LAS VEGAS — Minnesota and Las Vegas played the lowest-scoring NFL game in 16 years, with Greg Joseph's 36-yard field goal with 1:57 left giving the Vikings a 3-0 victory over the Raiders on Sunday.
It was the first 3-0 game since Pittsburgh beat Miami on Nov. 26, 2007, the third in the past 40 years and the seventh in the Super Bowl era.
Joseph's kick ensured the game wouldn't end regulation scoreless for the first time since the New York Giants played the host Detroit Lions to a 0-0 tie on Nov. 7, 1943.
The Vikings (7-6) had just 230 total yards, and the Raiders (5-8) — losers of three in a row — were limited to 201 yards and nine first downs. Minnesota beat an AFC West opponent for the first time this season after going 0-3.
It was Minnesota's first shutout since defeating the Packers 16-0 on Dec. 23, 2017 and the first blanking of Las Vegas since its 24-0 loss to New Orleans on Oct. 30, 2022.
Nick Mullens relieved a struggling Joshua Dobbs at quarterback and led the Vikings on their lone scoring drive. His 22-yard completion to Jordan Addison to the Raiders 20 set up Joseph's kick.
Ivan Pace intercepted Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell on the next drive. The Raiders managed to get the ball back with 7 seconds remaining, but couldn't pull off a desperation final play.
The Vikings lost wide receiver Justin Jefferson, the 2022 AP Offensive Player of the Year, in the second quarter to a chest injury. He was taken to a hospital, Fox Sports reported on its telecast. This was Jefferson's first game back after missing the previous seven because of a hamstring injury.
Las Vegas lost running back Josh Jacobs to a knee injury in the fourth quarter. Jacobs led the NFL in rushing last season with 1,653 yards. He had rushed for more than 100 yards in two of the prior three games.
Neither team scored in the first half, the second time that happened Sunday. The Texans-Jets game also was 0-0 at intermission. According to Fox, it was the first time since October of 1998 that two games were scoreless at halftime on the same day.
Minnesota came closest to scoring, but Joseph missed a 49-yard field goal with 5:32 remaining in the half. That was the Vikings' only first-half drive into Las Vegas territory, matching the number by the Raiders.
Las Vegas looked as if would finally break the deadlock early in the second half when Hunter Renfrow picked up 38 yards on a catch-and-run to the Vikings 11. However, Renfrow fumbled three players later, and Mekhi Blackmon recovered for Minnesota. The Vikings entered the game with a league-high 18 forced fumbles.
The game remained scoreless entering the fourth quarter, the first time that has happened since Week 17 of the 2017 season when the Cowboys and Eagles faced each other. It's the first time the Raiders have ever been involved in such a game and the second for the Vikings — Nov. 14, 1971 against the Packers was the other.
MILESTONE SACK
Maxx Crosby became the fifth Raider to record 50 career sacks when he got to Dobbs in the second quarter. He is the first player in franchise history to get there in his first five seasons.
Crosby timed the snap perfectly to get a strong jump, forcing Vikings right tackle Brian O'Neill to hold him. Crosby fought through the hold to bring down Dobbs.
TRIBUTE TO VICTIMS
Crosby led the team onto the field carrying flags representing UNLV and law enforcement. The team had a moment of silence before kickoff to honors the three UNLV professors who were fatally shot Wednesday and two Nevada Highway Patrol officers who died after being struck by a car on Nov. 30.
INJURIES
Vikings: RB Alexander Mattison (ankle) was injured in the third quarter. ... RT Brian O'Neill (ankle) was hurt in the second quarter.
Raiders: DT Adam Butler (foot) and LB Kana'i Mauga (knee) were injured in the second quarter. Mauga had just been activated off injured reserve on Saturday. He was on IR because of a knee injury. ... C Andre James (ankle) was injured in the third quarter.
UP NEXT
Vikings: At Cincinnati on Saturday.
Raiders: Host the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night.
Vikings officially on the board at the two minute warning
Greg Joseph is able to put the Vikings on the board with a 36 yard field goal. The score is now 3-0 Vikings.
T.J. Hockenson breaks Vikings TE reception record
T.J. Hockenson has surpassed Kyle Rudolph as the Vikings' single season receptions leader as a tight end.
Single-season record for a #Vikings tight end! pic.twitter.com/gN3WhwxjAk
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 10, 2023
Viking receiver Brandon Powell hurt after play
Brandon Powell heads to the tent with medical personnel. His return is questionable.
Vikings make a change at Quarterback
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell decides to make change at quarterback with about 9 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter with the score still tied at 0. Nick Mullens comes into the game taking the place of Joshua Dobbs. Dobbs cannot seem to get anything going with the Vikings offense.
Nick Mullens has entered the game for the #Vikings.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 10, 2023
Third quarter comes to a close
After three quarters of play the game is still scoreless.
Justin Jefferson ruled out
Justin Jefferson is officially ruled out (chest) for the remainder of the game according to the Offical Vikings X post.
Justin Jefferson has now been downgraded to out. https://t.co/ybgdkxCjLb
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 10, 2023
At halftime the score is tied 0-0
After two quarters of play, the Vikings and Raiders have failed to light up the scoreboard. Justin Jefferson's return is still questionable. A solid bet for purple would be to make use of all that speed on the outside. Look for the Vikings to put all of their chips in during the second half in Las Vegas.
Justin Jefferson shaken up after catch
Justin Jefferson made a nice two-handed catch and was hit hard in the upper-body, midfield. Jefferson was slow to get up. The Vikings were able to move the chains forward but Jefferson was seen shortly after walking into the Vikings locker room. According to the official Minnesota Vikings X post, his return is questionable.
Justin Jefferson (chest) is questionable to return.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 10, 2023
Justin Jefferson gets 1st catch since injury
Justin Jefferson has his first catch since being injured in week five.
Joshua Dobbs hit Jefferson on the outside for a first down.
First quarter ends scoreless
It's been all defense in Vegas so far, with no points for either offense in the first quarter.
It's 0-0 in the second.
Raiders' promising first drive stalls
The Raiders looked like they were on their way to an early score, but a holding penalty and a sack by the Vikings' defense stalled them out and forced a punt.
The Vikings will take over on the 25-yard line after a touchback.
Starting RG Ed Ingram inactive vs. Raiders
The Vikings' starting right guard, Ed Ingram, is inactive against the Raiders on Sunday.
Safety Lewis Cine, quarterback Jaren Hall, tight end Nick Muse and tackle Hakeem Adeniji are also inactive. Hall will serve as the emergency third quarterback.
With Joshua Dobbs being named starter, Nick Mullens will be the No. 2 QB.
The only notable name among the Raiders' inactives is starting offensive tackle Kolton Miller.
Vikings OC Wes Phillips arrested for DWI, will still travel with team to Las Vegas
Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips was arrested on Friday night for a misdemeanor DWI.
He'll still travel to Las Vegas on Saturday afternoon, as the team faces the Raiders on Sunday.
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