Cowboys vs. Raiders: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

The Oakland Raiders open their set of preseason games on Friday night, as they host the Dallas Cowboys at O.co Coliseum.

Oakland failed to make the postseason for the 10th straight year in 2012 but will enter this season with a new quarterback under center. Carson Palmer failed to get the job done for the Raiders, and Matt Flynn will now get a shot at accomplishing what seems to be the impossible in recent years.

Dallas will be taking the field for the second time in just a few days after a four-point victory over the Dolphins at the annual Hall of Fame Game. In that preseason matchup, Dallas entered the final quarter with a two-touchdown lead and escaped with a win despite allowing 17 points in the fourth.

The preseason is about to start heating up, and this is one matchup that you can’t afford to miss. That said, here is all of the information you need for Friday night’s matchup between the Raiders and the Cowboys, including how to tune in to the game, the players to watch and a prediction for how the exhibition will play out.

Where: O.co Coliseum, Oakland, Calif.

When: Friday, August 9 at 10 p.m. ET

TV Info: NFL Network

Live Stream: NFL Preseason Live

Betting Line: Dallas -2 (via Bovada)

Cowboys Injuries (via ESPN.com)

Out: Nate Livings (knee)

Questionable: Terrance Williams (head)

Probable: Matt Johnson (ankle), Morris Claiborne (knee), Ben Bass (knee)

Raiders Injuries (via ESPN.com)

Questionable: Jacoby Ford (knee)

Probable: Latavius Murray (foot)

Cowboys Player to Watch: Tony Romo, Quarterback

Tony Romo was restricted to listening to play calls from the sidelines in Dallas’ preseason opener against Miami, as he continued to recover from offseason back surgery. He’s expected to play in a series or two on Friday night against the Raiders and is excited to finally get under center, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.

Romo was his usual self this past season, throwing for a bunch of yards (4,903), several touchdowns (28) and many interceptions (19). He may have finished the year with the third-most yards in the NFL, but he also was tied for the league lead in picks with Drew Brees. He has to be smarter with his throws this season.

The only way the Cowboys are going to make the playoffs this season is if Romo gets his act together. Having one of the top completion percentages in the league will help, but he truly needs to limit his interceptions entering 2013. One pick could be the difference between winning and losing and making or missing the playoffs.

Raiders Player to Watch: Matt Flynn, Quarterback

Can Matt Flynn handle the starting duties for the Raiders this season? That’s one of the biggest storylines for Oakland, as the team acquired him hoping that he can turn the franchise around. He doesn’t have a lot of experience though, considering he’s been a backup for basically his entire career.

Flynn played behind Aaron Rodgers for a few seasons before signing with the Seahawks for the 2012 campaign. He lost the quarterback competition to Russell Wilson, and, from there, his services weren’t really required any longer—and that’s why Seattle shipped him off to the Raiders.

The former LSU Tiger doesn’t have a bunch of good receiving options and will need to make the most of what he has. Throughout Flynn’s career, he’s completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,083 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions. It should be intriguing to see how he does in his debut with the Raiders.

Game Preview

On Friday night, expect to see both teams work on their ground game. Dallas and Oakland were each in the bottom quarter in the league in rushing yards per game a year ago, according to ESPN. It’s obvious that DeMarco Murray and Darren McFadden will have huge roles this year, but how big of an impact will each have?

Romo and Flynn will likely each see a few series just to get acclimated with the projected starters. Each will complete a couple of passes but nothing too flashy. Neither will throw for a touchdown, but the Cowboys will get on the board when Romo is on the field—a rushing touchdown from Joe Randle.

The Raiders will score a pair of touchdowns on the Cowboys defense, but it will be the backups doing most of the damage. In the end, Dallas will come away with its second victory of the preseason while Oakland comes up a few points shy of a win. Expect this one to be close but in favor of the franchise from Texas.

Prediction: Cowboys 21, Raiders 17