Raiders Rally Past Texans 22-20 After Fernando Mendoza’s Rough Start/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza struggled in the first half, throwing an interception returned 80 yards for a touchdown. The Raiders recovered from a 14-point deficit and defeated the Texans 22-20 on Aidan O’Connell’s touchdown with 14 seconds remaining. C.J. Stroud played one series for Houston and led the Texans to an opening touchdown.
Quick Look
- Las Vegas defeated Houston 22-20.
- Fernando Mendoza completed 8 of 15 passes for 86 yards.
- Wade Woodaz returned Mendoza’s interception 80 yards for a touchdown.
- Mendoza played five series and produced one field-goal drive.
- He was sacked once and absorbed several other hits.
- Aidan O’Connell scored the winning touchdown with 14 seconds remaining.
- C.J. Stroud completed 4 of 6 passes for 27 yards.
- Woody Marks scored on a 20-yard run.
- Dare Ogunbowale had a 19-yard touchdown run for Las Vegas.
- Three field goals were made from at least 50 yards.
- Chigozie Anusiem was carted off with a knee injury.
- Both teams have one preseason game remaining.
Deep Look
Mendoza struggles in second preseason appearance
Top overall pick Fernando Mendoza endured a difficult first half before the Las Vegas Raiders rallied to defeat the Houston Texans 22-20 Thursday night.
Mendoza completed 8 of 15 passes for 86 yards and threw an interception that Houston returned for a touchdown.
The Heisman Trophy winner, who led Indiana to a national championship, played the entire first half in his second NFL preseason game.
His uneven performance followed a promising debut against Arizona, when he threw a touchdown pass while working behind Kirk Cousins.
Rookie acknowledges steep learning curve
Mendoza said the game demonstrated how much he must improve to succeed in the NFL.
He was sacked once and took several other hits while facing Houston’s second-string defense.
Across five possessions, Mendoza led the Raiders to only one field goal.
Woodaz returns interception 80 yards
Mendoza’s third pass of the game sailed high and was intercepted by Wade Woodaz.
Woodaz returned the ball 80 yards for a touchdown, extending Houston’s lead to 14-0.
Mendoza pursued him downfield, but Woodaz shoved the quarterback aside near the 15-yard line before reaching the end zone.
Kubiak sees areas for improvement
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak acknowledged that Mendoza and the coaching staff had significant work ahead.
Cousins is expected to begin the regular season as Las Vegas’ starting quarterback, although Kubiak declined to confirm the decision Thursday.
Stroud leads touchdown drive
C.J. Stroud made his preseason debut and guided Houston to a touchdown on his only series.
The quarterback completed 4 of 6 passes for 27 yards.
Woody Marks completed the possession with a 20-yard touchdown run that gave Houston a 7-0 lead.
Stroud and Houston’s offensive line were among the few Texans starters who played.
Raiders rest most starters
Las Vegas held out most of its leading players.
Cousins, defensive end Maxx Crosby, running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers did not play.
Despite trailing early, the Raiders’ reserves gradually erased Houston’s advantage.
Las Vegas mounts second-half comeback
Dylan Laube scored on a 4-yard run with approximately five minutes left in the third quarter, cutting Houston’s lead to 20-10.
Former Texans running back Dare Ogunbowale added a 19-yard touchdown run with less than eight minutes remaining.
Kansei Matsuzawa missed the extra-point attempt, leaving the Raiders behind 20-16.
O’Connell, who replaced Mendoza after halftime, completed the comeback by scoring on a 1-yard tush push with 14 seconds remaining.
The touchdown put Las Vegas ahead 22-20. Matsuzawa missed the following extra pointbut the Raiders held on for the victory.
Las Vegas improved to 1-1 in the preseason, while Houston fell to 0-2.
Kickers connect from long range
The teams combined to make three field goals from at least 50 yards.
Houston's Ka'imi Fairbairn converted attempts from 51 and 57 yards in his first preseason action after sitting out the previous week.
Matt Gay made a 52-yard field goal for Las Vegas during the second quarter.
Clowney returns to Texans lineup
Jadeveon Clowney played the entire first half in his return to Houston.
The defensive end, selected first overall by the Texans in the 2014 NFL draft, rejoined the team on a one-year contract earlier this month.
Clowney recorded one tackle and a quarterback hurry Thursday.
He spent his first five NFL seasons with Houston before playing for several other teams. He recorded 8 1/2 sacks with Dallas last season.
Raiders report two injuries
Las Vegas linebacker Buddy Johnson left early in the third quarter because of a shoulder injury but returned during the fourth.
Cornerback Chigozie Anusiem was carted off the field in the third quarter with a knee injury.
Up next
The Raiders will host the San Francisco 49ers next Thursday night in their final preseason game.
The Texans will conclude their preseason schedule at Carolina on Aug. 28.
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