Raiders Rally to Defeat Texans 22-20 Despite Mendoza's Pick-Six
The Las Vegas Raiders secured a 22-20 victory over the Houston Texans in a preseason game on Thursday, despite rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza throwing a pick-six. Mendoza, the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and a former Heisman Trophy winner, completed 8 of 15 passes for 86 yards and one interception, playing the entire first half, which ended with the Raiders trailing 20-3.
Aidan O'Connell led a late-game comeback, driving the Raiders 96 yards in eight plays and scoring a 1-yard touchdown run with just 14 seconds left. O'Connell finished the game with 15 completions on 24 attempts for 166 yards, helping the Raiders outscore the Texans 19-0 in the second half. Las Vegas' expected starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins, did not participate in the game.
The Texans started strong, with C.J. Stroud leading a 69-yard opening drive that resulted in a 20-yard touchdown run by Woody Marks. Mendoza's interception was returned 80 yards by rookie Wade Woodaz, giving Houston a 14-0 lead. Marks ended the game with 37 rushing yards, while Las Vegas' Mike Washington Jr. led the ground game with 56 yards on nine carries.
