LAS VEGAS — Vikings football is back, even if Sunday's 2022 preseason-opening 26-20 loss against the Raiders was more about evaluating backups than anything else.

Sean Mannion started at quarterback and played Minnesota's first three offensive series. He completed his first pass for a gain of 10 to K.J. Osborn, but that drive stalled.

A three-and-out occurred on the next series, which ended with a sack.

Minnesota's starting offensive lineup of Christian Darrisaw, Ezra Cleveland, Garrett Bradbury, Jesse Davis and Brian O'Neill played the first two series.

Behind a line of Olisaemeka Udoh, Kyle Hinton, Austin Schlottmann, Ed Ingram and Blake Brandel, Mannion led an 11-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 20-yard field goal by Greg Joseph.

Mond led the Vikings on a 12-play, 79-yard drive that ended with a 23-yard field goal. He had a chance to throw his first touchdown of the preseason on a third-and-4 but was unable to hit Trishton Jackson while scrambling.

Mond later made the most of two trips to the end zone. After converting a fourth-and-5 with a 22-yard pass to Dan Chisena, Mond scrambled for a gain of 7. He hit Albert Wilson for a 2-yard touchdown two plays later.    

Wilson reeled in a 20-yard touchdown from Mond in the fourth quarter.

Mond was 9-for-14 for 119 yards with two scores and a passer rating of 130.7.

Mannion, who played an additional series in the fourth quarter, finished 8-of-12 passing for 79 yards and a passer rating of 85.1.

The Vikings announced before the game that following players were not expected to play:

4 RB Dalvin Cook, 7 CB Patrick Peterson, 8 QB Kirk Cousins, 18 WR Justin Jefferson, 19 WR Adam Thielen, 22 S Harrison Smith, 54 LB Eric Kendricks, 55 OLB Za'Darius Smith, 62 OL Chris Reed, 78 DL Jullian Taylor, 84 TE Irv Smith, Jr., 89 WR Thomas Hennigan and 99 OLB Danielle Hunter 

Here are four observations presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings:

Vets make Vikings debuts

Newcomers Harrison Phillips and Jordan Hicks joined C.J. Ham and O'Neill for the coin toss. Phillips called tails successfully, and the Vikings opted to receive.

Phillips recorded three tackles and a sack, and Hicks totaled five tackles in their Vikings debuts. Phillips had described his love for the preseason on Friday.

They then were able to watch younger players try to make the most of their opportunities, including T.Y. McGill, who recorded 2.0 sacks. Armon Watts recorded the other sack for Minnesota.

Rookies start in the secondary

First-round pick Lewis Cine started at safety in place of Harrison Smith, and second-rounder Andrew Booth, Jr., started with Cameron Dantzler, Sr.

With Peterson not playing, the Vikings moved Dantzler to left cornerback. Booth later played some reps as well.

Flag football

Booth was flagged for two infractions on one play, a 21-yard pass interference and a 15-yarder for grabbing a face mask.

Minnesota was penalized eight times for 71 yards, compared to four infractions for 29 yards against Las Vegas.

The Vikings will use those as learning opportunities this week.

One of the costliest penalties occurred on the opening drive of the second half.

Minnesota had forced Las Vegas into a three-and-out, but the punt return team had 12 players on the field. The illegal substitution gave the Raiders a new set of downs.

Nick Mullens threw a 34-yard touchdown to DJ Turner seven plays later for a 16-6 lead.

Third down a difference maker

The Vikings were just 1-for-7 on third down, including 0-for-4 in the first half. The Raiders went 8-for-17.

Minnesota's lone conversion was a 20-yard touchdown from Mond to Wilson on third-and-11 in the fourth quarter.