Analysis

Minshew took his share of hits from the Ravens' aggressive defense, suffering five sacks on the afternoon. However, he and his teammates persevered, overcoming a 10-point second-half deficit to knot the game at 23 via Minshew's one-yard touchdown pass to Davante Adams with just under four minutes remaining in the game. Minshew would eventually helm a game-winning drive capped off by a Daniel Carlson field goal, recording his first win in a Raiders uniform on an afternoon when he connected with seven different targets overall. Minshew and the Raiders next do battle with the reeling Panthers at home in Week 3.

Analysis

Minshew had a decent statistical performance and effectively spread the ball between several pass catchers. His touchdown came late in the first quarter on a dumpoff to Alexander Mattison, though he managed only 100 yards on 18 attempts in the second half to stall the Raiders' offense. Minshew also had a key mistake late in the second quarter when he fumbled on an attempted pass that led directly to three points for the Chargers. Overall, Minshew has shown the ability to help skill-position players in his offense produce, though his own numbers are more likely to remain pedestrian.

Analysis

Minshew was competent but unspectacular this preseason, completing 16 of 33 passes for 212 yards in two games, without any touchdowns or turnovers. Raiders coach Antonio Pierce named the 28-year-old as his Week 1 starter Sunday, leaving Aidan O'Connell as the backup QB heading into a season opener on the road against the Chargers (Sept. 8). In the meantime, Minshew and O'Connell both will sit out the final preseason game, leaving Carter Bradley and Nathan Peterman to handle QB snaps.

Analysis

Pierce also said that Minshew's experience was the deciding factor when awarding him the starting job over second-year signal-caller Aidan O'Connell, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic. The six-year veteran has started 37 of his 49 career games compared to 10 starts with a 5-5 record for O'Connell during his rookie season in Las Vegas. Minshew was also was named to his first career Pro Bowl with Indianapolis last year, when he tossed 15 touchdowns to nine interceptions and 3,305 yards across 17 games, and he completed 16 of 33 combined passing attempts for 212 yards and one touchdown over two games so far this preseason. It's still unlikely that he figures into the team's long-term plans at quarterback, but Minshew now will lead an offense lacking in proven receiving weapons other than star wideout Davante Adams (undisclosed), as Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker should round out the starting wideouts while tight ends Brock Bowers (foot) and Michael Mayer are likely to be featured as well. The Raiders will open the season on the road Sunday, Sept. 8 versus the Chargers.

Analysis

Minshew started and played the first five possessions, but two of those ended on downs and another pair culminated in punts. The veteran signal-caller was able to helm one scoring drive, a five-play march on which Minshew had a hand in all but one yard thanks to his 48-yard strike to Tre Tucker on the first play of the possession. However, Minshew averaged just 5.2 yards on his other nine completions, and his competition for the starting job, Aidan O'Connell, had a slightly better showing that included a touchdown pass but also a pick-six. The job battle could culminate in Friday night's preseason finale against the 49ers, or head coach Antonio Pierce may opt to name his Week 1 starter prior to that date and not risk injury to either player versus San Francisco.

Analysis

Pierce presumably won't name the Week 1 starter right after Saturday's game, but it sounds like it could happen in the following days. Aidan O'Connell started the preseason opener and completed seven of nine passes for 76 yards on his lone drive, with Minshew then finishing out the first half and completing six of 12 passes for 117 yards and a TD. It was an impressive showing for the Las Vegas offense, featuring two TDs and two FGs through the first four possessions.

Analysis

Pierce said that Minshew and O'Connell will once again play at least one quarter during this upcoming game with Dallas. The two signal-callers have been splitting first-team reps throughout training camp, and, while O'Connell ultimately got the start during last Saturday's 24-23 loss to Minnesota, both quarterbacks saw relatively equal playing time, and neither appeared to separate themselves with their performances during the preseason opener. With this competition seemingly in a dead heat up to this point, it's likely that how Minshew and O'Connell perform against the Cowboys and during upcoming practices could weigh significantly in this final decision.

Analysis

While he wasn't exactly efficient, Minshew put points on the board quickly for the Raiders after taking the reins from Aidan O'Connell to begin the second quarter. Minshew tossed a 20-yard strike to DJ Turner for the game's first touchdown, then led two more scoring drives before halftime, including one capped by a two-yard TD plunge from Zamir White. The battle between O'Connell and Minshew for the Week 1 starting job would appear to be a dead heat heading into Las Vegas' next preseason contest against Dallas next Saturday.

Analysis

While both QBs are on track to see work Saturday, Pierce didn't reveal who'll take the first snaps against Minnesota. Though there's been some speculation of late that Minshew has a slight upper hand in the Raiders' signal-caller battle, for his part Pierce notes via Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com that he doesn't think "we can sit there and say somebody's won yet." With the ongoing competition in mind ahead of Saturday's contest, Pierce said, "Who goes out first and who goes out second really doesn't matter. [They will] get hopefully an equal amount of snaps and opportunity to showcase."