TL;DR
- Quinnen Williams debuted for the Cowboys, making a key tackle early in the game.
- Owner Jerry Jones was visibly delighted watching Williams play and succeed.
- Williams' performance, including his first sack, exceeded his previous season stats with the Jets.
- The Cowboys' defense was dominant, limiting the Raiders' offense throughout the game.
The Cowboys' defense finally gave owner Jerry Jones something to smile about Monday night.
Quinnen Williams made his much-awaited first appearance two weeks after the trade from New York Jets. Early in the second quarter, he penetrated the Raiders' defensive line and tackled Geno Smith for a loss of eight yards.
The sequence that followed became instant social media gold for the NFL community.
Jerry Jones beamed as Williams spoke
The Cowboys had a bye week following the Williams trade, which only fueled more speculation about his first game with the team. This anticipation became a reality when he played, ensuring the franchise owner was satisfied.
Following Smith's defeat, Williams performed a basic celebratory dance. It wasn't ostentatious, merely amusing enough to draw all eyes. However, the true highlight originated from the owner's box.
Jerry Jones was spotted by ESPN cameras with a grin, holding what appeared to be a magazine and looking as delighted as a child on Christmas morning.
Quinnen Williams gets his first sack as a Cowboy 💪
— NFL (@NFL) November 18, 2025
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After months of criticism for shipping Micah Parsons to Green Bay, the 83-year-old owner finally had his validation moment. Williams’ sack was just his second of the 2025 season and his first since Week 1 with the Jets in September.
The former All-Pro racked up 1.5 sacks and four quarterback hits by halftime alone. This single game production already surpassed everything he'd done with the Jets this season.
The Cowboys' defensive front was dominant throughout the game, a scenario Dallas fans had eagerly anticipated for weeks, limiting Raiders rookie Ashton Jeanty to a mere seven yards on six rushes and consistently applying pressure from the line of scrimmage.
Prior to the trade of Williams, Jones had endured considerable criticism from supporters and analysts, as the team had been delaying making an urgent mov e. While the situation unfolded unfavorably, the organization did acquire its essential defensive player.
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