Raiders Prefer Kirk Cousins as Starter Amid Losing Streak

The Las Vegas Raiders intend to keep Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback for as long as possible, according to reporting attributed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, despite the team’s four-game losing streak. The Raiders do not blame Cousins for the skid, and no firm date has been set for first-round pick Fernando Mendoza to take over. Head coach Klint Kubiak has publicly backed Cousins, saying he remains the starter and that there is no quarterback controversy. Kubiak has also said Mendoza will play at some point, but not that week. The team’s preference, as reported by Schefter, is for Cousins to finish the season as the starter if circumstances allow. The Raiders opened the season with three straight wins before losing four consecutive games, leaving them with a 3-4 record heading into Week 8. Cousins has started all seven games. He has thrown 16 touchdown passes and five interceptions, completing 62.6% of his attempts. Reports give his passing yardage through those games as either 1,877 or 1,817, a difference the available accounts do not resolve. Schefter’s report said the Raiders could consider a quarterback change after their Week 13 bye, when three consecutive home...