No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza threw a touchdown pass in his preseason debut, but the Las Vegas Raiders lost 27-14 to the Arizona Cardinals. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
The game took place on August 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. Mendoza played in the first half and threw a touchdown pass, but his efficiency was low against the Cardinals' defense. In the second half, the Raiders allowed three consecutive scores, while the Cardinals' offense alternated between Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II.
Mendoza's touchdown pass came in the second quarter: he threw a 15-yard pass to Jeremiyah Love. But the Cardinals tied the game and took the lead in the third quarter. In the final minutes, the Raiders tried to come back, but the result did not change.
This was Mendoza's first official NFL game. He played for Notre Dame in college and was selected first overall in the 2026 draft. Coaches positively evaluated his debut and said they would give him a chance in upcoming games.
The Raiders continue their preseason preparation. Their next game is on August 20 against the San Francisco 49ers. Mendoza has a high chance of making the starting lineup, but competition is strong.
For the Cardinals, this win was important as they are also testing new players. Both Brissett and Minshew II played well, and newcomer Jeremiyah Love was effective in the running game.
In summary, the Raiders' defense was weak, and Mendoza lacked experience on offense. However, this is only a preseason game, so there is still room for adjustments.
Mendoza completed 7 of 12 passes for 89 yards in his debut. He also threw one interception. These numbers show his potential, but consistency is needed.
The Raiders' head coach praised Mendoza's work after the game and said he would continue his development. The team is now preparing for the next game, and fans are eager to see Mendoza in the starting lineup.
This game was one of the significant events of the NFL preseason. Mendoza's debut attracted much attention, as he is considered a future star of the league.
In conclusion, the Raiders lost 27-14, but Mendoza's individual performance was encouraging. Now the team will try to fix mistakes in the upcoming games.