Vikings beat Raiders 3-0 in lowest-scoring NFL game in 16 years

The NFL witnessed a throwback to a bygone era on Sunday as the Minnesota Vikings clashed with the Las Vegas Raiders in a low-scoring showdown that harked back 16 years in terms of scoring. The game’s sole defining moment came when Greg Joseph successfully executed a 36-yard field goal with just 1 minute and 57 seconds left on the clock, securing a 3-0 victory for the Vikings over the Raiders, narrowly avoiding what could have been an 80-year setback for the league.

This contest marked a rarity in NFL history, as it was the first 3-0 game since the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Miami Dolphins on November 26, 2007. In fact, such low-scoring affairs have been a rarity in recent decades, with only three such games in the past 40 years and a mere seven occurrences in the entire Super Bowl era. The last time an NFL game ended in a regulation scoreless tie was on November 7, 1943, when the New York Giants and Detroit Lions played to a 0-0 draw.

Offensively, both teams struggled mightily. The Vikings managed to muster just 230 total yards, while the Raiders, who were on a three-game losing streak, were held to a mere 201 yards and managed only nine first downs. This victory marked the first time this season that the Vikings managed to defeat an AFC West opponent after going winless in their previous three attempts.

The game also carried significance for both teams in terms of shutouts. For the Vikings, it marked their first shutout since their 16-0 victory over the Green Bay Packers on December 23, 2017. Meanwhile, the Raiders experienced their first shutout loss since their 24-0 defeat to the New Orleans Saints on October 30, 2022.

A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Nick Mullens took over as quarterback for the Vikings in the fourth quarter, replacing an ineffective Joshua Dobbs. Mullens orchestrated the Vikings’ lone scoring drive, which culminated in his 22-yard completion to Jordan Addison, setting up Joseph’s game-winning field goal.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell praised Mullens’ performance, emphasizing the importance of preparation and the team’s trust in their backup quarterback. However, O’Connell remained non-committal about the starting quarterback role moving forward.

On the Raiders’ side, interim coach Antonio Pierce expressed frustration with the team’s performance, pointing fingers at both coaching and player execution. Quarterback Aidan O’Connell completed 21 of 32 passes for 171 yards but also threw an interception.

The game was not without its share of injuries. Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, the 2022 AP Offensive Player of the Year, suffered a chest injury in the second quarter, while Raiders running back Josh Jacobs sustained a knee injury in the fourth quarter.

Remarkably, the game remained scoreless throughout the first three quarters, a rare occurrence in the modern NFL. This marked the first such game since Week 17 of the 2017 season, and it was the first time the Raiders had ever been involved in such a contest.

In the end, both teams missed opportunities to score, with Joseph missing a 49-yard field goal for the Vikings, and the Raiders’ Hunter Renfrow losing a fumble within Minnesota’s 20-yard line.

In an off-field incident of note, Minnesota’s offensive coordinator, Wes Phillips, worked the game despite being arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in Minneapolis the previous night. Head coach O’Connell expressed disappointment and stated that the league was involved in the matter.

Finally, Maxx Crosby achieved a significant milestone by becoming the fifth Raider to record 50 career sacks, accomplishing this feat in his first five seasons, a franchise record. He later added a second sack to his tally.

The game also featured a touching tribute to the victims of recent tragic events, as Crosby led the Raiders onto the field with flags representing UNLV and law enforcement. A moment of silence was observed before kickoff to honor the three UNLV professors who were tragically shot and two Nevada Highway Patrol officers who lost their lives in separate incidents.

Looking ahead, the Vikings are set to face the Cincinnati Bengals next Saturday, while the Raiders will host the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night.

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More about Lowest-Scoring NFL Game

• NFL Official Website
• Minnesota Vikings Official Website
• Las Vegas Raiders Official Website
• Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Miami Dolphins – November 26, 2007
• Super Bowl Era – Wikipedia
• New York Giants vs. Detroit Lions – November 7, 1943
• Nick Mullens – ESPN Player Profile
• Joshua Dobbs – ESPN Player Profile
• Maxx Crosby – NFL Player Profile
• UNLV Shooting – News Report