Don't expect to see a lot of offense on Thursday evening in Oakland when the Raiders and Dallas Cowboys kick off their preseason action at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Wade Phillips' team didn't exactly light up the scoreboard last preseason averaging 17.2 PPG. The Raiders on the other hand only averaged 12.5 PPG last August.
The Raiders will focus more on running the ball trying to control the clock utilizing Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. Last preseason the Raiders averaged 31.5 carries per game in August; make note the only game they decided to pass more than run they were shut out vs. Arizona. The Under cashed in three of four of these games.
Tonight we can expect them to run quite a bit especially since back up Jeff Garcia will not participate. Tom Cable said back up QBs Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye will receive significant playing time in Thursday's opener. That's not a good sign for the Raiders air attack.
On top of that they have the weakest receiver corps in the league; Javon Walker is out and Darrius Heyward-Bey has missed all of training due to a hamstring injury that has taken its toll since reports out of camp are he is becoming more known for his dropped passes. The media at camp has reported a poor week of practice for Bey.
Even with Cowboys starting CBs Terrence Newman and Michael Jenkins out, back-ups Orlando Scandrick, who was Cowboys rookie of the year last year, and rookie Deangelo Smith, who had 10 INT in his Jr. and Sr. seasons at Cincinnati, won't be tested much by the Raiders pass attack.
Once Romo is done for the night the Cowboys have veteran Jon Kitna and rookie Stephen McGee filling in; and neither is capable of a lot of damage. The Cowboys will put Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice to work.
Some interesting stats: The Under has cashed in seven of the last eight Cowboys preseason openers. In the last five years they've only averaged 12.8 PPG in their August debuts. Dating back to the last seven preseason meetings between the two, the total has averaged just 30.4 PPG, right around where we think it will come in tonight and cash an Under 34.5 ticket.
Free Pick: Cowboys-Raiders Under 34½ (-105)