The Las Vegas Raiders played at the Houston Texans on Thursday night in a 22-20 win at the Houston Texans. Here are some highlights:
As expected, the Raiders starting offense didn’t play. That is a strong indication that Kirk Cousins is very much the expected starter for Week 1. The only starter to play with rookie Fernando Mendoza was wide receiver Jalen Nailor. Playing against Houston’s second-string offense (the Texans gave their starters the night off after their dominant performance against the Raiders in the joint
practice Tuesday) Mendoza hit Nailor for a 22-yard gainer.
But the drive went sour for Mendoza when he threw an 80-yard Pick Six to rookie linebacker Wade Woodaz. Mendoza threw the ball behind his target. It was a bad throw by the rookie.
After some struggles, Mendoza hit fellow rookie Malik Benson for an 18-yard completion. They have build a good chemistry this summer. Benson did have two drops later in the quarter. He will have to prove he can deliver in the regular season.
Mendoza, who was under a lot of pressure behind the No. 2 offensive line, had some issues, but did connect on six straight passes at one point. He was facing the Texans’ third-string defense some in the second quarter.
He didn’t play after the first half. He completed 8 of 15 passes for 86 yards with the one interception. His quarterback rating was 42.6.
It wasn’t a great night for the No. 1 overall pick. He was better last week against Arizona. But it’s a learning process. It will be interesting to see how much he plays next week in the preseason finale against San Francisco. While there had been some media momentum that Mendoza, who played a lot under center with a weak offensive line, could steal the starting job for Week 1, but it seems like Cousins is still very much the leader for the job.
The Raiders’ first-unit defense didn’t play after having a rough go of it in the preseason opener against Arizona last week and in a joint practice at Houston on Tuesday. Star defensive end Maxx Crosby didn’t play last week and likely won’t play again until the season opener at home against the Miami Dolphins on September 13. Crosby is returning from a knee surgery and he has been working every day at training camp and he did work against the Texans on Tuesday.
The Texans got the ball first and most of their starters, including quarterback C.J. Stroud, were in the field. Cornerback Darien Porter was the Raiders’ only possible starter on defense. Other Raiders’ starters included defensive end Malcolm Koonce, and rookies, cornerback Zeke Masses and safety Treydan Stukes.
The Texans ate up the Raiders on the ground early. It was predictable because the Raiders’ ground defense has been bad this summer and Houston starting tailback Woody Marks was playing and he finished the drive with a 20-yard touchdown run, with several broken tackles, against the Raiders’ overmatched second unit. Stroud beat Porter on third and 11 on the first drive. Las Vegas defensive coordinator Rob Leonard was blitzing some, but the Raiders couldn’t generate much pressure early.
The Raiders’ deep backups came back from a 20-3 deficit, capped by a 98-yard drive led by Aidan O’Connell in the final 97 seconds of the game. O’Connell, a very strong No. 3 quarterback, was 15 of 24 passing for 166 yards. Drives like that could help the Raiders trade O’Connell by the August 30 53-man roster deadline if they wish.
The kicking battle is probably over. Veteran Matt Gay hit a 52-yard field goal in the second quarter. He is leading the battle with rookie Kansie Matsuzawa, who really hurt himself with two missed extra points, following a poor showing last week. It’s very likely Gay will win the kicking job. Matsuzawa could stick around on the practice squad.
The Texans’ second-team offense took over on their second drive. So, the only team either team had most of their starters on the field was when Houston’s offense had the first drive of the game.
Rookie running back Mike Washington continued to flash with a 33-yard run. He has been great this summer and will get playing time.
Rookie cornerback Jermod McCoy had a great play in the second quarter, but was called for taunting (yes, it was a weak call). But his coverage was vital after a rough game last week, his first since injuring his knee in 2024.
Jordan Meredith was the Raiders’ starting center.
The Raiders continued to be sloppy with nine penalties. They have 17 in two games.
Defensive end Patrick Johnson has flashed big time and had a big strip sack, and could maybe be a bubble player.
Stukes and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (who struggled last week) made some plays. Stukes, a second-round pick, really stood out after a slow training camp. It will be interesting to see how much he plays early in the regular season.
Dylan Laube was a factor as a receiver out of the backfield and then scored on a 4-yard run in the third quarter. He has a strong chance to stick around on the 53-man roster again.
The Texans were 6 of 8 on third down and had seven plays of 10 or more yards in the first half.
Raiders’ defensive lineman Thomas Booker had a sack in the second quarter.
The Raiders’ backups ran well and former Texans’ running back Dare Ogunbowale
Linebacker Buddy Johnson suffered a shoulder injury. The Cart came out for cornerback Chigozie Anusiem, who had a knee injury. It did nto look for good the player, who was facing an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster.
Newly signed defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi was active late in the game.
Jack Bech, Porter and A.J. Cole were the Raiders’ captains in the game.
Reserve pass-rushers Jahfari Harvey and Cian Slone played well. Slone has had a good preseason.
