No. 1 Pick Fernando Mendoza Shows Promise as Raiders Fall 27-14 to Cardinals/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Top overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza threw a touchdown pass in his preseason debut as the Las Vegas Raiders lost 27-14 to Arizona. Mendoza completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards while leading one touchdown drive across four series. Cardinals quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew combined for three first-half touchdowns, while rookie Jeremiyah Love rushed for 58 yards.
Quick Look
- Arizona defeated Las Vegas 27-14 Thursday night.
- Fernando Mendoza completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards.
- He threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Jack Bech.
- Mendoza became the first No. 1 pick since Baker Mayfield in 2018 to throw a touchdown in his first preseason game.
- Raiders starter Kirk Cousins completed 5 of 6 passes for 50 yards and a touchdown.
- Jacoby Brissett went 5 of 5 for 44 yards and one touchdown.
- Brissett and Gardner Minshew opened the game with 15 consecutive completions.
- Arizona rookie Jeremiyah Love rushed for 58 yards on 11 carries.
- Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck sat out with sore ribs.
- Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby did not play.
- Cardinals guard Chase Bisontis sustained an apparently serious left knee injury.
Deep Look
Mendoza throws touchdown in first NFL preseason appearance
LAS VEGAS — No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza threw a touchdown pass in his NFL preseason debut Thursday night, but the Las Vegas Raiders lost 27-14 to the Arizona Cardinals.
The Heisman Trophy winner played four series for the Raiders, excluding a kneel-down at the end of the first half. He guided Las Vegas on one touchdown drive and finished 10 of 16 passing for 97 yards.
Mendoza connected with Jack Bech for a 6-yard touchdown.
Mendoza delivers a critical self-assessment
Despite producing a touchdown in his debut, Mendoza was less satisfied with his own performance.
Mendoza became the first No. 1 overall selection to throw a touchdown pass in his opening preseason game since Baker Mayfield threw two for the Cleveland Browns against the New York Giants in 2018.
Rookie narrowly misses second touchdown
Mendoza came close to throwing another touchdown in the fourth quarter, but his pass sailed beyond the reach of Deven Thompkins.
He also displayed his arm talent during the second quarter when he threaded a 19-yard completion between three defenders to fellow rookie Malik Benson.
Mendoza said the play demonstrated good timing with his receiver, but he acknowledged that several other passes lacked the same precision.
Anticipated championship rematch does not happen
The game was expected to feature a rematch between the quarterbacks from the most recent college football national championship game.
That matchup did not materialize because Arizona chose to rest Carson Beck, who is dealing with sore ribs.
Mendoza led Indiana to a 27-21 victory over Beck and Miami in January’s national championship game.
Crosby remains sidelined following knee surgery
Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby also did not play.
His absence was not entirely unexpected after Kubiak said Tuesday that Crosby’s availability for the preseason game had yet to be determined.
Crosby underwent knee surgery in January but has participated in Las Vegas’ training camp.
McCoy returns after nearly two years
Raiders cornerback Jermod McCoy returned to game action after missing nearly two years because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
McCoy played with Las Vegas’ second-team defense. He was the primary defender in coverage on two Arizona touchdowns.
Starting quarterbacks lead touchdown drives
Each team’s starting quarterback played one series, and both possessions ended with touchdowns.
Las Vegas starter Kirk Cousins completed 5 of 6 passes for 50 yards. He finished the drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Michael Mayer.
Arizona starter Jacoby Brissett completed all five of his attempts for 44 yards and connected with Marvin Harrison Jr. for a 7-yard touchdown.
Cardinals quarterbacks begin with 15 straight completions
Brissett and former Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew combined to complete all 15 of their first-half passes.
They totaled 123 passing yards and three touchdowns before halftime, helping Arizona build a 21-14 lead.
The completion streak reached 16 early in the second half. Minshew finally ended the run when he threw incomplete while rolling to his right.
Love rushes for 58 yards in debut
Jeremiyah Love, selected by Arizona with the third overall pick, made his preseason debut.
The rookie running back rushed for 58 yards on 11 carries.
LaFleur later said he did not believe an ankle injury sustained by Love was a significant concern.
Injury report
Cardinals rookie right guard Chase Bisontis injured his left knee during the game. The second-round draft pick’s injury appeared serious, according to LaFleur.
Love also dealt with an ankle issue, but Arizona’s coach indicated that it was not expected to be major.
Up next
The Cardinals will host the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 22.
The Raiders will visit the Houston Texans next Thursday.
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