The Raiders suffered a 3-0 preseason loss to Dallas on Monday night in new coach Dennis Allen’s debut, but they had at least three big reasons to smile.

Reason No. 1: RB Darren McFadden started where he left off last year when he suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury to his right foot in Week 7 against Kansas City. He touched the ball on Oakland’s first three plays from scrimmage, hitting right end for four yards, catching a screen pass for 18, then busting up the middle for 16 yards. After the first series, McFadden came out of the game.

“We got him a couple of touches early, and he was able to make some explosive gains, and that’s what we anticipate out of him,” Allen said. “We got accomplished what we wanted to get accomplished with him in the game, which was get him a few touches early, let him get bounced around a little bit and see what he can do, and then get him out of the game and get ready for next week.”

Reason No. 2: Allen and new defensive coordinator Jason Tarver unveiled an aggressive, multiple scheme that kept the Cowboys off balance most of the night and held them to 54 rushing yards on 20 carries. The Raiders blitzed on two of Dallas’ first four plays from scrimmage.

“They were attacking, they were aggressive, and that’s what we’re going to be,” Allen said of his defense. “I thought J.T. did a nice job of calling the game. I thought in the second half there we got a little tired and worn out a little bit, let them run the ball a little bit too much on us, so we have to get that shored up.”

Reason No. 3: The Raiders set NFL records for total penalties and penalty yards last season, but they were flagged just five times for 37 yards against Dallas. The Cowboys were penalized 12 times for 91 yards.

“For the most part, the penalties were pretty clean,” Allen said. “Obviously, there’s a few things that we’ve got to get corrected.”

Streater makes another statement: WR Rod Streater, an undrafted rookie from Temple, has been a minicamp and training camp star, and he continued to shine under the bright lights of Monday Night Football. Streater caught six passes for 66 yards, leading the Raiders in both categories.

“It was good,” Steater said. “It was very fast. I just had to stay calm and remember it was just football and go out there and play hard and continue to do the things I’m used to doing in practice. 

“It means a lot" Streeter said. "That’s the big thing to make plays under the lights. I just wanted to go out there and perform and show these coaches that I can play.”

One he wants back: Starting QB Carson Palmer went 3 for 6 for 33 yards and an INT that killed a promising first drive. Palmer tried to hit WR Jacoby Ford deep down the left sideline, but Cowboys S Gerald Sensabaugh intercepted.

“We had some momentum going on that first drive and just wanted to get a shot downfield,” Palmer said. “Part of that’s what the preseason’s for, to see when you have those opportunities to take them. Obviously, now I’d take it back. The safety ended up making a great play on it. We’ll continue to work and continue to figure out what’s best for our guys individually and when to take those shots, just continue to work.”

Backup QB Matt Leinart replaced Palmer early in the first quarter and went 11 for 16 for 98 yards in his Raiders debut.

“I thought he ran the offense well,” Allen said. “I thought he executed. I thought he threw the ball well, took what the defense gave him. He took command of the huddle and commanded the offense, so I was pleased with where he was at.”

Ups and downs for Pryor: No. 3 QB Terrelle Pryor didn’t take a snap in the preseason last year and was in for only one regular-season play, which was nullified by his false start. Monday night, Pryor played the final 7:53 of the third quarter and all of the fourth. He was 8 of 15 for 50 yards and an INT and had six carries for 21 yards and was sacked two times.

“I’m angry at myself,” Pryor said. “I don’t think I played well. I thought Matt (Leinart) played great, I thought Carson played great, I thought everybody else on the team played great. … So I’m mad about that, about how I played today. I’m angry, and I’m going to come back stronger next week, Thursday.”

Burris’ starting debut: Rookie Miles Burris started at weak-side LB in place of the injured Aaron Curry (knees) and played the entire first half. He had three tackles, including two unassisted.

“I was a little bit nervous just because it was the first game,” Burris said. “That’s normal, similar to my first college game. We play with a pretty good speed in practice, so the speed didn’t feel too different to me when I was out there.

“We do a real good job of practicing and staying crisp," Burris said. "Obviously, the coaches have done a really good job of coaching us up on the defense, so I felt pretty sharp out there, considering it was my first game. Got my feet wet and felt pretty good.” 

Extra points: Starting C Stefen Wisniewski left the game with a calf injury. … TE Richard Gordon started in place of the injured Brandon Myers (shoulder), despite being ill, but left the game early. … Fourth-string RB Lonyae Miller carried 15 times for 39 yards. He had a heavy workload because RBs Taiwan Jones and Mike Goodson were out with injuries. “I still have work to do,” Miller said. … DT Richard Seymour (knee) missed the game. … DTs Tommy Kelly and Dominique Hamilton each had one of the Raiders' two sacks. … Ford had a tough night. He dropped two passes on one series and had little success returning punts or kickoffs.

Follow Raiders reporter Eric Gilmore on Twitter: @CBSSportsNFLOAK.