It feels like we've seen this movie before.
As the lights shone bright in front of the national audience, the Raiders came out hot and showed glimpses of what they could be as a team.
And then fatigue set in, momentum dwindled down and a lack of energy became visible.
The Silver and Black fell to 2-8 after losing to the Dallas Cowboys, 33-16. In a contest that was competitive in the first quarter, Dallas ultimately captured the lead, and the momentum, and never looked back.
The Raiders defense was lights out to start the game, forcing a three-and-out on the first drive that ended with a near interception by Eric Stokes.
With a 43-yard punt from AJ Cole that pinned the Cowboys at their own 4-yard line, the defense continued to do damage. Maxx Crosby got home on Dak Prescott, lurking around the edge for a strip sack. Rookie Tonka Hemingway secured the fumble recovery which put the Raiders in the red zone.
However, for a Raiders offense that had the fifth-lowest red-zone percentage (47.8) heading into Monday Night Football, they couldn't capitalize with a touchdown. Following an incomplete pass to Tre Tucker on third-and-12, they settled for a 35-yard field goal from Daniel Carlson to take a 3-0 lead.
The Cowboys offense picked up the pace, putting Brandon Aubrey in place to knock through a 50-yard field goal to tie the game. Despite another successful drive for the Raiders offense, with Geno Smith going 4-of-5 for 52 yards, Cowboys edge rusher James Houston came away with a sack on third down to force Carlson to kick another field goal.
"I thought we moved the ball up and down the field," Smith said. "I thought we started out pretty good. … The only thing that I can say, obviously I haven't watched the film yet, but you've got to convert in the red zone. I don't know what our third down percentages were but I felt like we could've done better on third downs as well, keeping drives alive."
And that's when Prescott got things rolling with his two top receivers.
By the end of the first half, George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb combined for nine receptions and 156 receiving yards. The Cowboys quarterback found Lamb wide open for a 18-yard touchdown pass to give them their first lead of the game.
The Cowboys extended the lead, choosing to go for it on fourth down in the red zone. Prescott found tight end Jake Ferguson open for five-yard touchdown pass, making it a 17-6 ballgame.
An all too familiar occurrence happened as the Raiders tried marching down the field to make it a one-possession game. Smith scanned downfield on a play action, throwing it to his All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers, who already had three catches for 51 yards up to that point in the game.
The pass was tipped up by linebacker Kenneth Murray, and Markquese Bell caught the ball as it floated in the air. Their offense responded with Pickens zig0zagging through the Raiders secondary for a 37-yard catch and run to the end zone.
Carlson made a 38-yard field goal before the end of the half to make it 24-9.
"I was really disappointed that we didn't stop them more," Pete Carroll said postgame. "There was a space in that game, three or four drives in a row, and we couldn't get off the field."
The Cowboys offense continued to ride the wave from the first half, churning out a 12-play, 80-yard drive to the end zone that was capped off with Prescott hitting Ryan Flournoy for the QB's fourth touchdown pass of the night.
The Raiders offense responded with their first touchdown of the night, albeit not coming until the beginning of the fourth quarter. Smith dinked and doinked on short gains down the field, with Tre Tucker, Michael Mayer and Bowers being the main beneficiaries.
A six-yard screen pass to Tucker landed the Raiders in the end zone for the receiver's fifth touchdown on the season.
If the Raiders had any shot of mounting a comeback, it would've been after forcing a three-and-out with a little under 12 minutes left in regulation. However, Tucker was tackled at the two-yard line on the punt return, resulting in Ashton Jeanty being tackled inside his own end zone for a safety.
This was the fifth time this season the Raiders defense allowed over 30 points. While the Cowboys offense was held to 4-of-10 on third down, Prescott finished with 268 yards, four touchdowns and a 138.6 passer rating.
"We're not good enough right now," Maxx Crosby blatantly stated after the loss. "There's a lot of issues and we got to find ways to get better. Find solutions instead of just doing the same thing expecting a different result. We've got to find ways to get better and it takes everybody."
The offense continued to struggle Monday night. They failed to get the run going with their first-round pick, as Jeanty finished with six carries for seven rushing yards. Smith was the team's leading rusher, with 14 yards on the ground.
"There's only one person to look at, it's me, because I was influencing the game plan," Carroll said of the offensive scheme. "I loved the way we were chunking them and we made big plays. I knew what was happening. Chip and I knew what was going on."
"I don't really care about pleasing people with our run-pass mix," Carroll added. "I'm trying to move the football."
Smith, lined up behind Will Putnam making his first career start at center, went 27-of-42 for 238 yards and was sacked four times.
While Bowers was the bright spot of the unit with seven catches for 72 yards, the Raiders offense went 3-of-12 on third down and failed to reach 250 offensive yards for a fifth time this season.
And even Bowers admitted his second season feels like a cruel sequel to his rookie year, as the team holds the same record now as they did through 10 games into the 2024 season.
"It's definitely tough going through back to back years of kind of – not the same thing, but similar records," Bowers said. "I don't know. Just got to keep your head down, keep working and keep trying to get better."
View photos from the Raiders' Week 11 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) and center Will Putnam (67) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) and defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) and defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) lines up to kick a 35-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders center Will Putnam (67) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamin Davis (48) and defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Ian Thomas (80) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Ian Thomas (80) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) kicks a 45-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) and linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) and long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders special teams during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) lines up before kicking a 38-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyler Lockett (17) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) and safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) and defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (15) on the sidelines during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders interim special teams coordinator Derius Swinton II on the sidelines during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) and tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) runs after making a 6-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) runs after making a 6-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) celebrates with teammates after making a 6-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) and defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium.
