No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza threw a touchdown pass in his preseason debut for the Las Vegas Raiders during a 27-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night. The Heisman Trophy winner led the offense to one scoring drive across four series, not including a kneel-down at the end of the first half. He finished the game completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards.
Mendoza connected with Jack Bech for a 6-yard touchdown score. This performance made him the first top overall draft selection to throw a touchdown pass in his first preseason game since 2018, when Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield threw two against the New York Giants. The rookie quarterback showed flashes of precision throughout the evening, threading a 19-yard pass in the second quarter between three defenders to fellow rookie Malik Benson.
He nearly found the end zone again in the fourth quarter but threw just beyond the reach of Deven Thompkins. While the overall result was a loss, the playing time Mendoza received highlights a distinct philosophy for handling high-value assets. Unlike some franchises that strictly limit their franchise quarterback’s exposure to live contact in August, the Raiders clearly prioritized game rhythm over preservation, allowing the rookie to face complex defensive looks and sustain a drive deep into the opponent’s territory.
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Missing Matchup and Key Absences
The expected rematch of college football national championship quarterbacks did not take place. The Cardinals decided not to play Carson Beck, who is dealing with sore ribs. Mendoza had previously led Indiana to a 27-21 victory over Beck and Miami in the title game this past January. Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby also did not play, a decision that was not completely unexpected after coach Klint Kubiak said earlier in the week that his status was to be determined. Crosby underwent knee surgery in January but has participated in training camp.
Cornerback Jermod McCoy saw significant action for the Raiders. The player hasn’t appeared in a game in nearly two years because of a torn ACL. He played with the second-team defense and was the primary defender on two Cardinals touchdowns.
Efficient Offensive Starts
Each team’s starting quarterback played one series, and both drives ended in touchdowns. Las Vegas veteran Kirk Cousins was efficient, going 5 of 6 for 50 yards and a 13-yard touchdown pass to Michael Mayer. Arizona’s Jacoby Brissett completed all five of his passes for 44 yards and a 7-yard touchdown to Marvin Harrison Jr.
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The Cardinals passing attack operated with high efficiency throughout the first half. Brissett and former Raider Gardner Minshew combined to complete their first 15 passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns, building a 21-14 lead. That string of completions extended to 16 early in the second half before Minshew finally threw an incomplete pass on a rollout to the right.
Rookie Jeremiyah Love, drafted third overall by the Cardinals, made his preseason debut and rushed for 58 yards on 11 carries. Arizona did suffer a potential loss on the offensive line when rookie right guard Chase Bisontis was injured early in the third quarter. The second-round draft pick grabbed his left knee before leaving the field.
The Cardinals will host Dallas on Aug. 22. The Raiders are scheduled to play at Houston next Thursday.