On August 10, 2024, the Minnesota Vikings narrowly defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 24-23 in their preseason opener at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The game, a back-and-forth affair, was decided by rookie kicker Will Reichard’s 38-yard field goal as time expired, snapping the Vikings’ 10-game preseason losing streak. Rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s two touchdown passes and Zamir White’s rushing score highlighted the contest, with both teams resting several key starters. Below is a detailed breakdown of player stats and key moments, sourced from ESPN, CBS Sports, FOX Sports, and Raiders.com.
Game Overview
- Sport: American Football
- Date: August 10, 2024
- Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Weather: Indoors
- League: National Football League (NFL) – Preseason
- Matchup: Las Vegas Raiders vs Minnesota Vikings Match Player Stats
- Final Score: Minnesota Vikings 24, Las Vegas Raiders 23
- Result: Vikings won by 1 point
- Player of the Game (Man of the Match): J.J. McCarthy (QB, Minnesota Vikings)
- Key Moment: Will Reichard’s 38-yard field goal with three seconds left secured the Vikings’ victory after a late Raiders field goal by Daniel Carlson had given Las Vegas a 23-21 lead.
Minnesota Vikings: Offensive Highlights
The Vikings amassed 320 total yards (225 passing, 95 rushing), averaging 5.2 yards per play, and converted 6/14 third downs (42.9%). J.J. McCarthy’s promising debut and Kene Nwangwu’s explosive touchdown run led the offense.
Passing
- J.J. McCarthy (QB): 11/17, 188 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 104.0 passer rating, 2 rushes, 18 yards. McCarthy rebounded from an early interception with a 33-yard touchdown pass to Trishton Jackson in the third quarter and a 13-yard touchdown to Trent Sherfield Sr. in the fourth.
- Sam Darnold (QB): 6/8, 59 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 1 rush, -1 yard. Darnold led the opening drive but failed to convert on fourth-and-2, going 0-for-1 with runners in scoring position.
Rushing
- Kene Nwangwu (RB): 5 carries, 52 yards, 10.4 YPC, 1 TD (48 yards). Nwangwu’s 48-yard touchdown run in the second quarter cut the Raiders’ lead to 10-7.
- Aaron Jones (RB): 2 carries, 12 yards, 6.0 YPC. Jones had limited snaps, exiting early with starters.
- Ty Chandler (RB): 3 carries, 11 yards, 3.7 YPC. Chandler contributed to a balanced ground attack.
Receiving
- Trishton Jackson (WR): 3 receptions, 61 yards, 1 TD (33 yards). Jackson’s touchdown catch in the third gave the Vikings a 14-10 lead.
- Trent Sherfield Sr. (WR): 2 receptions, 25 yards, 1 TD (13 yards). Sherfield’s fourth-quarter touchdown tied the game at 21-21.
- Justin Jefferson (WR): 1 reception, 12 yards. Jefferson played sparingly, catching one pass on the opening drive.
The Vikings left seven runners on base and went 2/4 with runners in scoring position, with McCarthy’s two touchdown passes and Nwangwu’s run providing the offensive spark.
Minnesota Vikings: Defensive Standouts
The Vikings’ defense held the Raiders to 295 total yards (197 passing, 98 rushing), forcing one turnover and recording two sacks. They allowed 5/13 third-down conversions (38.5%) and 1/2 fourth-down attempts.
- Dallas Turner (LB): 1 sack (10 yards), tackling Aidan O’Connell on the Raiders’ first drive, leading to a punt.
- Jack Jones (CB): 1 INT, 4-yard return. Jones intercepted McCarthy’s ill-advised throw in the second quarter, setting up a Raiders touchdown.
- Blake Lynch (LB): Key tackle on Zamir White’s 2-yard loss, forcing a punt in the third quarter.
Minnesota Vikings: Special Teams
- Will Reichard (K): 1/2 FG (38 yards), 3/3 XP. Reichard’s 38-yard field goal as time expired won the game, though his earlier 37-yard attempt was blocked.
- Ryan Wright (P): 3 punts, 135 yards, 45.0 AVG. Wright pinned the Raiders deep on one punt in the third quarter.
Las Vegas Raiders: Offensive Highlights
The Raiders totaled 295 yards (197 passing, 98 rushing), averaging 4.8 yards per play, and converted 5/13 third downs (38.5%) and 1/2 fourth downs. Gardner Minshew II and Zamir White led the offense, but a late defensive lapse cost them.
Passing
- Gardner Minshew II (QB): 6/12, 117 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 99.0 passer rating. Minshew’s 20-yard touchdown pass to DJ Turner in the second quarter gave the Raiders a 10-0 lead.
- Aidan O’Connell (QB): 7/9, 76 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT. O’Connell was efficient in 15 snaps but took a 10-yard sack by Turner on his final play.
- Anthony Brown (QB): 4/6, 34 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 1 rush, 4 yards. Brown’s fourth-down scramble kept a drive alive in the fourth quarter.
Rushing
- Zamir White (RB): 6 carries, 23 yards, 3.8 YPC, 1 TD (2 yards). White’s 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter extended the Raiders’ lead to 17-7.
- Alexander Mattison (RB): 4 carries, 28 yards, 7.0 YPC. Mattison’s 12-yard run set up a field goal in the first quarter.
- Dylan Laube (RB): 3 carries, 15 yards, 5.0 YPC. Laube contributed in limited snaps.
Receiving
- DJ Turner (WR): 2 receptions, 34 yards, 1 TD (20 yards). Turner’s touchdown catch from Minshew was a highlight of the first half.
- Brock Bowers (TE): 2 receptions, 25 yards. The rookie tight end showed versatility, lining up at fullback in experimental formations.
- Jakobi Meyers (WR): 1 reception, 18 yards. Meyers played sparingly but made a key catch in the second quarter.
The Raiders left six runners on base and went 2/5 with runners in scoring position, with Minshew’s touchdown pass and White’s score keeping them competitive.
Las Vegas Raiders: Defensive Struggles
The Raiders’ defense allowed 320 yards, including 225 passing, and failed to stop the Vikings’ late drive. They recorded one interception and one block but permitted 6/14 third-down conversions.
- Jack Jones (CB): 1 INT, 4-yard return, setting up Minshew’s touchdown pass in the second quarter.
- David Agoha (DL): 1 blocked FG. Agoha’s block of Reichard’s 37-yard attempt kept the score at 17-7 at halftime.
- Maxx Crosby (DE): Limited snaps, no recorded stats, as he was rested for much of the game.
Las Vegas Raiders: Special Teams
- Daniel Carlson (K): 3/3 FG (31, 23, 56 yards), 2/2 XP. Carlson’s 56-yard field goal in the fourth quarter gave the Raiders a 23-21 lead with 9:45 remaining.
- AJ Cole (P): 2 punts, 92 yards, 46.0 AVG. Cole’s punts were effective but couldn’t prevent the Vikings’ final drive.
Key Moments
- First Quarter Lead: Carlson’s 31-yard field goal, set up by Mattison’s 12-yard run, gave the Raiders a 3-0 lead at 1:40 in the first.
- Second Quarter Surge: Minshew’s 20-yard touchdown pass to Turner (11:06) and White’s 2-yard touchdown run (5:26) built a 17-7 lead after Nwangwu’s 48-yard touchdown run for the Vikings (9:47).
- Third Quarter Shift: McCarthy’s 33-yard touchdown pass to Jackson (7:45) gave the Vikings a 14-10 lead, capitalizing on Jones’ earlier interception.
- Fourth Quarter Drama: Sherfield’s 13-yard touchdown catch tied the game at 21-21 (12:36), but Carlson’s 23-yard field goal (9:45) put the Raiders ahead 23-21.
- Game-Winning Kick: Reichard’s 38-yard field goal with three seconds left, set up by McCarthy’s 25-yard pass to Sherfield, secured the 24-23 victory.
- Defensive Stand: Turner’s 10-yard sack on O’Connell in the first quarter forced a punt, while Agoha’s blocked field goal preserved the Raiders’ halftime lead.
Statistical Notes
- Yards Per Play: The Vikings’ 5.2 yards per play edged the Raiders’ 4.8, reflecting McCarthy’s efficient passing.
- Rushing Output: The Raiders’ 98 rushing yards outgained the Vikings’ 95, but Nwangwu’s 48-yard touchdown run was the game’s longest play.
- Turnovers: The Vikings’ one turnover (McCarthy’s interception) led to seven Raiders points, while the Raiders’ zero turnovers kept the game close.
- Third-Down Efficiency: The Vikings’ 6/14 (42.9%) topped the Raiders’ 5/13 (38.5%), aiding their late drive.
- Field Goals: Carlson’s 3/3 field goals matched Reichard’s 1/2, but Reichard’s clutch kick decided the game.
Series Context
This was the only scheduled meeting between the Raiders and Vikings in the 2024 preseason. The Raiders won the previous regular-season meeting 3-0 on December 10, 2023, at Allegiant Stadium, a low-scoring affair with no touchdowns. Historically, the Raiders lead the all-time series 10-6 (including one postseason game), with notable performances from players like Clarence Davis (99 rushing yards) and Cliff Branch (198 receiving yards), as noted in the sports card above for older games.
Injury Notes
- Vikings: TE T.J. Hockenson (knee), CB Shaq Griffin (hamstring), and OLB Andrew Van Ginkel (foot) were sidelined, with Robert Tonyan (back) also out.
- Raiders: LT Kolton Miller (shoulder) and LG Jackson Powers-Johnson (shoulder) did not play, impacting the offensive line.
Conclusion
The Minnesota Vikings’ 24-23 preseason victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on August 10, 2024, highlighted J.J. McCarthy’s potential with two touchdown passes and Will Reichard’s game-winning 38-yard field goal. Kene Nwangwu’s 48-yard touchdown run and Dallas Turner’s sack were key, while the Raiders’ Gardner Minshew II, Zamir White, and Daniel Carlson kept the game close. The Aces’ late lead was undone by defensive lapses, dropping them to 0-1. Historical Raiders stats (e.g., George Atkinson, Fred Biletnikoff) from the sports card above reflect older games and are not relevant to this matchup.
For the full box score and play-by-play, visit ESPN.com, CBS Sports, FOX Sports, or Raiders.com.
