In an impressive preseason debut, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy bounced back from an early interception to lead his team to a thrilling 24-23 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. McCarthy's resilient performance, highlighted by two touchdown passes and three scoring drives, helped the Vikings end their ten-game preseason losing streak that stretched back to the Mike Zimmer era.

The game, which ended with a game-winning field goal by Will Reichard as time expired, showcased McCarthy's poise, arm talent, and mobility. Despite his early interception, McCarthy's determination and ability to rally his team drew cheers from the home crowd. Completing 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards, McCarthy also contributed 18 rushing yards, further solidifying his promising debut.

Trishton Jackson emerged as McCarthy's favorite target, making four catches for an impressive 100 yards and a long touchdown. Jalen Nailor also had a notable performance, recording three catches for 63 yards. Additionally, Kene Nwangwu and Trent Sherfield each found the end zone for Minnesota, contributing to their victorious opener.

Although Sam Darnold remains the favored starting quarterback for the regular season, McCarthy's standout performance poses a compelling consideration for the coaching staff during the upcoming week of training camp. His skillset, combined with the chemistry shown with his receiving targets, adds an intriguing element to the Vikings' quarterback competition.

The Raiders, who played many of their starters, began the game with a strong first half, taking a commanding 20-7 lead. However, the Vikings produced significant yardage of their own, but struggled in the red zone, resulting in a turnover on downs and a blocked field goal attempt by Reichard.

The Vikings' first-team offense, led by Darnold, only played one series before Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones were sidelined. While the drive showed promise, it faltered at the Raiders' 4-yard line when Nailor couldn't secure a pass in the end zone on fourth down. Darnold finished the series with 4 completions on 8 attempts for 59 yards, connecting several times with Nailor.

Defensively, the Vikings showcased their healthy starters, with the exception of Harrison Smith, Jonathan Greenard, Shaq Griffin, and Jerry Tillery who are currently recovering from injuries. Dallas Turner's impactful sack and Nwangwu's explosive touchdown run provided highlights for the Vikings' defense in the first half.

However, it was in the third quarter that McCarthy truly found his rhythm. With key conversions on third and fourth downs, he led the Vikings to back-to-back touchdown drives. McCarthy's second touchdown pass gave the Vikings a temporary lead of 21-20, which was answered by the Raiders' field goal kicker, Daniel Carlson.

Late in the third quarter, Jaren Hall took over at quarterback for the Vikings. Although he initially struggled, Hall managed to orchestrate a drive that put the Vikings in field goal range, setting up Reichard's game-winning kick.

Notably, the Vikings' rookies also made a significant impact in the game. Dallas Turner stood out with a sack, while Levi Drake Rodriguez and Bo Richter recorded sacks in their preseason debuts as well, making it a memorable day for the team's newcomers.

The Minnesota Vikings will look to build on their victorious preseason opener as they face the Cleveland Browns in their second preseason game next Saturday. The performances of McCarthy and the rookies have provided a boost of confidence for the team as they continue their preparations for the upcoming regular season.