5 things that stood out in the Vikings’ preseason win over the Raiders

The first preseason game is over and it offered a glimpse of the great potential of Minnesota’s two 2024 first-round picks – quarterback JJ McCarthy and edge rusher Dallas Turner. Let’s take a closer look at five things that stood out in the Vikings’ 24-23 win over the Raiders.

McCarthy’s first possession ended in an interception on third-and-10, but he really came into his own over the course of 16 minutes of the first half and then went on a full-throttle routine in the third quarter, throwing touchdown passes of 45 and 33 yards to Trishton Jackson and Trent Sherfield on back-to-back drives to give the Vikings a 21-20 lead after trailing 20-7.

McCarthy finished the game completing 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

The rookie edge rusher from Alabama made his presence felt on the first defensive series of his career. After the Raiders moved the ball deep into Minnesota territory, Turner hit quarterback Aidan O’Connell on a quick run that sent him flying past the left tackle, and a few plays later he sacked O’Connell to force the Raiders into a field goal attempt.

Nwangwu was the backup running back for starter Ty Chandler, who was starting because Aaron Jones was not playing, and he looked good as the second-team offensive line opened up a huge gap through which he raced and ran unhindered for 48 yards, yielding Minnesota’s first touchdown of the preseason.

Sam Darnold started at quarterback and was protected by a line of Christian Darrisaw, Blake Brandel, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram and Brian O’Neill. Darrisaw, Bradbury and O’Neill remain in the starting lineup, and it’s pretty certain at this point that Brandel and Ingram will be the starting guards.

Who were the first linemen in the game as backups? David Quessenberry appears to be the backup left tackle and rookie Walter Rouse got the snaps as the backup right tackle. Fellow rookie Michael Jurgens was the backup center and the backup left and right guards were Dan Feeney and Tyrese Robinson.

The key name that doesn’t play with the 1s or 2s? Dalton Risner.

The undrafted rookie out of Air Force was disruptive as an edge rusher. He’s a bit of an exceptional athlete, running a 4.5-second 40-yard dash with a 38-inch vertical lift and showing off his skills with two sacks in the third quarter.

Richter had three sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss for Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl last year.

While it’s unlikely he’ll make the 53-man roster, Saturday’s performance will only help him do so.