The Silver & Black heading onto the field at O.co Coliseum Monday night. Photo: Tony Gonzales

It was the moment we were all waiting for, Raiders fans! Very lackluster, but a moment no less.

I’m not going to pretend and write like I watched this entire game, because unfortunately I didn’t (I was actually in a hotel that didn’t get the required TSN2 channel that I needed here in Ontario to tune-in). Trust me, I was fuming. I was able to head on down to the restaurant attached to the hotel where they were showing the game, but only caught the end of the first quarter and pieces of the second. Without going into detail, it was a busy weekend for me.

Based on the highlights that I have watched, which can be found here for anyone who has not been able to find them (yes, it’s a Cowboys blog, but ignore the content and just watch the video like I did), I was extremely impressed with the team as a whole, even in such low-scoring, offensively challenged game. Minimal penalties throughout and what looked to be a in-tact run defense – I think it is safe to say Raider Nation was happy to see both.

No, we didn’t score a single point – I believe the best chance we had all night was Jano’s short FG attempt towards the end of the second quarter, that was kicked out of the dirt and held by rookie P Marquette King (two things that could probably make any Pro Bowl kicker shudder). It looked as though all of the reps King has had throughout training camp so far have paid off though, as he looked very solid. It isn’t likely that King will stay in Oakland, in my opinion anyway, but at least with the practice he’s had and the great tape from the first preseason game, he will probably be considered and even signed elsewhere. It is merely a thought, but I would be pleasantly surprised if McZ found a way to keep this kid on the roster. With veteran P Shane Lechler currently being on the NFI list with a knee injury, you never know – we may need a punter sooner in the future than later.

These are some other honourable mentions, kindly provided by the team’s official website, which include Tommy Kelly sacking Cowboys starting QB Tony Romo in the first quarter for a 12-yard loss. Is it just me, or is Kelly looking quite svelte nowadays? It looks as though he’s lost a lot of weight; he appeared faster and feistier than normal. Hey, I’m okay with it! Even if the play only lasted a few seconds, it was the Tommy Kelly I know and love again – I hope that this continues into the regular season.

Also, a name that should be highlighted on this list is SS Mike Mitchell. A lot of fans gave up on this guy before training camp even started, but his performance in Napa Valley has been noteworthy so far and his INT in Monday night’s game was one to remember. He read that play just right and capitalized.

This brief overview of the game would not be complete if I didn’t mention the huge hit MLB Rolando McClain laid on Cowboys star TE Jason Witten:

With that, Witten left the game immediately. It was reported earlier today that Witten suffers from a lacerated spleen and will be out for at least the rest of the preseason, with his regular season start also in jeopardy. Sure, the hit got Raiders fans fired up, all of us looking at McClain for some real production this year. As much as I don’t like to see players on any team injured, I wouldn’t mind if McClain packed and brought this kind of heat every week in the 2012 season (too soon?!)

The only negative thing that I can think of to mention in this “recap” are the dropped passes; the receivers definitely struggled. Ford in particular looked a little out of his element. I’d rather these footballs be dropped in preseason rather than the regular season, but it will be something I’ll have my eye on going forward. And even though we couldn’t generate hardly any offense, RB Darren McFadden was a sight for sore eyes in the minimal downs he played in the first quarter. Looked explosive and on point as always, even making me say a little prayer in my head while he was on the field.

Scratches in this game included:

• DT Richard Seymour (knee)
• P Shane Lechler (knee)
• WRs Duke Calhoun (knee), Eddie McGee (hamstring) and Denarius Moore (hamstring)
• RBs Taiwan Jones (hamstring) and Mike Goodson (neck)
• LBs Mario Kurn (knee) and Aaron Curry (knees)
• OT Zach Hurd (head)
• TE Brandon Myers (shoulder)

Here are some links to recaps that you should probably instead of mine this week, especially if you’re looking for more detail:

• Gutierrez’s Instant Replay: Cowboys 3, Raiders 0 – CSN Bay Area
• Oakland Raiders lose 3-0 to Dallas Cowboys in exhibition opener — Contra Costa Times
• Cowboys vs. Raiders Review: Ugly Offensive Display – Chris Hansen, Bleacher Report
• Raiders Fall to Cowboys 3-0 — Raiders.com

Next up: Oakland meets with the Cardinals down in Arizona this Friday night, 10pm EST/7pm PST.