Dallas Cowboys quarterback Will Grier (15) crosses the goal line for a touchdown in the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders Chris Smith II (42) and Sam Webb (27) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Sat Aug 25, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Saturday evening the Las Vegas Raiders traveled to Dallas taking on the Cowboys in their final pre-season game of the 2023 season. Yes it is a pre-season game but it is also vitally important to players vying for a spot in the final 53-man roster.

Up to this point NFL teams have carried as many as 90 players. The deadline for the final roster is Tuesday August 29th. This will be the day that dreams are either realized or crushed. Every player on the field Saturday night for both teams will want to put out extraordinary effort. The Raiders picked up the loss to the Cowboys 31-16 to close out the pre season schedule.

Game wrap up: The Cowboys took the lead in the first quarter 7-0. Quarterback Will Grier rushed for two yards and the touchdown. The Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson would get Las Vegas on the board in the second quarter kicking a 44 yard field goal.

Las Vegas was within striking distance trailing 7-3. Dallas distanced themselves in the second quarter scoring a second touchdown now leading 14-3. Will Grier found Luke Schoonmaker for nine yards and the score.

The Raiders found the end zone for the first time in this game at 4:38 in the second quarter. Damien Williams rushed for 24 yards and the touchdown. Las Vegas was within striking distance 14-10.

The Cowboys refused to back down continuing with a great offensive effort. Grier threw his second touchdown of the game finding Hunter Luepke for 15 yards as the first half began to wind down giving the Cowboys a 21-10 lead.

Dallas scored that touchdown with 0.50 left on the clock. Las Vegas squeezed five plays into the final 50 seconds. The sixth play of the final first half drive for the Raiders was a Daniel Carlson 62 yard field goal. This was impressive clock management from the Raiders. The half-time score was 21-13 in favor of the Cowboys.

The Raiders were able to kick a 50 yard field goal in the third quarter keeping Las Vegas in this game 21-16. Carlson was having an amazing game. Unfortunately Las Vegas would not score again in the game.

Dallas’ quarterback on the other hand was not even close to finished. Grier scored his second rushing touchdown of the game and the Cowboys were dominating this game 28-16. Dallas finished off this game with a 59 yard Brandon Aubrey field goal.

Grier had an impressive game with two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns. The Cowboys had 304 passing yards and 153 rushing yards. The Raiders did not fare well in this game. Vegas quarterback Aidan O’Connell threw for 178 yards and no touchdowns. They only had 97 rushing yards.

Newly acquired Dallas quarterback from the San Francisco 49ers Trey Lance did not get a snap under center on Saturday night. Neither Cowboys quarterbacks Dak Prescott or Lance played against the Raiders as Will Grier was under center for the entire game.

Las Vegas will kick off the regular season taking on the rival Broncos in Denver on Sunday September 10th. That game will start at 1:25 PM. The Cowboys will play on Sunday night football in New York taking on the Giants September 10th with kickoff at 5:20 PM.