Raiders’ Kirk Cousins Shows Promise in Preseason as Rookie Mendoza Faces Challenges
The Las Vegas Raiders opted to start Kirk Cousins at quarterback this season while allowing Fernando Mendoza to learn from the sidelines. Early results from the preseason suggest this decision may be validated.
Cousins showcased his skills in two preseason games, demonstrating confidence in new head coach Klint Kubiak’s offense. In a recent matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, Cousins executed two successful drives, leading the team to field goals on both possessions. Mendoza, the first pick in this year’s NFL Draft, also had moments of brilliance but struggled, throwing an interception for the second consecutive game.
Mendoza’s second pass of the game resulted in an interception after he attempted a risky throw to Jalen Nailor that went off the receiver’s hands, allowing a defender to make the catch. This marked Mendoza’s second interception of the preseason; his first was a pick-six during last week’s game against the Texans.
Throughout the first half, Mendoza faced challenges, being sacked twice and accumulating only 38 passing yards. He managed four drives before halftime: two ended with a punt, another with an interception, and the Raiders concluded the half with a field goal.
Despite these struggles, the Raiders appear optimistic about their starting offense and Mendoza’s potential development. The preseason has provided various learning opportunities for the rookie quarterback.
Raiders’ Starting Offense Proves Productive
In their first preseason game, the Raiders utilized their starting offense, although tight end Brock Bowers did not participate. Bowers was targeted by Cousins on his first two passes in the recent game, indicating his significance for the upcoming season. Rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. started in place of the injured Ashton Jeanty, recording five carries for 20 yards on the first drive and following up with three more carries for 29 yards on the second series. Washington’s performance was promising, yet the team faced a risk with his workload given Jeanty’s uncertain status for the season opener.
Cousins excelled during his initial drive, effectively distributing the ball and completing four out of five passes for 45 yards, leading the Raiders to a field goal. He continued his strong performance into another series, orchestrating yet another successful field goal drive.
In total, Cousins completed 8 of 11 passes for 51 yards before exiting after two drives. The Raiders scored points on all three of his preseason possessions. While his performance was solid, it reinforced the team’s strategy to start him in Week 1.
Mendoza Receives Extended Playing Time
Following Cousins, Mendoza faced immediate pressure, completing a pass to Jalen Nailor under duress. Unfortunately, he then threw an unnecessary interception on his next drive. Subsequently, Mendoza’s second series yielded no results as he faced a three-and-out.
However, he managed to initiate a field-goal drive late in the half, benefiting from a defensive pass interference that gained 26 yards. Mendoza ended the first half with 5 of 9 passes for 38 yards, leading to a passer rating of 26.4, a stark contrast to his more comfortable debut in earlier preseason outings.
Continuing to play into the third quarter, Mendoza’s first pass soared too high, again leading to an incomplete attempt. He recovered somewhat, moving the ball into field-goal territory before the attempt failed. Aidan O’Connell took over late in the third quarter, capping Mendoza’s performance at 7 of 14 for 57 yards.
The preseason has offered Mendoza valuable experience, reinforcing the Raiders’ initial plan for him to take time to develop his skills.
The Las Vegas Raiders decided months ago that they preferred Kirk Cousins starting the season at quarterback while Fernando Mendoza sat and learned.
Based on preseason results, it seems like that might be a reasonable call.
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Cousins played in two of the Raiders’ preseason games and generally looked sharp and confident in new coach Klint Kubiak’s offense. He played two possessions on on Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers and the Raiders got a field goal on each of them. Mendoza, the first pick of this year’s NFL Draft, had some good preseason moments too but he threw an interception for the second straight game and generally struggled.
Mendoza’s second pass of the game was an interception. Mendoza tried to squeeze a pass over the 49ers’ linebackers dropping into coverage and it was high to Jalen Nailor. The pass went off Nailor’s hands and was picked off. That was Mendoza’s second interception of the preseason. The first was a pick 6 in last week’s game against the Texans.
Mendoza was sacked twice and had just 38 passing yards in the first half. He had four drives before halftime: two ended with a punt, one with an interception and then the Raiders got a field goal before halftime.
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The Raiders should be pleased with what they saw out of their starting offense, and also the potential of Mendoza. They also had some teaching moments for Mendoza in the preseason.
Raiders starters move the ball
The Raiders used the starting offense in their first preseason game, and didn’t use any starters in the second game. But the first game didn’t include tight end Brock Bowers. Bowers was targeted on Cousins’ first two passes, which is probably a sign of things to come this season. Rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. got the start instead of injured Ashton Jeanty. He got five carries for 20 yards on the first series. He got three more carries for 29 yards on the second drive. Washington looked good, though it was risky to give any back that many carries with Jeanty’s status for the opener uncertain.
As he did in the first preseason game, Cousins was sharp on the first drive. He spread the ball around and looked comfortable in the offense. Cousins hit four of five passes for 45 yards and the Raiders got a field goal. Cousins stayed in for another series after that, and led another field goal drive.
Kirk Cousins played two series in the Raiders’ preseason finale. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
(Ian Maule via Getty Images)
Cousins was done after two drives. He was 8 of 11 for just 51 yards but the offense was productive. He played three possessions in the preseason and the Raiders scored points on all three of them. He wasn’t great but it was a reasonable outing, and certainly didn’t give the Raiders a second thought on their plan to start him in Week 1.
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A year after the Raiders struggled to do anything right, the offense looks like it could be much more competitive.
Fernando Mendoza gets more playing time
Mendoza came in after Cousins and immediately got hit. He rolled to his left, turned his hips and got a pass out just as he got hit. Jalen Nailor made a nice one-handed catch. Then came the interception, which was a forced pass that was an unnecessary risk.
The second series didn’t go anywhere as Mendoza threw incomplete on second down and was sacked on third down. The Raiders went three-and-out and punted.
Mendoza did get a field-goal drive going at the end of the half, and the biggest play was a defensive pass interference that gained 26 yards. Mendoza went 5 of 9 for just 38 yards in the first half. His passer rating was 26.4. It was a stark contrast to Mendoza’s preseason debut, when he looked comfortable and made plays.
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Mendoza played into the third quarter. His first pass should have been a short, easy completion but he threw it too high and it went off his intended receiver’s hands. He calmed down after that and drove the team into field-goal range, though the field goal missed. Mendoza was done after that, as Aidan O’Connell took over late in the third quarter. Mendoza’s final line was 7 of 14 for 57 yards.
Mendoza should be fine over time. But the Raiders had a plan to let him sit and wait for a while. Mendoza provided some reasons why over the preseason.
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