Fernando Mendoza throws touchdown in Raiders' loss to Cardinals
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 14, 2026, 3:44 AM
Last updated Aug 14, 2026

The Las Vegas Raiders faced the Arizona Cardinals in their preseason opener on Thursday at Allegiant Stadium, ultimately losing 27-14. No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza made his NFL debut, completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and throwing a six-yard touchdown to Jack Bech. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins also played well, leading an opening touchdown drive. Although the Raiders tied the game at 14, Arizona scored two additional touchdowns and maintained control in the second half. The performance provided the Raiders with a promising glimpse of their new quarterback tandem.
- •Raiders lose to Cardinals 27-14 on August 14 in preseason opener
- •Kirk Cousins leads opening touchdown drive for Raiders
- •Fernando Mendoza records one touchdown in debut
- •Mendoza passes for 97 yards with 10 completions
- •Arizona pulls away in second half, scoring twice
- 3:44 AMThe Guardian Sport — No 1 pick Fernando Mendoza throws for touchdown in Las Vegas Raiders preseason debut
- 3:20 AMYahoo Sports — Fernando Mendoza Debuts With a Touchdown as Raiders Fall to Cardinals
"Heisman winner finishes 10 of 16 for 97 yards Arizona beat Las Vegas 27-14 on Thursday night Love rushes for 58 yards in Cardinals debut No 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza threw a touchdown pass in his preseason debut for the Las Vegas Raiders in a 27-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night. The Heisman Trophy winner led one touchdown drive for the Raiders (1-0) in four series – not including a kneel-down at the end of the first half – and finished 10 of 16 for 97 yards and a six-yard TD pass to Jack Bech. Continue reading...
"The Las Vegas Raiders opened the preseason with plenty of excitement surrounding their new-look quarterback room, but Thursday night ended with a 27-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at Allegiant Stadium. For Raiders fans, however, the final score wasn’t the only story. The night marked the first NFL game for Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1…
Sources
External links- The Guardian SportAug 14, 2026, 3:44 AMNo 1 pick Fernando Mendoza throws for touchdown in Las Vegas Raiders preseason debut
Heisman winner finishes 10 of 16 for 97 yards Arizona beat Las Vegas 27-14 on Thursday night Love rushes for 58 yards in Cardinals debut No 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza threw a touchdown pass in his preseason debut for the Las Vegas Raiders in a 27-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night. The Heisman Trophy winner led one touchdown drive for the Raiders (1-0) in four series – not including a kneel-down at the end of the first half – and finished 10 of 16 for 97 yards and a six-yard TD pass to Jack Bech. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsAug 14, 2026, 3:20 AMFernando Mendoza Debuts With a Touchdown as Raiders Fall to Cardinals
The Las Vegas Raiders opened the preseason with plenty of excitement surrounding their new-look quarterback room, but Thursday night ended with a 27-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at Allegiant Stadium. For Raiders fans, however, the final score wasn’t the only story. The night marked the first NFL game for Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1…
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NFL•Aug 14, 2026, 4:27 AMRaiders get first dose of lessons after coming up short in preseason opener against Arizona
NFL•Aug 14, 2026, 4:12 AM‘Might As Well Trade Maxx Crosby to The Cowboys Now’ — Insider Pushes Dallas to Pounce as Raiders Get Crushed in Preseason Game 1
NFL•Aug 14, 2026, 4:12 AMForgotten Commanders Edge Is Impressing Daronte Jones
NFL•Aug 14, 2026, 4:00 AMWhat Happened to Jeremiyah Love? NFL Fans React to Cardinals Rookie Sensation’s Injury in Preseason Debut
NFL•Aug 14, 2026, 3:47 AMRaiders’ preseason opener takeaways: Fernando Mendoza looks ready
NFL•Aug 14, 2026, 3:40 AMTST Images: Arizona Cardinals defeat Las Vegas Raiders, 27-14, at Allegiant Stadium
