Fernando Mendoza throws a pick-6,
struggles in 1st half of Raiders' 22-20 preseason win over Texans
[August 21, 2026]
By KRISTIE RIEKEN
HOUSTON (AP) — Top pick Fernando Mendoza is finding out quickly that
he has a lot of work to do as he begins his NFL career.
Mendoza struggled in his second preseason game, throwing an
interception that Houston returned for a touchdown before the Las
Vegas Raiders rallied late for a 22-20 victory over the Texans on
Thursday night.
Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner who led Indiana to a national
title, played the first half and went 8 of 15 for 86 yards. The
performance came after he threw a touchdown pass in his preseason
debut last week against Arizona playing behind Kirk Cousins.
“I came away with there’s a lot more learning to do, and although
that maybe you may have had a lot of success at another level, this
level is a whole step further and that the margins are so small, and
that one tiny mistake can lead to catastrophe,” Mendoza said.
On Thursday, Mendoza’s third pass was overthrown and intercepted by
Wade Woodaz, who returned it 80 yards for a touchdown that made it
14-0. Mendoza chased him down, but Woodaz shoved him aside near the
15 and continued to the end zone.
“That’s what we are built for is attacking the football, so when we
do that it puts us in a really good position,” Houston coach DeMeco
Ryans said.
Mendoza was sacked once and took several other hits playing against
Houston’s second-string defense. He played five series and led his
team to just one field goal.
“I think there’s plenty to clean up, plenty to get better at,” Las
Vegas coach Klint Kubiak said. “Plenty that we can do better for him
as coaches. Plenty that he can learn from.”
Though Cousins is expected to start in Week 1, Kubiak wouldn't say
that after the game.
“We got another week of playing. I don’t want anyone to be
comfortable in their job,” he said. “It should always be that way
from all positions, so let’s keep going forward.”
C.J. Stroud led the Texans (0-2) to a touchdown on his only series
in his first action of the preseason. Stroud and the offensive line
were among the few Texans starters who played.
Stroud was 4 of 6 for 27 yards, and a 20-yard scoring run by Woody
Marks on the drive he led made it 7-0.
“C.J. made some really good decisions,” Ryans said. “Didn’t throw it
around a ton but when he did throw it, it was good decisions with
the football.”
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Houston Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz (30) returns an interception
for a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half
of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in
Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
The Raiders (1-1) also rested most of their
starters, including Cousins, defensive end Maxx Crosby, running back
Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers.
A 4-yard run by Dylan Laube with about five minutes left in the
third got the Raiders within 20-10.
Former Texan Dare Ogunbowale scored on a 19-yard
run with less than eight minutes to go. Kansei Matsuzawa's extra
point failed to make it 20-16.
Aidan O'Connell relieved Mendoza in the second half. He scored a
1-yard touchdown on a tush push with 14 seconds to go to put the
Raiders ahead 22-20. Matsuzawa missed that extra point, too.
Kickers convert 3 from 50-plus
Houston’s Ka’imi Fairbairn made field goals of 51 and 57 yards in
his first preseason action after sitting out last week. Matt Gay
kicked a 52-yarder in the second quarter for the Raiders.
Clowney returns to Houston
Houston defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 pick in the 2014
draft, played the entire first half after sitting out last week. He
rejoined the Texans on a one-year contract earlier this month after
spending his first five seasons in Houston.
He had a tackle and a quarterback hurry Thursday night. Clowney
spent last season with the Cowboys and had 8 1/2 sacks.
Injuries
Las Vegas linebacker Buddy Johnson left early in the third quarter
with a shoulder injury but returned in the fourth. … Las Vegas CB
Chigozie Anusiem was carted off the field in the third quarter with
a knee injury.
Up next
Raiders: Host San Francisco next Thursday night in their final
preseason game.
Texans: End the preseason with a visit to Carolina on Aug. 28.
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