Cowboys Shutout Raiders in Preseason Opener

The Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders are two of the most prestigious franchises in the NFL, but tonight's preseason opener was more about the individual players than the franchises.  Positions were up for grabs with the expanded rosters and unlikely prospects were given a moment to shine.  Both teams finished the 2011 season with a late-season collapse, so a fast start to the season was a must.  For the Cowboys and Raiders, their 2012 campaign began with the preseason opener in Oakland tonight.

Neither team performed particularly well in tonight's game, but player mistakes were expected in the first exhibition of the season.  The Raiders received the opening kickoff, but lost the ball to an early turnover-an interception returned for 31 yards by Gerald Sensabaugh.  Oakland struggled to take care of the ball throughout the game and lost the game because of it.  Even with their ball control issues, they were in position to take the lead late.  Terrelle Pryor came alive in the 4th and took the Raiders on two extended drives.  The first ended with an unsuccessful 36 yard field goal by Eddy Carmona.  The Raiders were running out of time after the wide right kick.  The Raider defense stepped up and gave the ball back to the offense.  Pryor was back in the saddle for the game-deciding drive and was in no hurry with four-and-a-half minutes remaining in the game.  On the drive's eleventh play, Pryor faced a 4th-and-long with 40 seconds remaining in the game.  The Dallas defense stepped up and intercepted their second pass of the game, ending another Oakland scoring opportunity.

The Cowboys also struggled on the offensive side of the ball, but an early second half drive put them over the top.  Kyle Orton signed with Dallas over the offseason and took Cowboys' fans on a joy ride during his debut.  He finished 7/12 for 87 yards and set up the game's lone scoring play with an eleven play drive in the third.  Dan Bailey converted on a 33 yard field goal and the Cowboys hung on for a tight road victory in Oakland tonight.  The Cowboys will face Philip Rivers and the Chargers in another nationally televised preseason game on Saturday Night, so they better come to play!