LAS VEGAS (AP) — One of the biggest questions facing Las Vegas Raiders first-year coach Josh McDaniels was where he would find the right pieces for his offensive line.
McDaniels may not have all the answers after a 26-20 preseason win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, but he’s pleased with what he’s seen in two preseason games.
“I think we have some depth at tackle and some competition,” McDaniels said. “We’ve told them since the first day they got here that this was going to be a situation where guys earn their opportunities and they’ll determine their role.”
Using numerous rotations for nearly every offensive series, the Raiders (2-0) were able to sustain second-half drives of 10 and 15 plays, both resulting in touchdowns, to seize control of the game and keep Minnesota (0-1) at arm’s length.
“We talked a lot about being productive on first down,” said quarterback Nick Mullens, who completed 7 of 9 passes for 94 yards and one touchdown. “And I think if you just look at the stats overall in the NFL, if you’re productive on first down it’s going to keep you on schedule to establish good drives. Everybody banded together, our O-line did a really good job, we ran the ball, and played productive as a unit.”
After gaining just 23 yards on 12 first-down plays in the first half, the Raiders gained 64 yards on 15 first-down plays in the second half.
Of their 12 first-down plays in the first two quarters, the Raiders gained more than four yards just one time. Las Vegas gained five or more yards on seven of its 15 first-down plays in the second half.
“You got so many different guys on the O-line group right now, kind of rotating through, so you got to kind of get used to everyone because not everyone fits rotations and double-teams the same,” center Andre James said. “It’s good to get this in right now and learn how everyone’s fitting in.”
The Raiders finished with 300 yards of offense, and an average of 4.3 yards per play, with starter Jarrett Stidham completing 10 of his 15 passes for 68 yards. He also ran for 16 yards on four carries, including a touchdown. Chase Garbers finished the game under center for the Raiders and was 2 for 3 through the air for 19 yards. Brittain Brown ran for 54 yards on 14 carries, including one touchdown.
Kellen Mond threw for 119 yards on nine completions, including two touchdowns, for the Vikings in their preseason opener. Sean Mannion finished 8 of 12 for 79 yards.
Veteran wideout Albert Wilson caught two passes for Minnesota, both for touchdowns.
“There was a lot of really, really positive things that I took out of it across the board,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “I thought our run game and some of our physicality I saw up front were real positives. We’re obviously allowing these quarterbacks to compete, so sometimes we may feature a little bit more in the pass game to see kind of how those guys do in certain normal-down situations.”
CONVERSION RATES
The Raiders were 8 of 16 (50%) on third down, 2 for 2 (100%) on fourth down, and 2 for 3 (66.7%) in the red zone.
The Vikings were for 1 for 7 (14.2%) on third down, 1 for 1 (100%) on fourth down, and 2 for 4 (50%) in the red zone.
PURPLE RAIN
The Vikings were penalized eight times for 71 yards, including seven infractions for 66 yards in the first half.
ACES HIGH
Raiders owner Mark Davis and tight end Darren Waller, who hasn’t practiced since July 30, were in attendance at Sunday’s WNBA game between the Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm across Interstate 15 from Allegiant Stadium, at Mandalay Bay. The Aces’ 109-100 win sealed the No. 1 overall seed for the upcoming playoffs. The WNBA game ended just before halftime of the Raiders game, so it’s likely both Davis and Waller made it in time for the second half.
“I think he was over there before our game started, which is, I understand that. He wasn’t going to play today, so, I don’t want to make more of that than it was,” McDaniels said of Waller not being at Allegiant for the entire game.
TRAINERS ROOM
Vikings: QB Kirk Cousins tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week and did not travel with the team. The Vikings’ next practice is Tuesday, putting Cousins on track to return to the field then.
Raiders: DE Malcolm Koonce was shaken up during the first quarter, but later returned to play.
UP NEXT
Vikings: Host the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday.
Raiders: Visit the Miami Dolphins on Saturday.
TOP PHOTO: Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Albert Wilson catches a touchdown pass ahead of Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Bryce Cosby during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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