Raiders rally past Texans 22-20; Mendoza's first NFL start a learning night
Las Vegas erased a deficit to beat Houston 22-20 in preseason action, with rookie QB Fernando Mendoza getting his first pro start and coach Klint Kubiak still declining to name a Week 1 starter.
The Las Vegas Raiders stormed back to beat the Houston Texans 22-20 in their preseason meeting, a game that doubled as rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza's first NFL start. Mendoza took extensive reps and flashed, but a pick-six punctuated a night the staff will mine for teaching points.
Sam Warren (@samwarren83): Final: Raiders win 22-20. Fernando Mendoza got extensive work again. His night looks a lot better if those two balls to Malik Benson are completed. But the pick 6 stands out. The run defense stays a concern. And the penalties have to be cleaned up. Plenty to learn from.
Mendoza's evening would have looked far cleaner had a pair of throws to receiver Malik Benson connected, but the interception returned for a score is the play that will stick. The rookie, who learned this week that even the smallest mistake in the NFL can become "a catastrophe," drew public backing from star pass rusher Maxx Crosby after the turnover — part of what beat writers framed as an intentional growth exercise for the young quarterback.
Coach Klint Kubiak, who sat veteran Kirk Cousins on the night, still would not name a Week 1 starter. "We got another week," Kubiak said. "I don't want anyone to be comfortable in their job." That deliberateness extends a quarterback competition into the final preseason week.
Sam Warren (@samwarren83): Klint Kubiak is still not ready to officially name the Raiders Week 1 starting quarterback despite not playing Kirk Cousins tonight. "We got another week. I don't want anyone to be comfortable in their job."
Beyond the quarterbacks, the Raiders left with two familiar concerns: the run defense drew repeated questions, and the penalty count needs cleaning up before the games count. Vinny Bonsignore of the New York Post liked the decision to hand Mendoza the start but questioned that it did not come with the first-team offense, a theme he carried through his game column. There is plenty to learn from, as the beat noted — and exactly one week to do it.