LAS VEGAS — The stage was set for the Vikings to prove to everybody — incliding themselves — that the nasty loss heading into the bye week was a fluke. It came in the form of a brief residency in Las Vegas, which, fittingly, featured thousands upon thousands of Vikings fans making road trip to Minnesota.

Instead, after a 12-10 loss to the Chicago Bears the last time out, the Vikings did very little to instill confidence in Sunday’s 3-0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Not that they need to apologize for a win.

The Vikings’ offense was once again nonexistent with journeyman quarterback Josh Dobbs leading the charge. It got so bad that veteran quarterback Nick Mullens came on in relief. That provided the Vikings with the spark they needed, as Mullens finished 9 of 13 passing for 83 yards, which included a big throw to rookie receiver Jordan Addison late in the game.

That connection set up kicker Greg Joseph for a 36-yard field goal that went down as the only points of the game for either team. After the Vikings took the lead in the final minutes, rookie linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. hauled in an interception to seal the deal.

Though the win improves the Vikings’ record 7-6, keeping their playoff hopes alive, perhaps the biggest storyline from the game had nothing to do with the final score. In his highly anticipated return, star receiver Justin Jefferson left the game with a chest injury and had to be taken to a local hospital for precautionary reasons. There was no immediate update provided by the team.

Additionally, right tackle Brian O’Neill and running back Alexander Mattison both left the game with ankle injuries and did not return.

The Vikings’ defense pitched a shutout to continue its incredible play as of late. Whether it was Pace pouring in his best game as a pro, or safety Josh Metellus forcing a fumble in a big moment, defensive coordinator Brian Flores consistently put his group in position to make life miserable for Raiders rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell.

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