Raiders starters play, Fernando Mendoza throws INT in preseason loss to 49ers

The Las Vegas Raiders treated their preseason finale as a pseudo‑dress rehearsal, fielding their starters after having rested them the previous week following a second‑presason outing against the Houston Texans. On Thursday at Allegiant Stadium, the Raiders fell 18‑12 to the San Francisco 49ers. Kirk Cousins directed the opening offense, operating without the injured running back Ashton Jeanty, and moved the team into scoring range on the first two drives against a backup defense. Meanwhile, the starting defense, minus edge rusher Maxx Crosby, kept the 49ers’ second‑team offense off the scoreboard for two possessions. Rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza began with a modified first‑team look, but his first pass was intercepted by Jalen Nailor. Over five series—mostly with the second unit—and despite an inconsistent offensive line, Mendoza completed seven of fourteen attempts for 57 yards, largely on checkdown throws. Cousins finished eight of eleven for 51 yards, while rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. tallied eight carries for 51 yards. Offensive linemen Jackson Powers‑Johnson and Caleb Rogers saw action with both the starting and backup groups. Mendoza orchestrated a six‑play, 45‑yard drive to close the opening half, aided by a walk‑interference penalty on rookie wide receiver Malik Benson. He continued to dink and dunk on the opening series of the second half, but kicker Matt Gay missed a 54‑yard field goal after previously converting attempts from 45, 53 and 37 yards. Aidan O’Connell took over for Mendoza midway through the final moments of the third quarter. San Francisco kicker Eddy Pineiro nailed field goals from 24, 25 and 48 yards before hitting a 59‑yard go‑ahead kick with 9:09 remaining. O’Connell then set up Gay for a tying 48‑yard field goal, connecting a 19‑yard pass to Shedrick Jackson on the ensuing drive. The 49ers answered with Pineiro’s 51‑yard field goal, capping a drive that consumed five minutes and forty‑seven seconds. Las Vegas responded with a three‑and‑out, and Pineiro added a 54‑yard kick to extend the lead. Rookie defensive back Keyron Crawford was carted off the sideline after being helped off the field with an ankle injury in the third quarter.