Cowboys Vs. Raiders: Points Few And Far Between On MNF

Terrelle Pryor: 'I Played Like Dog Crap'

There are many ways Oakland Raiders fans would describe Monday night's play of their team and third-string quarterback Terrelle Pryor -- none of them are good -- but probably the best description of the performance during the 3-0 loss to the Dallas Cowboys came from the man himself.

"I'm angry at myself," Pryor said. "I thought everybody else on the team played great. I just think I played like dog crap. So I'm mad about that, about how I played. ... I will be better on Friday."

Pryor, who saw action in the fourth quarter and finished 8-for-15 with 50-passing yards, was playing for the first time in almost two seasons. Teammate Matt Lienhart said the Ohio State alum was being a bit harsh on himself.

"He has to realize that it's not going to happen overnight," No. 2 quarterback Matt Leinart said. "He can make plays, and he's working hard."

Cowboys Vs. Raiders: Oakland Lost, But Defensive Line Showed Promise

The Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys played what's being described as a pretty uneventful Monday Night Football game -- even by preseason standards -- as Dallas picked up the 3-0 victory in its first game of the exhibition season. That doesn't necessarily mean that the diehard Raiders fans were disappointed in what they saw on national television, though.

In fact, Oakland's contingency over at Silver And Black Pride found multiple bright spots despite their team getting shut out in the exhibition affair including a solid showing for their starting defensive line.

After that botched first drive, the Raiders' defensive line really showed up. They harassed Tony Romo, sacked him once, and stuffed the Cowboys running attack throughout the first quarter. They finished that first quarter with just three yards rushing with two completions by Romo for a total of 22 yards.

Defensive line play wasn't the only bright spot, though, as Levi Damien was also impressed by the second team's offensive chemistry -- particularly when it came to Matt Leinart getting the football to undrafted free agent Rod Streater as they connected for six passes and 66 yards while the starters were on the bench.

Streater came in with the second team and he and Leinart were hooking up like they had been old college buddies or something. But those two couldn't have come from more opposing college offenses. Leinart won the Heisman Trophy and took the Trojans to the National Championship on his arm. While Streater comes from a conservative, run-first offense at Temple. It makes it all the more interesting then for the QB from the high-powered USC attack and Streater who spent most of his time in college running decoy routes and blocking. None of that matters now.

Not all of the reaction from Silver And Black Pride was as good as that mentioned above (particularly when it came to special teams play), but it seems Raiders fans aren't especially upset about the 3-0 loss suffered on Monday night.

For the latest on the Dallas Cowboys, be sure to check out Blogging the Boys and SB Nation Dallas. For all things Oakland Raiders, check out Silver & Black Pride, as well asSB Nation Bay Area.

'Scintillating (Not Really)': Cowboys Blog Reacts To 3-0 Preseason Opener

Fans of offense might have nightmares about Monday Night Football's preseason opener, a 3-0 thriller, I suppose you could call it, of a game between the Oakland Raiders and the Dallas Cowboys. KD Drummond, writer for SB Nation's Cowboys blog Blogging the Boys, somehow managed to come up with more things to say about the game than there were points scored:

When your punter not shanking kicks to the sidelines is the silver lining of your first half; you know it was a tough contest to watch.

Obviously, Dallas fans have some concern over the fact that their offense only mustered three points over 60 minutes of football. But it's only preseason, something Cowboys fans have to realize:

With a vanilla gameplan on first-team defense and a mountain to overcome with a patchwork offensive line, not too much could be gleaned from what is probably the least foretelling game of anything you'll see before September.

Drummond was also not particularly impressed by the Cowboys' defense, despite the shutout, calling the first-team defensive line "a bit effortless", but on the plus side, they were playing against the Raiders, and mainly against their backups. Which is how you get a shutout.

However, the most important thing to take from the game? Probably this:

I have jokes, disappointments and frustration- but let's not sign off on the season due to the first preseason game, folks. #Perspective

— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) August 14, 2012

For more on the Cowboys, check out Blogging the Boys, obviously, and SBN Dallas.

The 11 Best Things About MNF Have Nothing To Do With The Game

Cowboys Vs. Raiders Final Score: Dallas Takes Exhibition Opener 3-0

The preseason opener between the Dallas Cowboys and the Oakland Raiders is in the books. Dallas came away with a 3-0 win at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Monday.

The only scoring of the game came from Dan Bailey's 33-yard field goal on Dallas' first drive of the third quarter.

The highlight? Probably the announcers losing their grip on sanity.

Carson Palmer and Tony Romo, as expected, didn't see too much action. Both completed three of six passes, with Romo throwing for 30 yards and Palmer 33.

After throwing an interception early, the Raiders replaced Palmer with Matt Leinart, who threw 11-for-17 for 98 yards. He was then replaced by Terrelle Pryor, who would finish with 50 yards on eight completions out of 15 attempts.

Dallas had one first down in 11 plays with Romo on the field. After he was taken out, Kyle Orton managed 87 yards on 7-for-12 passing and third-string Cowboys QB Stephen McGee threw 5-for-9 for 48 yards.

The Raiders' Darren McFadden carried the ball twice for 20 yards and had an 18-yard reception in the first quarter.

For the latest on the Dallas Cowboys, be sure to check out Blogging the Boys and SB Nation Dallas. For all things Oakland Raiders, check out Silver & Black Pride, as well as SB Nation Bay Area.

Pinhead Reveals His Rooting Interests

Raiders fans like to dress up. If you have a distinct enough costume in the famous "Black Hole," you can get to become a verified legend and quasi-celebrity in the East Bay. You could etch your name in the annals alongside such notable Raiders fans as Gorilla Rilla. Malkamania. Pirate Guy. Loud Drunken Fan. Smelly Joe. The list goes on.

"Pinhead" from Hellraiser seems like a pretty good costume. Distinctive. Iconic. And this guy obviously put a lot of love into the thing. But we think he may be divided in his rooting interests. Let's take a look.

Come on, Pinhead Raiders fan. Get your head in the game. The Raiders game. Wait, what's the score? 3-0 Cowboys in the fourth quarter? Oh.

Never mind. Go Cubs.

For the latest on the Dallas Cowboys, be sure to check out Blogging the Boys and SB Nation Dallas. For all things Oakland Raiders, check out Silver & Black Pride, as well as SB Nation Bay Area.

Cowboys Vs. Raiders Score Update: Dallas Storms to 3-0 Lead In 3rd Quarter

The Dallas Cowboys offense got the pep talk it needed at halftime, following up with close to seven minutes on a 72-yard halftime-opening drive that resulted in a 33-yard field goal from Dan Bailey. It gave them a 3-0 lead that is still standing at the end of the third quarter.

The Oakland Raiders didn't get the pep talk they needed at halftime and went four and out on the ensuing drive as Terrelle Pryor was put in at quarterback. Pryor handed the ball to Lonyae Miller for two plays and scrambled for a two-yard gain on the drive.

The score gave the Cowboys the confidence boost they needed. They put in Stephen McGee at quarterback, who promptly threw four straight passes from the shotgun formation and turned the ball over on downs.

Pryor finished the half with 18 yards off of two completions on four attempts. He also ran the ball a couple of times for negative yardage.

Both teams have looked rather listless on offense, which can be expected considering each team is throwing its third-string quarterback out on the field right now.

For the latest on the Dallas Cowboys, be sure to check out Blogging the Boys and SB Nation Dallas. For all things Oakland Raiders, check out Silver & Black Pride, as well as SB Nation Bay Area.

Raiders Fans: Always Classy

Seriously. They don't come any classier than this.

For the latest on the Dallas Cowboys, be sure to check out Blogging the Boys and SB Nation Dallas. For all things Oakland Raiders, check out Silver & Black Pride, as well as SB Nation Bay Area.

Cowboys Vs. Raiders Score Update: Offensively Challenged Game Remains 0-0 At Half

The Raiders and the Cowboys have a total of 15 first downs between the two teams, for a total of 269 yards. That is the well over the length of two football fields. Unfortunately, that hasn't translated to any points, as both teams remain deadlocked at 0-0 going into halftime.

Palmer was taken out after six passes and replaced by Matt Leinart, who has thrown a respectable 98 yards on 11-for-16 passing. He has fumbled the ball once, but the Cowboys weren't able to capitalize. Rod Streater has emerged as the favorite target, catching six receptions for 66 yards. Jacoby Ford had two early drops and remains without a catch.

The Raiders had a chance to get on the board but Sebastian Janikowski shanked a 47-yard field goal attempt.

Janikowski misses wide right on a 47-yard field-goal attempt that knuckles more than an R.A. Dickey pitch.

— Steve Corkran (@CorkOnTheNFL) August 14, 2012

While the Raiders offense has struggled, its defense has been absolutely punishing the Cowboys. They have limited the Cowboys to 61 total yards on 19 plays. The Cowboys have possessed the ball for less than 11 minutes.

For the latest on the Dallas Cowboys, be sure to check out Blogging the Boys and SB Nation Dallas. For all things Oakland Raiders, check out Silver & Black Pride, as well SB Nation Bay Area.

Raiders, Cowboys Cause Broadcasters To Lose Grip On Sanity

The Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders are playing their preseason opener on Monday night at the O.co Coliseum. After the first half, the teams are locked in a beyond-thrilling 0-0 tie. Jon Gruden and Mike Tirico are broadcasting the game for ESPN and are trapped in the announce booth with nowhere to go.

Ever wonder how long it takes for the clutches of preseason football madness to ensnare your mind? About 30 minutes, apparently.

DIDJA SEE IT, MIKEY? DAMN PTERODACTYL STOLE MY NACHOS

yeah i saw it boss i saw it ehehe hehehe hehehehe hehe

GRAB THE HARPOON GUN AND I'LL PUT TOGETHER THE HANG GLIDER WE'LL CATCH THAT THIEVING THUNDER LIZARD YET

you got it boss ehehehe ehee heeeeeee

i was once a man

For the latest on the Dallas Cowboys, be sure to check out Blogging the Boys and SB Nation Dallas. For all things Oakland Raiders, check out Silver & Black Pride, as well as SB Nation Bay Area.

Matt Leinart Is A Master Of Deception

Generally in football, a quarterback can fake a play by mimicking a handoff to a running back or fullback and instead keeping the ball, in an attempt to deceive the defense and to allow extra time for a passing play. That's how it's traditionally done, anyway.

Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Leinart? He's on some next-level play-fake stuff.

Who was he faking to? Certainly not the back; the back was on the other side of him. It's this kind of diabolical, groundbreaking thinking that makes Leinart so dangerous. What is he going to do next? Literally no one knows.

Congratulations, Matt Leinart, you modern-day football genius. I think somebody just earned a starting quarterback job.

For the latest on the Dallas Cowboys, be sure to check out Blogging the Boys and SB Nation Dallas. For all things Oakland Raiders, check out Silver & Black Pride, as well as SB Nation Bay Area.

The Prototypical Raiders Fan

The Oakland Raiders fanbase is a bit of a long-suffering lot. Let's take a look at one of the more typical Raiders fans, as spotted at Monday's preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys.

A short checklist, just to make sure all of the elements are present;

- At least two pieces of Raiders clothing

- Facepaint

- Not-necessarily-team-color facepaint

- Oakleys

- Shaking head in disbelief as a result of what happened on the field of play

- Visibly on the verge of tears about something the Raiders just did

- Quiver lip

I think this is an excellent baseline for Raiders fan visualization. We can refer to this gentleman as "Raiders Fan Zero." The contagion only spreads outward from here.

For the latest on the Dallas Cowboys, be sure to check out Blogging the Boys and SB Nation Dallas. For all things Oakland Raiders, check out Silver & Black Pride, as well as SB Nation Bay Area.

The Highs And Lows Of Raiders Special Teams

What is it about not being able to down a punt just right. Over the weekend the NFL's replacement referees delivered one of the worst calls I remember seeing when they inexplicably ruled this play a touchback in the Redskins-Bills game. Seriously, check it out and see how they do that.

In Monday night's Cowboys-Raiders game, there was another touchback screw-up.

Related: Get pumped about punting, Raiders fans

Punter Marquette King had an excellent looking punt that slowly rolled toward the end zone with his teammates trailing it, which is about all you can ask out of your punter.

And teammate Chimdi Chekwa thanked him by totally screwing it up.

Touchback!

For the latest on the Dallas Cowboys, be sure to check out Blogging the Boys and SB Nation Dallas. For all things Oakland Raiders, check out Silver & Black Pride, as well asSB Nation Bay Area.

Get Pumped About Punting, Raiders Fans

Monday's preseason starter between the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys is already a heated 0-0 contest. The highlight for the Raiders in the first quarter was an exceptional punt by Marquette King that started a Cowboys drive at the half-yard line.

Raiders fans are definitely hoping that "the highlight of the first quarter was a punt" isn't something that will need to be written with great regularity over the course of the season. The Raiders may in fact end up being a very competitive team this year. But just on the off chance they're not -- you know, just in case -- it's probably a good idea to learn how to celebrate the little things. Like a great punt.

Here, let King show you how:

Mmmmmm, that's good puntin'!

For the latest on the Dallas Cowboys, be sure to check out Blogging the Boys and SB Nation Dallas. For all things Oakland Raiders, check out Silver & Black Pride, as well as SB Nation Bay Area.

Cowboys Vs. Raiders Score Update: Offensive-Line Woes Plague Cowboys As Offense Stalls In 1st Quarter

Carson Palmer threw an interception on the Raiders' first drive, yet the Cowboys failed to take advantage as a make-shift offensive line kept Tony Romo and his offense from gaining any momentum. Dez Bryant, who was a game-time decision with a hamstring injury, made a leaping grab along the sideline on the Cowboys' only big play of the quarter.

Raiders running back Darren McFadden showed some flash in the first few plays of the game, yet was quickly replaced by Lonyae Miller as the Raiders aim to keep their star back as healthy as possible. The Cowboys' defense was able to get a few stops, but several penalties on fourth down gave the ball back to Oakland on two separate occasions on one drive.

With the Cowboys missing several starting offensive lineman, notably center Phil Costa, Romo was sent scrambling on multiple plays before being tossed to the ground. He finished the quarter 2-for-4 for just 22 yards.

Both teams remain scoreless after one quarter.

For the latest on the Dallas Cowboys, be sure to check out Blogging the Boys and SB Nation Dallas. For all things Oakland Raiders, check out Silver & Black Pride, as well as SB Nation Bay Area.

Jon Gruden Hugs A Monkey-Man

Monday's preseason game between the Oakland Raiders and the Dallas Cowboys is taking place at O.co Coliseum, which means one thing: RAIDERS FANS!

Before the game even got started, the most Raiders thing possible happened. Jon Gruden — beloved in Oakland and returning to the city for the first time in about a decade — was greeted enthusiastically by the denizens of the "Black Hole" in the end zone. So of course this happened:

If you're not familiar with the Oakland Raiders and their fan base, no, you're not having hallucinations brought about by football madness. This is a real thing that happened. If you need further explanation, let the picture below serve as Exhibit A of "Raiders fans."

For the latest on the Dallas Cowboys, be sure to check out Blogging the Boys and SB Nation Dallas. For all things Oakland Raiders, check out Silver & Black Pride, as well as SB Nation Bay Area.

Dez Bryant Injury Update: Dallas Cowboys Receiver Will Play A 'Few Snaps' Against Oakland Raiders

Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant will take part in a "few snaps" after going through on-field warmups before tonight's Monday Night Football game against the Oakland Raiders. according to the team. Bryant was reported to have been running routes and going through the warmups at full speed, with the team originally stating that he was a game-time decision following warmups.

Bryant tweaked his hamstring during Saturday's practice, although he did take full part in walkthroughs yesterday in Oxnard, CA before the team headed off to Oakland for tonight's game. With the Cowboys already wary about hamstring injuries after Miles Austin's injury history the past few years (and current status), the team was being understandably cautious when it comes to their star receiver.

The Cowboys will be missing six starters total, with Morris Claiborne (knee), Miles Austin (hamstring), Nate Livings (hamstring), Phil Costa (back), Jay Ratliff (foot), Jason Hatcher (groin) and Anthony Spencer (hamstring) all being held out of tonight's contest against the Raiders.

For the latest on the Dallas Cowboys, be sure to check out Blogging the Boys and SB Nation Dallas. For all things Oakland Raiders, check out Silver & Black Pride, as well as SB Nation Bay Area.

Cowboys Vs. Raiders: Miles Austin Out, Dez Bryant Questionable

Dallas Cowboys fans will have to wait at least another week before seeing the entire first-team offense on the field in 2012. Starting quarterback Tony Romo will be without at least one, if not both, of his starting wide receivers on Monday night, as Dez Bryant is questionable to play, and Miles Austin is out for Dallas' preseason opener against the Oakland Raiders.

Bryant, who suffered a mild hamstring strain, is considered a game-time decision. Bryant participated with the starters during Saturday's walkthrough practice and considered himself "fine," but Jason Garrett and the Cowboys might decide to err on the side of caution with their explosive wide receiver.

The Cowboys have already ruled out Austin, who suffered a hamstring strain on Aug. 5. Austin was plagued by hamstring injuries in 2011, and was limited to just 43 receptions in 10 games consequently.

Kevin Ogletree will start in Austin's place.

For the latest on the Dallas Cowboys, be sure to check out Blogging the Boys and SB Nation Dallas. For all things Oakland Raiders, check out Silver & Black Pride, as well as SB Nation Bay Area.

Cowboys Vs. Raiders: Game Time, TV Schedule, Odds And More

This season's Monday Night Football schedule begins with Carson Palmer and the Oakland Raiders hosting first-round pick Morris Claiborne and the Dallas Cowboys.