Previewing This Week’s Vikings Game: Preseason Week 1 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
The Minnesota Vikings officially get their preseason scheduled kicked off this weekend when they take on the Las Vegas Raiders.
For both teams, it will be their first real game action since Week 18 of the 2023 regular season as each squad missed out on the playoffs last year. Here is a look at everything you need to know ahead of this first Vikings game of the 2024 preseason.
How to Watch This Week’s Vikings Game
This week’s game between the Raiders and Vikings is scheduled to kick off at 3 PM on Saturday, August 10th inside U.S. Bank Stadium. The game will be broadcast on FOX as well as NFL Network. It can also be streamed on NFL+ in the NFL app.
Raiders/Vikings History
Of course, Vikings fans will remember the 3-0 barnburner that took place in Allegiant Stadium last December. It was the 17th matchup between the two franchises, including their matchup in Super Bowl XI, but only Minnesota’s seventh victory in the all-time series.
The Vikings have won each of the past three regular season matchups, though. Of course, the preseason matchup won’t go on the official record, but the last time these two teams met in preseason play, Nick Mullens was playing for the Raiders and torched Minnesota’s defense in a 26-20 victory for Las Vegas.
Vikings Spotlight Player: QB J.J. McCarthy
It’s an obvious choice, but few Vikings fans will disagree that all eyes are on J.J. McCarthy heading into this weekend. It will be the first time that everyone will get a chance to watch him take snaps in an NFL game. Even if it is only a preseason game, this is a big deal for the 10th overall pick in this spring’s draft.
Of course, the QB position in general will be very closely watched this weekend. The Vikings released their first depth chart of the 2024 season this week, and Sam Darnold was listed as QB1 while Nick Mullens and McCarthy shared the QB2 spot.
Raiders Spotlight Player: TE Brock Bowers
Brock Bowers enjoyed one of the most successful collegiate careers ever for a tight end, catching 175 passes for 2538 yards and 26 touchdowns over his three seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs and also winning two national championships.
Now, Bowers takes his talents to the Sin City after being selected with the 13th overall pick in this spring’s draft, and to this point, the rookie has been turning heads throughout training camp. Bowers is an extremely athletic player at the tight end spot, capable of creating horrific mismatches for defenses. It will be very interesting to see how the Vikings deal with him on Saturday.
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