As the Dallas Cowboys head to Sin City to take on the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2 of the preseason, there are two very different quarterback situations set for this game.

On one side, the Cowboys are set to rest Dak Prescott, and on the other, there’s a full-fledged quarterback battle. That’s a big reason why our Cowboys vs. Raiders predictions give the hosts the edge. 

Don’t miss my NFL picks and predictions for Saturday, August 17. 

Cowboys vs Raiders prediction

My best bet
Raiders -6.5 (-110 at bet365)

My analysis

Normally, a spread this large in a preseason game is off-putting, but there’s a very specific reason that the Las Vegas Raiders are a near-touchdown favorite in this one. Head coach Antonio Pierce has two serviceable quarterbacks and he’ll be naming a starter in the days that follow this game.

Obviously, in the regular season, a combination of Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell is nothing to get excited about, but this is preseason and those two are like franchise quarterbacks compared to what the Dallas Cowboys will be throwing out there.

Last week, Dallas managed just 12 points against a Los Angeles Rams team that didn’t have an important player touch the field. While Cooper Rush looked good in his lone drive going 2-for-3 for 44 yards, it was Trey Lance who took the bulk of the snaps.

With Prescott out and Rush pretty much guaranteed to make the roster, it’s safe to assume Lance plays the majority of this game too, as he tries to make his case to be QB2. 

If the Rams game was any indication, he’s definitely not ready. He was 25-for-41 for 188 yards and missed more throws than most quarterbacks attempt in a preseason game.

Even with Lance’s legs as an X-factor, the Raiders should be just fine on defense. Players like Trevon Moehrig-Woodard, Jack Jones, and rookie Decamerion Richardson all saw the field last week in the secondary and should be able to shine this week against Lance.

Unlike Lance, both O’Connell and Minshew looked solid last week against Minnesota. The pair combined to go 13-for-21 for 193 yards and a score. Neither was spectacular, but they were both efficient and should be able to put up enough points against a Dallas defense that likely won’t have many key players on the field.

Those two will be the story of the game on offense, but the Raiders also have a few playmakers that can make a difference. Former third-round pick Tre Tucker showed off his big-play ability last week with 73 receiving yards on just two receptions.

His speed alongside Jakobi Meyers’ trusty hands gives Las Vegas a nice one-two punch at receiver. And don’t forget about rookie first-round pick Brock Bowers, who made two nice plays last week – 19 of his 25 receiving yards came after the catch.

As for the ground game, third-year running back Zamir White is expected to be the starter this season and he showed why against Minnesota last week. White and Alexander Mattison give the Raiders two physical backs to bully Dallas with on Saturday.

Cowboys vs Raiders odds

Cowboys vs Raiders live odds

Cowboys vs Raiders opening odds

• Spread: Dallas +3.5 (-110) | Las Vegas -3.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Dallas +160 | Las Vegas -190
• Over/Under: Over 36.5 (-110) | Under 36.5 (-110)

Cowboys vs Raiders betting trend to know

The Cowboys have won three of 11 preseason games with Mike McCarthy as head coach. Find more NFL betting trends for Cowboys vs. Raiders.

Cowboys vs Raiders game info

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