Dallas Cowboys Honor Marshawn Kneeland With Emotional 33–16 Win Over Raiders
The Dallas Cowboys returned to the field with heavy hearts on Monday night. In their first game since the tragic death of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, the team delivered a powerful and emotional performance, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 33–16.
The game wasn’t just about football — it was about honoring a teammate, a friend, and a brother.
| Team | 1st Qtr | 2nd Qtr | 3rd Qtr | 4th Qtr | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 7 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 33 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 16 |
A Game Played With Grief and Heart
Marshawn Kneeland passed away on November 6 after what authorities said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His death shocked the Cowboys organization and the entire NFL community.
Throughout the week, players met with grief counselors, held a candlelight vigil, and shared stories about Kneeland. By the time they stepped onto the field in Las Vegas, their mission was clear:
Play for Marshawn. Win for Marshawn. Honor Marshawn.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer wore a shirt with Kneeland’s image on it, saying:
“I know Marshawn was looking down on us. We wanted to make him proud.”
Before kickoff, the Cowboys and Raiders held a moment of silence. Players wore helmet decals with Kneeland’s number 94, and his jersey hung in the locker room and on the sideline.
Dak Prescott Comes Alive With Four Touchdowns
After back-to-back rough games, quarterback Dak Prescott needed a bounce-back moment — and he delivered in a big way.
Prescott’s final stats:
- 4 passing touchdowns
- No interceptions
- A dominant performance after a difficult week
Each touchdown went to a different player:
- CeeDee Lamb
- George Pickens
- Ryan Flournoy
- Jake Ferguson
Prescott wrote “One Love” on his wrist tape — one of Kneeland’s favorite sayings.
He said after the game:
“We will shine a light on Marshawn all season. This win was for him.”
George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb Lead the Offense
The Cowboys’ passing attack exploded once the starters took the field after an unexpected benching in the first drive.
George Pickens:
- 9 receptions
- 144 yards
- 1 touchdown
- 77 yards after the catch
Pickens sliced through the Raiders’ defense all night, showing elite strength and speed.
CeeDee Lamb:
- 4 catches
- 61 yards
- 1 touchdown
The Dallas Cowboys scored on five straight drives once Pickens and Lamb returned to the field. The offense looked fast, confident, and explosive — something fans have been waiting to see.
Dallas Cowboys Defense Delivers Best Game of the Season
The Dallas Cowboys defense, which has faced criticism this year, played one of its strongest games:
Defensive highlights:
- Allowed only 16 points
- Gave up just 236 total yards
- Pressured Geno Smith on 16 of 49 dropbacks
- Recorded multiple sacks
Standout performances:
- DaRon Bland — 10 tackles, 2 pass breakups, major bounce-back game
- Quinnen Williams — 5 QB pressures, 1.5 sacks
- Entire defensive line — dominated the trenches
The defense played with passion, intensity, and focus — exactly how Kneeland competed.
Raiders Struggle With Injuries and Offensive Line Issues
The Raiders’ night was tough from start to finish.
Injuries forced Las Vegas to reshuffle their offensive line, and the Cowboys took full advantage.
Problems for the Raiders:
- Geno Smith constantly under pressure
- Rookie RB Ashton Jeanty had nowhere to run
- Multiple failed drives
- Poor tackling on defense
- Momentum never found
The Raiders dropped to 2-8, and their offensive struggles continued to pile up.
A Touching Tribute From Both Teams
The Dallas Cowboys weren’t the only ones honoring Kneeland.
The Raiders wore pregame shirts reading:
“Call an Audible — 988”
— supporting mental health awareness and the suicide crisis hotline.
Fans brought signs.
Players hugged.
Both teams showed respect.
It was a powerful reminder that football is family — and grief is shared across rival lines.
A Win for Marshawn Kneeland — and a Turning Point?
The Dallas Cowboys improved to 4-5-1, keeping their season alive.
More importantly, the game became a moment of healing.
Ryan Flournoy — one of Kneeland’s closest friends — scored a touchdown and pointed to the sky.
He said:
“He’s gone, but he’s not gone. He’s still with us.”
This win wasn’t just a win.
It was a tribute.
A message.
A moment of unity.
And a reminder that the Dallas Cowboys will play the rest of 2025 with Marshawn Kneeland’s spirit in their hearts.
Summary
- Cowboys beat Raiders 33–16
- First game since Marshawn Kneeland’s death
- Emotional tributes throughout the night
- Dak Prescott threw 4 TDs
- Pickens and Lamb dominated
- Defense played its best game of the year
- Cowboys move to 4–5–1