Fernando Mendoza often speaks optimistically, and he took that approach following his Las Vegas Raiders’ win over the Houston Texans, which came despite an uneven outing from the No. 1 overall pick.
He completed just over 50% of his passes for 86 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 interception, and 1 sack taken against a Texans defense resting its starters.
Mendoza chose to focus on the result, which came long after his exit from the contest.
Texans Get After Fernando Mendoza in Raiders Win
GettyFernando Mendoza had a rough night against the Texans’ defense.
The only starter to play for the Texans’ defense was safety Reed Blankenship, who logged 11 snaps, per Pro Football Focus. That was the fewest among the first 11 players out for the Texans against Mendoza and the Raiders.
“Thought the game was fantastic because we won. At the end of the day, the win is all that matters,” Mendoza told reporters on August 20. “We did a great job there on offense and defense, playing complementary football in the fourth quarter to dig us out of some mistakes, and we ended up winning the game.”
Mendoza gave way to former Raiders starter Aidan O’Connell at halftime trailing 20-3.
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Despite being able to fall back on the team aspect, Mendoza did not mince words about the lessons he learned from facing the Texans’ defense this week.
“There’s a lot of more learning to do,” Mendoza said. “And that although, maybe, you had a lot of success at another level, this level is a whole step further, and that the margins are so small. And that one tiny mistake can lead to catastrophe. So, want to make sure that [I] best serve my teammates and get better from these experiences.”
Kayden McDonald Gets Payback Against Fernando Mendoza
GettyKayden McDonald enjoyed getting his first sack against Fernando Mendoza.
Mendoza said he felt “more composed” this week than in his debut, though not having to face Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter likely factored into that comfort. The Texans still made Mendoza feel their “S.W.A.R.M” mentality.
Texans defensive tackle Kayden McDonald relished recording his first sack against Mendoza.
Mendoza’s Indiana Hoosiers defeated McDonald’s Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big 10 Championship during the 2025 season before winning the national title.
“It feels great. Feels like a lot of work has been put in for that sack, and just going to continue to get better,” McDonald told reporters in the Texans’ locker room after the game. “I had to get that one back from the Big 10 Championship. But just trusting my technique and making the play when your numbers called.”
McDonald said that he did not trash talk Mendoza, saying, “Just get back and play again. It’s a long game. Got to take it one snap at a time,” before tipping his cap to Mendoza despite the rough outing.
“He’s a competitor,” McDonald said. “He won a national championship, first pick of the draft. He’s right where he need to be.”
That said, McDonald also believes his play sent a strong message.
Mendoza noted that he and the Raiders coaching staff have identified that he needs to improve his pocket movement, another lesson that might have been even more glaringly obvious had the Texans played their full starting lineup on defense.
Fernando Mendoza Breaks Down Wade Woodaz’s Pick-6
GettyWade Woodaz helped make it difficult for Fernando Mendoza in the Texans’ loss to the Raiders.
Before that sack, Mendoza threw a pick-6 to Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz. Woodaz did not have any revenge to exact, but he still made Mendoza pay on one of his mistakes in the game.
“It was a play-action play, and went through my progression,” Mendoza said. “Probably should have checked it down to the flat. Saw the flat player relate to him. And at that point, I started backing up and threw the check down to Mike Washington, and it was not a good throw. We weren’t on the same page, and it was a interception.”
Woodaz was unavailable after the game due to a thumb injury, one of the few unfortunate outcomes of the Texans facing the Raiders with Mendoza at the helm. The Texans will close out the preseason next week against the Carolina Panthers after another joint practice.
Fernando Mendoza Faces Facts After Texans Player Gets Payback