Top draft pick Fernando Mendoza struggled in his second preseason appearance on Thursday night, throwing an 80-yard pick-six to Wade Woodaz before the Las Vegas Raiders rallied late to secure a 22-20 victory over the Houston Texans.
Fantasy & Market Impact
- Raiders Backfield Depth: With Ashton Jeanty resting, depth options like Dylan Laube and former Texan Dare Ogunbowale continue to flash in short-yardage and red-zone packages.
- Late-Game Resilience: Aidan O’Connell engineered the comeback, punching in a 1-yard tush push with 14 seconds remaining to lock up the preseason win.
The Tape on Mendoza’s Rough First Half
Following a solid debut against Arizona playing behind Kirk Cousins, the Heisman Trophy winner and Indiana national champion hit a harsh rookie wall against Houston’s second-string defense. The defining sequence arrived early when Mendoza’s third pass of the evening sailed high, allowing Wade Woodaz to jump the route. Woodaz intercepted the ball and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown to stretch Houston’s lead to 14-0. Mendoza chased the play down, but Woodaz shoved him aside near the 15-yard line to cap the score.
But the tape tells a different story about the supporting cast and pocket pressure. Mendoza played five total series, absorbing a sack and taking several heavy hits behind an offensive line missing key starters. He managed to lead the unit to just a single field goal—a 52-yard kick by Matt Gay—before handing the reins to Aidan O’Connell for the second half.
Roster Maneuvers and Notable Preseason Absences
Both coaching staffs opted to protect significant firepower. According to CBS Sports, the Raiders rested the majority of their frontline players, including Kirk Cousins, defensive end Maxx Crosby, running back Ashton Jeanty, and tight end Brock Bowers. On the opposing sideline, C.J. Stroud played just a single series for the Texans, completing 4 of 6 passes for 27 yards and setting up a 20-yard rushing touchdown by Woody Marks.
Here is what the analytics missed regarding veteran integration: Houston defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft, logged action for the entire first half after sitting out the previous week. Clowney, who rejoined the Texans on a one-year deal after posting 8.5 sacks with the Dallas Cowboys last season, recorded a tackle and a quarterback hurry.
Depth Chart Data & Key Game Statistics
| Metric / Player | Las Vegas Raiders | Houston Texans |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 22 | 20 |
| Starting / Featured QB Stats | Fernando Mendoza: 8/15, 86 YDS, 0 TD, 1 INT | C.J. Stroud: 4/6, 27 YDS |
| Key Scoring Plays | Dylan Laube (4-yd run), Dare Ogunbowale (19-yd run), Aidan O’Connell (1-yd run) | Woody Marks (20-yd run), Wade Woodaz (80-yd INT return) |
| Field Goals | Matt Gay (52-yd) | Ka’imi Fairbairn (51-yd, 57-yd) |
Late-Game Heroics and Injury Updates
Trailing 20-10 in the third quarter, Las Vegas chipped away. Dylan Laube found the end zone on a 4-yard run with five minutes remaining in the frame, and Dare Ogunbowale added a 19-yard scoring scamper late in the fourth quarter. Though kicker Kansei Matsuzawa struggled with consistency, missing two extra-point attempts, Aidan O’Connell rescued the night. O’Connell powered through a 1-yard tush push with just 14 seconds left on the clock to seal the 22-20 comeback win.
Health remains the primary concern heading into the final week of August exhibitions. Raiders linebacker Buddy Johnson exited early in the third quarter with a shoulder injury before managing to return in the fourth. More critically, cornerback Chigozie Anusiem was carted off the field in the third quarter with a knee injury.
The Raiders return home to host San Francisco next Thursday night for their preseason finale, while the Texans travel to face Carolina on August 28.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
