The Raiders completed a comeback in Week 2 and Gardner Minshew made some history
Things were looking bleak for Gardner Minshew and the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2, facing a 10-point deficit in the second half. They were staring down a 0-2 start to the season before Minshew Magic kicked in.
The Raiders were able to rally and erase that 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Ravens 13-7. They got a Gardner Minshew to Davante Adams touchdown to tie the game late, then their defense forced a punt, setting them up with good field position.
With Daniel Carlson drilling a 38-yard field goal with under a minute left, it gave the Raiders the 26-23 win and a 1-1 record.
During the game, Gardner Minshew was sacked five times as the Ravens were able to get pressure on him early and often. But even with the sacks, he got the win and became the first Raiders’ quarterback to win a game despite being sacked five times since Andrew Walter in Week 8 of the 2006 season as Paul Gutierrez points out:
Gardner Minshew is 1st #Raiders starting QB to win despite being sacked 5 times in a game since Andrew Walter in Week 8 of 2006 vs the #Steelers, per @ESPNStatsInfo
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) September 15, 2024
That’s pretty damn impressive.
Minshew finished the game 30 of 38 for 276 yards, a touchdown and an interception helping lead them to a big win in Week 2. The Raiders really needed this win after losing last week and avoided starting in a 0-2 hole.
Gardner Minshew on the big win for the Raiders
Following the game, Gardner Minshew spoke on the comeback and what it means for the team.
“It felt great, man,” Minshew said. “That’s what it can be. And that’s the challenge, to be consistent with that. I look forward to continuing to build on that momentum. I think everybody feels pretty great about it. The tale of the tape is coming up; we’re going to do that, but I think everybody feels and believes in what we can be as an offense.”
He also drew the praise of his head coach, Antonio Pierce which was a ringing endorsement.
“The quarterback did a heck of a job,” Pierce said. “Playing pitch and catch with one of the best receivers in the game, and a young rookie really stood out today, Brock Bowers. I thought it was a really good job of our guys being resilient, having a hard-hat mentality and keeping their composure.”
The Raiders will return home and host the Carolina Panthers in their home opener in Week 3.
