Mendoza Makes NFL Debut in Raiders’ Loss to Patriots

The Las Vegas Raiders gave rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza his first NFL regular-season action during a 45-17 loss to the New England Patriots, bringing him into the game in the fourth quarter after veteran Kirk Cousins left the field. Mendoza completed six of eight passes for 48 yards in the defeat. The Raiders trailed by a wide margin when Mendoza entered, and his appearance did not change the result. He helped move the offense into Patriots territory, but a fourth-down attempt ended the possession when he tried to run for the first down and was forced out of bounds short of the marker. Mendoza took responsibility for the decision after the game. He said he should have stood in the pocket and thrown over the middle instead of trying to reach the edge. He also said the loss overshadowed the personal milestone and that he wanted to help the team. Coach Klint Kubiak said the decision to play Mendoza was intended to give the rookie exposure and valuable reps. Kubiak said Cousins remained the Raiders’ starter for their next game against the Buffalo Bills. The comments indicate that Mendoza’s late appearance did not signal an immediate change in the team’s quarterback plans.