The Dallas Cowboys returned from their bye in Week 11 and notched a convincing 33-16 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night.
The Cowboys' defense played one of its better games of the 2025 campaign and saw a major contribution from trade deadline acquisition Quinnen Williams, who tallied four tackles, 1.5 sacks and five quarterback hits in his debut.
On offense, wide receiver George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb responded to their first-series benching in a big way after the pair combined for 14 catches for 210 yards and two scores on a night where quarterback Dak Prescott was sharp.
With the win, the Cowboys move to 4-5-1 on the season and will now look to start stringing together wins with a Week 12 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Before that, let's take a look at how the win over the Raiders impacted the Cowboys' standing in the NFL power rankings of experts going into Week 12.
Cowboys Week 12 NFL power rankings
Vinnie Iyer, AllSportsPeople: 20 (+1)
Iyer: "The Cowboys had a difficult bye week emotionally but also acquired Quinnen Williams to help boost their front ahead of an inspired winning effort in Las Vegas."
Frank Schwab, Yahoo Sports: 21 (+1)
Schwab: "Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams made a big impact in his Cowboys debut, with 1.5 sacks and five quarterback hits. Dallas played what was likely their best defensive game of the season. The Cowboys paid a lot to get Williams, but they got a very good defensive lineman from the Jets."
Josh Kendall and Chad Graff, The Athletic: 20 (+1)
Kendall and Graff: "The Cowboys’ top two receivers did not play on the first series because of a coach’s decision. Dak Prescott then went out and threw for 268 yards and four touchdowns. Pickens had nine catches for 144 yards, and Lamb added five catches for 66 yards. Four different Dallas players caught touchdown passes."
NFL Nation, ESPN: 21 (no change)
Todd Archer: "Eberflus could essentially have a new defense in the second half of the season. The first nine games didn't go so well with the Cowboys 31st in yards (414.8) and points allowed per game (30.8). But at the trade deadline, they acquired All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and linebacker Logan Wilson. They also welcomed back linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and third-round cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. In Week 11. Starting safeties Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson returned, too. If the Cowboys can improve over the final eight games, then Eberflus' job security improves. If not, then the Cowboys could be looking for their fourth defensive coordinator in four years.
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: 22 (+1)
Davis: "It was doubtless a blessing that their emotional return to work occurred against the Raiders … because the next two weeks serve up last season's Super Bowl teams."
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