Trey Lance’s future as a Dallas Cowboy seemed uncertain leading up to the preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Lance’s previous performances in practice and the preseason opener had raised doubts about his abilities. A poor showing in Vegas could have put him in a difficult position with limited time to prove himself. However, Lance’s potential was on display in the Cowboys’ 27-12 victory over the Raiders.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy praised Lance’s performance, particularly his two impressive 14-play drives. This showcased Lance’s understanding of the game and his confidence. McCarthy emphasized that Lance needs more playing time and live game experience, especially in the drop-back phase. He acknowledged that Lance took a step forward in the game.
One area where Lance has faced criticism is his ability to work through his reads after the snap. Sometimes, he goes through his progressions too quickly, causing him to miss primary reads. Other times, he takes too long, allowing defenders to recover. Against the Raiders, Lance showed improvement in this area as the game progressed. His decisions to run were more calculated, and he spread the ball around, targeting 14 different players. His touchdown pass to rookie Ryan Flournoy demonstrated his improved accuracy and touch.
Lance’s first touchdown drive of the game showcased his growth and comfort on the field. The Cowboys’ successful runs in the drive settled Lance and made him more at ease. He made crucial plays with both his arm and his legs, ultimately ending the drive with a touchdown pass to Flournoy.
Accuracy has been another area of concern for Lance. In the previous game against the Rams, he frequently overthrew his receivers. While his accuracy issues weren’t completely resolved against the Raiders, he did deliver passes that allowed receivers to gain yards after the catch. More than half of Lance’s passing yardage came from receivers’ ability to make plays with the ball in their hands. He still needs to improve his downfield passing, but overall, his passing game showed improvement.
Lance is under scrutiny as a third-string quarterback, carrying the weight of the 49ers’ investment in him as the third overall pick in the 2021 draft. The Cowboys’ acquisition of him also came at a decent price, considering his potential and subsequent quarterback trades in the league. Lance can’t control these perceptions or the pressure that comes with them. He is currently graded based on his potential to be a starting quarterback, but his next step is to be active as the QB2 on game day, should he continue to progress.
Preseason games hold varying significance for different players. For some, they are just small steps toward the regular season. For others, these games are personal Super Bowls. Lance didn’t need to dazzle against the Raiders; he just needed to do enough to buy time until the next preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers. He accomplished this, giving himself another opportunity to prove his worth.
In conclusion, Trey Lance’s performance against the Raiders showed signs of improvement in key areas such as reading defenses and accuracy. While there is still room for growth, Lance’s potential and flashes of brilliance keep the Cowboys intrigued. As the preseason nears its end, Lance will have another chance to make a statement in the upcoming game against the Chargers.