Raiders 2022 preseason: Recapping the win against Minnesota

Recapping the Vikings, Raiders showdown in Las Vegas.

The second half involved quite a few surprising developments.

Nick Mullens fought hard to still be in the battle for QB2, logging 94-yards, and a passing touchdown. The former 49er only missed two throws, ending his day 7-for-9. The offense also housed other standouts from the battle in Vegas, including running back Andrew Walter and wideout D.J. Turner.

The biggest surprise, though? Daniel Carlson missed an extra point in the third quarter.

Las Vegas got the ball after the half, and Nick Mullens stepped in at quarterback. Mullens took full control of the drive as he drove downfield, eventually hitting DJ Turner 15-yards out. Turner did the rest, ending the play with a 35-yard touchdown. Check out Turner making the most of having the ball in his hands.

On the next drive of the game, Kellen Mond took the field for Minnesota, bringing the Vikings into Raider territory. Eventually, Mond fit the ball between two Raiders in the end zone, putting six on the board for Minnesota. Extra point good, 16-13, Las Vegas.

This is where Austin Walter came in, having his second dominant preseason performance in just as many showings.

Walter helped bring the ball downfield, showcasing impressive moves as he consistently broke free from tacklers. Although Walters got Las Vegas downfield, he couldn’t help what happened next. Hroniss Grasu, now in at center for the Raiders, snapped the ball well over Mullens head. Mullens got to the ball and fell on it, ending the play with a loss of 19; 3rd and 24.

3rd and 24 can’t stop the Raiders, though. Jalen Richard proved that when he picked up 23-yards on a 3rd and forever against the Chargers in week-18 of the ’21 season. Just like Richard, Mullens looked downfield and hit Demarcus Robinson in a tight window for 23. Now with 4th and 1, the Raiders ran the football, and picked up the first to continue the drive.

It was Walter time again, as the former Jet drove Las Vegas to the goal line. After two attempts, Walter couldn’t get in (although inching closer), and rookie running back Brittain Brown took the field. On 3rd down, Brittain Brown was given the ball, and Raiders added six to their point total. 23-13, Raiders.

Raiders got the ball back, and this time it was D.J. Turner time. On the punt, Turner looked electric as he returned the ball for 26 yards. On the same drive, with Chase Garbers now in, the 25-year-old made another big play on a deep ball. The drive was cut short, though, and Carlson zipped it through the upright for a 26-13 score.

The Vikings would score again, ending the contest with the Raiders winning 26-20.

Winner(s) of the second half: Austin Walter, D.J. Turner.

It’s hard to pick one winner here, so both get the honor. Turner was a machine on both special teams and lined up as a receiver, while Walter gave us a show on the ground. Although both are fighting an uphill battle to make the roster at crowded positions, this certainly only helps their cases.

Loser of the second half: Patrick Graham.

I say this not because Graham called the second half poorly, but rather because he watched his defense miss a large amount of tackles. Really, there were quite a bit of missed tackles, by a wide variety of different players. Sorry you had to witness that, Graham.