Raiders vs. Vikings score, takeaways in NFL preseason Week 1: Efficient offense fuels Las Vegas victory

If the Raiders play this well when the regular season begins, they may be on their way to hosting a playoff game in January. Through two preseason games, the Raiders are 2-0 under the direction of new coach Josh McDaniels. On Sunday, Las Vegas defeated the visiting Vikings 26-20 in a game that saw McDaniels' team play well in all three phases. 

The Raiders scored on their first two drives and took a 10-0 lead on Jarrett Stidham's four-yard run to open the second quarter. Minnesota eventually cut its deficit to three points in the third quarter before three consecutive scoring drives by the Raiders gave the home team a 26-13 lead.

Las Vegas received solid play from Stidham and fellow backup quarterback Nick Mullens, who were a combined 17 of 24 for 162 yards and two touchdowns. Both quarterbacks were aided by receiver DJ Turner, whose stellar afternoon included a 34-yard touchdown catch on the Raiders' first drive of the second half. 

Vikings fans witnessed a spirited position battle play out at backup quarterback between Sean Mannion and Kellen Mond. Mannion played most of the first half and led the Vikings' offense on a pair of drives that ended with short field goals. After a shaky start, Mond engineered three scoring drives that included two touchdown passes to Albert Wilson. The Vikings' defense was led by defensive tackle T.Y. McGill, who had half of Minnesota's four sacks. 

Here's a closer look at what transpired on Sunday. 

Mond vs. Mannion 

While neither quarterback was able to take a definitive lead in the backup QB competition, Mond certainly helped his case after leading the Vikings on three scoring drives. Mond's case would be even stronger had he not missed an open Trishton Jackson in the end zone on the Vikings' final drive of the first half. Mond finished the game with 119 yards on 9 of 14 passing, while Mannion went 8 of 12 for 79 yards while being sacked twice. 

Vikings top Raiders on the ground 

A lot of focus has rightfully be centered on the Raiders' offensive line and whether the re-vamped unit would be able to consistently open holes for their running backs. After a stellar preseason debut against the Jaguars in the Hall of Fame Game (Vegas rushed for 159 yards and three scores on 33 carries in that contest), the Raiders weren't quite as effective on Sunday, gaining 140 yards and two scores while averaging 3.6 yards an attempt. Las Vegas, which did not have a run over nine yards, was able to get the necessary yards on the ground when needed (more on that in a second). 

Minnesota rumbled for 115 yards on 22 carries for an average of 5.2 yards per attempt. Rookie Ty Chandler led the way with 50 yards on five carries that included consecutive runs of 14, 7 and 12 yards on the Vikings' second scoring drive. Chandler also made his mark on special teams. 

'Go DJ' 

Preseason games offer the chance for bubble players to strengthen their case to make the 53-man roster. DJ Turner did just that on Sunday, as the 2021 undrafted rookie made several splash played that helped the Raiders pull out the win. Along with his touchdown catch, the former Pitt Panthers receiver led both teams with 58 receiving yards. He also returned a punt 26 yards that the Raiders' offense parlayed into their fifth and final scoring drive. 

Cole crushes one 

He only punted twice, but A.J. Cole made his first one count. The reigning All-Pro booted a 64-yard punt that pinned the Vikings on their own 16-yard-line near the end of the first half. Despite Cole's booming punt, the Vikings overcome the poor field position with a 79-yard scoring drive. 

New coaches make fourth-down gambles 

McDaniels and the Vikings' Kevin O'Connell -- the new head coaches this season for each team -- decided to roll the dice on fourth downs. The Raiders' first fourth-down gamble paid off when Kenyan Drake put up three yards on fourth-and-1 from the Vikings' 10-yard-line. The conversion helped set up Stidham's touchdown run that gave the Raiders a 10–0 at the start of the second quarter. 

After eschewing possible fourth-down conversion attempts for short field goals in the first half, O'Connell decided to change course on the Vikings' first possession of the second half. Facing a fourth-and-5 on his own 36, McConnell kept his offense on the field. His faith was rewarded when Mond hit Dan Chinesa for a 22-yard gain. Mond then hit Wilson on a short touchdown pass two plays later. 

With their lead cut to three points, the Raiders kept possession after Brittain Brown gained three yards on fourth-and-1 from the Vikings' 32-yard-line. Brown punched it in from a yard out several plays later as the Raiders went back up by two possessions. 

What's next 

Las Vegas will face the Dolphins in Miami next Saturday night for their third of four preseason games (teams that didn't play in the Hall of Fame Game have only three). The Vikings will return home to face the 49ers next Saturday night.