Raiders score late to secure 22-20 preseason victory over Texans
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 21, 2026, 8:00 AM
Last updated Aug 21, 2026
The Las Vegas Raiders rallied late to defeat the Houston Texans 22-20 in a preseason game on Thursday night. Raiders' top draft pick Fernando Mendoza struggled, throwing an interception returned for a touchdown. Houston led early, with C.J. Stroud scoring on his first drive. The Raiders managed to close the gap with a touchdown and a field goal late in the game, securing the win. Both teams rested several starters during the matchup.
- •Fernando Mendoza went 8 of 15 for 86 yards in his second preseason game.
- •Mendoza's interception was returned 80 yards for a touchdown by Wade Woodaz.
- •C.J. Stroud scored a touchdown on his only series for the Texans.
- •Dylan Laube's 4-yard touchdown run narrowed the gap for the Raiders.
- •Both teams rested key players, including Kirk Cousins and Maxx Crosby.
- 8:00 AMYahoo Sports — “Knew He Would Be a Bust,” “This Isn’t College Anymore”: NFL Fans Mock Fernando Mendoza for Throwing Bad Interception vs. Texans
- 5:30 AMYahoo Sports — Raiders rally late for a 22-20 preseason win over Texans
"Top draft pick Fernando Mendoza struggled in his second preseason game, throwing an interception that Houston returned for a touchdown before the Las Vegas Raiders rallied late for a 22-20 victory over the Texans on Thursday night. Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner who led Indiana to a national title, played the first half and went 8 of 15 for 86 yards. The performance came after he threw a touchdown pass in his preseason debut last week against Arizona playing behind Kirk Cousins.
"The Las Vegas Raiders and rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza took the field for the second time on Thursday night, facing the Houston Texans in Week 2 of the preseason. The Raiders were favored to win the game, but with DeMeco Ryans deciding to play Houston’s starters for a limited number of snaps, the Texans’ defense proved too much for Mendoza.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 21, 2026, 8:00 AM“Knew He Would Be a Bust,” “This Isn’t College Anymore”: NFL Fans Mock Fernando Mendoza for Throwing Bad Interception vs. Texans
The Las Vegas Raiders and rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza took the field for the second time on Thursday night, facing the Houston Texans in Week 2 of the preseason. The Raiders were favored to win the game, but with DeMeco Ryans deciding to play Houston’s starters for a limited number of snaps, the Texans’ defense proved too much for Mendoza.
- Yahoo SportsAug 21, 2026, 5:30 AMRaiders rally late for a 22-20 preseason win over Texans
Top draft pick Fernando Mendoza struggled in his second preseason game, throwing an interception that Houston returned for a touchdown before the Las Vegas Raiders rallied late for a 22-20 victory over the Texans on Thursday night. Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner who led Indiana to a national title, played the first half and went 8 of 15 for 86 yards. The performance came after he threw a touchdown pass in his preseason debut last week against Arizona playing behind Kirk Cousins.
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