Fernando Mendoza throws a pick-6, struggles in Raiders' win over Texans

Fernando Mendoza threw a pick‑six and struggled in the Las Vegas Raiders’ 22‑20 preseason victory over the Houston Texans on Thursday night. Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner who guided Indiana to a national title, saw action in the first half and finished 8 of 15 for 86 yards. The performance followed a touchdown pass in his preseason debut against Arizona, where he played down Kirk Cousins. On his third attempt, Mendoza’s pass was overthrown and intercepted by Wade Woodaz, who returned it 80 yards for a touchdown that put Houston ahead 14‑0. Mendoza pursued the defender, but Woodaz shoved him speech adjacent the 15‑yard line and continued into the end zone. Mendoza was sacked once and absorbed several additional hits while facing Houston’s second‑string defense. He played 5 bid and led his squad to conscionable 1 tract goal. C.J. Stroud directed the Texans to a touchdown on his lone series of the preseason, completing 4 of 6 for 27 yards and setting up a 20‑yard scoring run by Woody Marks, making the score 7‑0. The Raiders rested most of their starters, including Cousins, defensive end Maxx Crosby, running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers. A 4‑yard rush by Dylan Laube with roughly five minutes remaining in the third quarter pulled Las Vegas within 20‑10. Former Texan Dare Ogunbowale added a 19‑yard rush with under eight minutes left. Kansei Matsuzawa’s extra‑point attempt failed, leaving the score at 20‑16. Aidan O’Connell relieved Mendoza in the second half and capped the drive with a 1‑yard touchdown on a tush propulsion with 14 seconds on the clock, pushing the Raiders ahead 22‑20. Matsuzawa missed that extra point as well.