Fernando Mendoza shows promise in Raiders' preseason loss to Cardinals
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 14, 2026, 9:52 PM
Last updated Aug 14, 2026
The Las Vegas Raiders lost 27-14 to the Arizona Cardinals in their preseason opener on August 13, 2026. No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza made his debut, completing 10 of 16 passes for 96 yards as he played primarily with the second-team offense. The game featured a touchdown connection between Mendoza and Jack Bech, who was instrumental in keeping the game competitive. Coach Klint Kubiak expressed optimism about Mendoza's performance and indicated he would continue getting repetitions in the preseason, though Kirk Cousins remains the starting quarterback. The Raiders need to address their penalties, having committed eight for 75 yards during the game.
- •Raiders lose to Cardinals 27-14 in preseason opener
- •Mendoza throws touchdown pass, goes 10 of 16 for 96 yards
- •Kirk Cousins remains on track to start Week 1
- •Raiders commit eight penalties for 75 yards
- •First-team defense struggles against Cardinals' offense
- 9:52 PMYahoo Sports — Fernando Mendoza dives into video study after Raiders' loss in preseason opener
- 5:53 AMYahoo Sports — Breaking down Fernando Mendoza's Raiders preseason debut
- 2:57 AMYahoo Sports — Fernando Mendoza makes some plays in Raiders’ preseason debut
"Rather than go out and blow off steam after his first NFL preseason game Thursday night, Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza had something else in mind. “I have nothing else to really do tonight,” Mendoza said. Mendoza completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown to Jack Bech.
"We look a the tape and go through each of Fernando Mendoza's passes in his debut on Thursday night to see how he did.
"A breakdown of Las Vegas’ preseason loss to Arizona
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 14, 2026, 9:52 PMFernando Mendoza dives into video study after Raiders' loss in preseason opener
Rather than go out and blow off steam after his first NFL preseason game Thursday night, Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza had something else in mind. “I have nothing else to really do tonight,” Mendoza said. Mendoza completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown to Jack Bech.
- Yahoo SportsAug 14, 2026, 5:53 AMBreaking down Fernando Mendoza's Raiders preseason debut
We look a the tape and go through each of Fernando Mendoza's passes in his debut on Thursday night to see how he did.
- Yahoo SportsAug 14, 2026, 2:57 AMFernando Mendoza makes some plays in Raiders’ preseason debut
A breakdown of Las Vegas’ preseason loss to Arizona
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