Trey Lance, Brandon Aubrey Power Cowboys Over Raiders: Top 10 Whitty Observations

A battle that started with Dallas' backups vs. Las Vegas' starters essentially ended when cornerback Kemon Hall intercepted a pass and returned it 69 yards for a touchdown in the Cowboys' 27-12 win over the Raiders in a preseason game Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium.

10. BEST FEET FORWARD - In the first half we were reminded that the best part of these Cowboys are special teams - specifically kicker Brandon Aubrey and punter Bryan Anger. Aubrey drilled a 54-yard field goal to cap Dallas' first drive; Anger bombed a 54-yard punt on the second.

Then, just for grins, Aubrey - who became a father last week - nailed a 66-yarder on the final play of the first half that would've been good from 72 . If this was the regular season the kick would've been the longest in Cowboys' history (Brett Maher's 63-yarder holds the record) and would've tied Justin Tucker for longest ever in the NFL.

9. MOVE OVER, MAZI - It took one play to see that newly acquired defensive tackle Jordan Phillips is better than Mazi Smith. Acquired in a trade from the New York Giants Wednesday night, Phillips shoved a Raiders' offensive lineman into the backfield on the game's first snap. Meanwhile. Mazi missed the game after suffering an allergic reaction late in the week.

"Yeah, I know all about Jordan Phillips," Smith said . "He's made a lot of plays. He's a vet in this game and when you're able to add that to the room, iron sharpens iron. That's what you want. You want a room full of competition. You don't want anybody to relax."

8.  WOE IS THE O - Aubrey is a major weapon and third-string quarterback Trey Lance was much improved from a week ago, but the Cowboys' offense still misses a couple guys named Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. When Lance lofted a perfect fade pass to sixth-round draft choice Ryan Flournoy for a touchdown late in the first half it ended an ugly preseason stretch of 14 possessions without reaching the end zone.

7. (STILL) NO URGENCY - Last week owner Jerry Jones caused a buzz - and an "lol" from Lamb - when he said there was "no urgency" to get the All-Pro receiver signed to a contract and into training camp. Before the game Jerry reiterated his stance.

Asked by 105.3 The Fan reporter Kristi Scales about a deadline for a Lamb deal, Jones responded "Zero. Not worried about target dates."

The Cowboys open the regular season against the Cleveland Browns three weeks from Sunday.

6. STUMBLE FUMBLE - Second-year receiver Jalen Cropper's spot on the roster bubble is even more precarious after a rough night in Las Vegas. He made a nice over-the-shoulder catch of a punt, but then on the return lost his balance and - while falling forward - dislodged the ball from his arm with his knee and caused a fumble recovered by the Raiders. On Dallas' next possession he failed to make the catch on a ball that was thrown behind by Lance, but catchable nonetheless.

5. DEUCE, RESURRECTED - On the roster bubble and fighting a hamstring injury, running back Deuce Vaughn flashed the quickness that made him the darling of last year's preseason. He made a nifty change-of-direction that froze would-be tackle Jack Jones on a 12-yard run and later skirted around the end for a 7-yard gain.

4. COMMITTEE MEETING - With Rico Dowdle not suiting up, the message has been sent about coach Mike McCarthy's running-back-by-committee: Top two members are Ezekiel Elliott and Dowdle.

3. SKIPPED - We don't miss Skip Bayless, and he reminded us why again on social media Saturday night. Skip, who quit (was fired) by FS1 earlier this month, actually hit "send" on a tweet that claimed Jerry's contract negotiations with Prescott might be influenced by the Madden video game.

"Oh, no: Dak Prescott ran away with MVP in both Madden sims," Bayless wrote . "Will this influence Jerry to crumble and go against his gut and give Dak 4 more years at top QB $??? Jerry: Remember how bad Dak's last 3 playoff losses were. Not That Guy. Not a Team Lifter. I am right about this."

Related: Cowboys About To Cut Deuce Vaughn?

2. ROOKIE REVIEW - Best thing about this game was the flashes of potential from the Cowboys' draft class. Offensive tackle Tyler Guyton held his own against Raiders' elite pass-rusher Maxx Crosby, center Cooper Beebe continues to look like the game isn't too big for him, and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland spent considerable time in Las Vegas' backfield.

1. TREY TALK - He still wasn't perfect with his accuracy, but give the Cowboys' quarterback credit for major improvement over a week ago. He hit receivers in stride. He used his legs to keep plays alive. He made a savvy slide and timeout call to set up Aubrey's 66-yarder at the end of the first half. He scored on a 2-yard touchdown run. And - unlike last week against the Chargers - he lofted a perfect fade pass to the corner of the end zone on the touchdown to Flournoy .

Lance's stats in two preseason games: 40 of 64 for 339 yards, one touchdown, 3 sacks and 80 yards rushing.

Said Jerry of Lance before the game on 105.3 The Fan: "He's a great athlete. If we were really trying to win a game during the season, there’d be a different game plan. And you'd use his legs a lot. … You're gonna see Trey tonight working out of the pocket, working on his footwork. … I can see why San Francisco gave three ones to draft him."