Minnesota Viking Ivan Pace Jr. celebrated his game clinching interception with his teammates in his team’s 3-0 win over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday DEC 10, 2023. (Minnesota Vikings)

by Marko Ukalovic

LAS VEGAS — The scoreboard operator didn’t do much to earn his paycheck at Allegiant Stadium.

In a game where both teams defenses dominated for 60 minutes, the Minnesota Vikings beat the Las Vegas Raiders 3-0 in an ugly played game on Sunday afternoon down in the desert.

Las Vegas has lost three games in a row with their slim playoff hopes slipping farther away. Minnesota snapped its two-game losing streak as it battles for one of the final Wild Card berths in the NFC.

Minnesota (6-6) went three and out in its first drive as Raiders 2023 first round draft pick Tyree Wilson recorded his second sack of the season when he sacked Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs on a 3rd and 5.

Las Vegas (5-7) was able to generate a couple of first downs on its first two drives but penalties on each drive stalled them out near midfield as Minnesota’s defense forced back-to-back punts.

It was not a first half to write home about as the scoreless 30 minutes featured seven sacks, two by Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, and just 184 combined yards of offense.

“Yeah it’s frustrating,” Raiders wide receiver Jacobi Meyers said regarding the offense being shutout. “We’re not happy. We’re not going to come in here and celebrate because we got shutout. Everybody has got to look at themselves in the mirror, accept what they did wrong and try to correct it.”

All-pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson returned to action since he suffered a hamstring injury back in week 4. His day only last two drives with two catches for 27 yards. Jefferson jumped up in the air to snag his second reception when he hit by Nate Hobbs and suffered a chest injury. He did not finish the game and was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.

Just when it looked like Las Vegas was going to break the deadlock on its first possession of the second half after a 38-yard reception to Hunter Renfroe that put the ball at the Vikings 11-yard line. Renfroe fumbled on a screen pass three plays later that was recovered by Mekhi Blackmon at the 16-yard line.

“It sucks, you know it sucks”, Crosby said regarding the Raiders best defensive performance of the season in a loss. “We do this sh*t all year, training all year. I put everything I had into this game. It’s super frustrating but at the end of the day, you gotta show up and get better. I know that’s what I’m going to do, and these guys will do the same thing.”

Nick Mullens replaced Dobbs at quarterback in the fourth quarter. Dobbs finished 10 of 23 for 63 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

The scoreboard finally changed with 1:57 remaining in the game when Greg Joesph kicked a 36-yard field goal for the game’s only points.

Ivan Pace Jr. sealed the game for the Vikings when he intercepted Aiden O’Connell at the Raiders 34-yard line with 1:52 left in the fourth quarter.

Mullens, who led the game winning drive, finished 9 of 13 for 83 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Alexander Mattison led all rushers with 66 yards on 10 carries. Tight end TJ Hockenson led the Vikings in receiving with five catches for 53 yards.

O’Connell was 21 of 32 for 171 yards with no touchdowns to go along with his interception. Josh Jacobs, who left the game in the fourth quarter with a knee injury finished with just 34 yards on 13 carries. Davante Adams, who did not meet with the media after the game, led the Raiders in receiving with seven catches for 53 yards.

GAME NOTES: Las Vegas finished 3-for-14 on third down conversions. Minnesota went 8-for-20.

UP NEXT: Las Vegas hosts the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football 12/14 at 5:15pm at Allegiant Stadium.