyae Miller replaced Darren McFadden at running back. The Raiders went three-and-out and rookie P Marquette came on to punt. King's 58-yard punt was wiped out by a running into the kicker penalty on the Cowboys giving the Raiders a first down.
The Raiders were unable to capitalize and King came on to punt. Safety Pat Lee drew a holding penalty on the 55-yard punt and subsequent return. Also, an offsides call on the Cowboys on the same play gave the Raiders another first down. Matt Leinart entered the game at quarterback. His third down pass for rookie WR Juron Criner was short of a first down and King came on to punt. King's punt just did break the plain of the goal line and was ruled a touchback.
Thanks to aggressive defense, including a sack from DT Tommy Kelly, the Cowboys went three-and-out. Ford mishandled the punt and it went out of bounds at the Raiders 36. The Raiders drive fizzled at the Dallas 34. A Dallas penalty put the Raiders on the Cowboys 29. K Sebastian Janikowski came on and missed wide right from 47 yards out. Dallas took over at the 37.
The Raiders held the Cowboys to a three-and-out and P Chris Jones punt went out of bounds at the 14. The Raiders drive stalled at the 46 and King came on to punt. The punt went out of bounds at the Dallas 19. Kyle Orton took over at quarterback. The Raiders defense halted the Cowboys at the Dallas 43. Ford returned the punt 6 yards to the Oakland 19.
The Raiders drive fizzled at midfield and King came on to punt with 43 ticks left until halftime. WR Cole Beasley called for and made a fair catch at the 16. A few plays later, SS Mike Mitchell picked off an Orton pass and returned it 19 yards to the Dallas 47 with 5 seconds left in the half. A 5-yard Miller run ended the half and the teams went to the locker room scoreless.
The Cowboys put the first points on the board when K Dan Bailey capped an 11-play, 67-yard drive with a 33-yard field goal with 8:02 left in the 3rd quarter.
CB Bryan McCann returned the ensuing kickoff to the 13 and Terrelle Pryor entered the game at quarterback. The Raiders went three and out after two Miller runs and a Pryor scramble. Beasley returned the 59-ayrd King punt to the Dallas 36.
Stephen McGee took over at quarterback for Dallas. The Cowboys drove to the Raiders 40 before the Silver and Black held on 4th and 2 and took over on downs with 4:14 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Raiders next drive stalled and King punted the ball back to Dallas who took over at the 34. The Raiders got into striking distance but K Eddy Carmona missed from 36 yards out and Dallas took over at the 26 with 6:44 left in the game.
After a three-and-out and a punt, the Raiders took over at the Oakland 22 with 4:29 to play. The Raiders were unable to mount a scoring drive and Mana Silver intercepted Pryor's pass on 4th and 26. QB Rudy Carpenter took a knee and ran out the clock to preserve the victory.
The Raiders head to Arizona to take on the Cardinals in Preseason Week 2 action Friday night.
