Cowboys vs. Raiders Preseason: 'Mazi & Grier Show'? 53-Man Roster Moves Await
ARLINGTON - In their preseason finale, the Dallas Cowboys host the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday night at AT&T Stadium. ... and one guy on offense and one guy on defense figure to be in the spotlight - for vastly different reasons.
Dallas has a chance to snap the Raiders' six-game preseason winning streak ... but winning is not the main priority for a Cowboys team that hopes to avoid any more preseason injuries.
This matchup is highlighted by a deeper look at preseason standouts and and a few key position battles.
Most of the Cowboys starters, including quarterback Dak Prescott, have watched from the sidelines during both exhibition games. Prescott has not played during preseason since 2019. He will again be out on Saturday vs. Las Vegas as Will Grier runs the show ... right before he gets cut in favor of the just-traded-for QB Trey Lance.
So that's one "showcase'' guy; Dallas is going to give Grier every chance to demonstrate his wares to a next employer.
The wait continues to see coach Mike McCarthy calling plays for the No. 1 offense. However, preseason is an excellent opportunity to watch players vying to make the roster, while others make a case for major playing time ...
At running back, Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis and Deuce Vaughn are in the mix for playing time behind Tony Pollard. Also keep an eye on Brandon Aubrey, the lone kicker on the roster, who made both of his extra points in preseason Week 2.
In their final tuneup game before the regular season opener vs. the New York Giants on Sept. 10, the Dallas defense will have a chance to get after Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell, who has been arguably the best rookie quarterback of the entire preseason.
And that's where the other spotlight comes in - on rookie defensive tackle Mazi Smith. The Cowboys would love for their first-rounder to develop quickly so he can be a front-of-the-rotation helper ... while somehow leaping over the growing pains that have been a bit of an issue so far.
Dallas' many roster hopefuls try to earn their spot before Tuesday, Aug. 29, when every NFL team must reduce its roster to no more than 53 players. Dallas' 16-player practice squad will then begin to form.
The 2023 Dallas squad hopes to improve on a 12-5 campaign and usurp the Philadelphia Eagles as NFC East Division champions.
INJURY UPDATE: Both LB DeMarvion Overshown and tight end John Stephens, who both left the game Saturday with knee injuries, have torn ACLs that require season-ending surgery.
RECORDS: Dallas Cowboys (0-2 preseason) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (2-0 preseason)
ODDS: Dallas is a 5-point underdog vs. the Raiders.
GAME TIME: Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 7 p.m. CT
LOCATION: AT&T Stadium - Arlington, TX
TV/RADIO: CBS 11, 105.3 The Fan
THE FINAL WORD: Coach Mike McCarthy on Dowdle's impressive performance in Week 2 vs. Seattle:
"I love his running style,'' McCarthy said. "He runs angry. He pass protects with a lot of urgency; he sticks his nose in there.''
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