Lead
On Nov. 18, 2025 at Allegiant Stadium, the Dallas Cowboys beat the Las Vegas Raiders 33-16 in a game that served as both a competitive victory and a tribute to defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who died on Nov. 6. The team held memorials and grief-counseling sessions during the bye week and displayed visible remembrances — T-shirts, a helmet decal with No. 94 and a hung jersey in the locker room — as players and coaches said they played for Kneeland. Dak Prescott threw four touchdown passes and the Cowboys’ defense limited the Raiders to 236 yards and one touchdown, a performance teammates tied directly to their desire to honor Kneeland. Coaches and players described the night as emotional but focused, and the club plans to continue wearing Kneeland tribute shirts into the next week.
Key Takeaways
- The Cowboys beat the Raiders 33-16 on Nov. 18, 2025 at Allegiant Stadium, with Dak Prescott throwing four touchdown passes.
- Dallas’ defense allowed 236 yards and one touchdown while pressuring Geno Smith on 16 of 49 dropbacks; Smith was sacked four times and hit 18 times.
- Marshawn Kneeland, a Cowboys defensive end, died Nov. 6 from what authorities described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a brief police chase; the team held a candlelight vigil and grief counseling during the bye week.
- Visible tributes included T-shirts with Kneeland’s likeness, a blue No. 94 helmet decal, a hung game jersey behind the defensive bench and staff wearing replica No. 94 jerseys.
- The Raiders wore warmup shirts reading “Call an Audible” with “988” on the back to promote the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
- Ryan Flournoy, a longtime friend of Kneeland, scored a touchdown and said the team will carry Kneeland’s legacy throughout the season.
- Defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton and multiple players publicly acknowledged emotional difficulty during the week but emphasized channeling grief into performance.
Background
Marshawn Kneeland, who wore No. 94 for the Cowboys, died on Nov. 6, 2025. Authorities reported his death as a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a brief police pursuit; public accounts of the incident remain limited to official statements. The Cowboys used their bye week to organize grief counseling for the roster and staff, held a candlelight vigil and discussed ways to honor Kneeland during games and practices.
Memorials in professional sports frequently mix ritual and performance as teams try to reconcile loss with the competitive calendar. For the Cowboys, whose defensive identity is linked to players like Kneeland, visible tributes — decals, shirts and taped messages — are intended to preserve a teammate’s presence while allowing the squad to continue its season. The NFL and its clubs have increasingly turned to on-site counselors and league resources in recent years when dealing with player deaths and mental-health crises.
Main Event
The Nov. 18 game unfolded as a focused, emotionally charged performance for Dallas. After returning to practice on Thursday following the bye week, players described a business-like atmosphere; music and routine drills were part of an effort to regain normalcy. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer drew attention to the T-shirt he wore after the win and said the staff and players wanted to make Kneeland proud, a comment he delivered visibly moved.
On the field, Dak Prescott connected for four touchdown passes, targeting CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy and Jake Ferguson. Flournoy, a close friend of Kneeland, scored and briefly looked skyward afterward; he later said the team will play for Kneeland all season. The defense posted one of its stronger outings, limiting yardage and generating consistent pressure on Raiders quarterback Geno Smith.
Statistically, the Dallas front seven disrupted the Raiders’ passing game, applying pressure on 16 of 49 dropbacks, producing four sacks and 18 hits. Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa described the effort as channeling pain into performance, saying teammates learned to compartmentalize grief and use it constructively on the field. The club also staged pregame acknowledgments — a moment of silence, signs from fans and other visual tributes — that kept the focus on Kneeland throughout the night.
Analysis & Implications
The Cowboys’ choice to convert grief into a unifying competitive narrative can have mixed consequences. In the short term, ritual and focused preparation often sharpen group cohesion and performance, as seen in Dallas’ defensive showing and Prescott’s efficient night. Memorials can reinforce locker-room bonds and signal to families and communities that the organization recognizes the player’s life and influence.
Longer term, sustained attention to a team tragedy requires follow-through: ongoing counseling, clear communication with Kneeland’s family and careful handling of media narratives. Wearing tribute shirts and decals is symbolic; meaningful support includes mental-health resources for teammates who may be struggling with trauma. The Raiders’ decision to spotlight 988 points to a broader league conversation about suicide prevention and crisis response within and beyond sports.
From a football perspective, the performance suggests the Cowboys can absorb emotional shocks without an immediate drop in on-field output, at least against the Raiders. However, emotional mobilization is not a substitute for depth and scheme; coaches must manage workloads and guard against emotional exhaustion over a long season. Opponents and league observers will watch whether Dallas sustains this intensity, especially with a high-profile meeting looming against the Philadelphia Eagles next week.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Cowboys vs Raiders (Nov. 18) |
|---|---|
| Final score | 33-16 |
| Yards allowed | 236 |
| QB pressures on Geno Smith | 16 of 49 dropbacks |
| Sacks/Hits | 4 sacks, 18 hits |
| Dak Prescott TD passes | 4 |
The table highlights game-level defensive dominance and Dallas’ offensive efficiency in the matchup. Limiting an opponent to 236 yards and a single touchdown is a near-elite performance in the modern NFL; the pass-rush figures show consistent disruption rather than isolated breaks. Those numbers help explain the margin of victory and why players connected the outcome to their tribute efforts.
Reactions & Quotes
“I know Marshawn was looking down on us, and we wanted to make him proud.”
Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys head coach
Schottenheimer spoke with visible emotion after the game, pointing to the tribute T-shirt as he left the field and crediting the team’s mindset for a disciplined performance.
“We’re going to continue to move forward, shining a light on Marshawn and carrying his legacy.”
Dak Prescott, quarterback
Prescott described wearing “One love” on his wrist tape and emphasized that the team’s play would be an ongoing tribute rather than a one-night statement.
“He’s gone, but he’s not gone. He’s still with us.”
Ryan Flournoy, wide receiver
Flournoy, a close friend of Kneeland, framed his touchdown and the team’s broader effort as acts of remembrance that will persist through the season.
Unconfirmed
- Full details and motive surrounding the Nov. 6 police pursuit and Kneeland’s death remain limited beyond the official description; investigative specifics have not been publicly released.
- Whether the Cowboys will extend tribute shirt use beyond the next game against the Philadelphia Eagles has been announced for one more week but longer-term plans were not detailed publicly.
- Any private discussions between team members and family representatives about public memorials or charitable initiatives related to Kneeland have not been disclosed.
Bottom Line
The Nov. 18 win at Allegiant Stadium was both a competitive victory and a public act of remembrance for the Cowboys. On-field execution — a stout defensive showing and four touchdown passes from Dak Prescott — matched the team’s intent to honor Marshawn Kneeland, and players and coaches repeatedly linked the performance to his memory.
Looking ahead, the club faces the dual tasks of sustaining competitive intensity and providing sustained emotional and professional support for players and staff. How the Cowboys balance memorialization with ongoing mental-health care, and whether the emotional momentum translates into consistent performance, will shape the team’s narrative through the rest of the season.
Sources
- ESPN report — (sports journalism)
- Dallas Cowboys official site — (team/official communications)
- Las Vegas Raiders official site — (team/official communications)
- 988 Lifeline — (national suicide & crisis resource)