Raiders Fall to Cardinals in Preseason Opener
The Raiders faced a challenging situation on Thursday, losing their preseason opener to the Cardinals with a score of 27-14 at Allegiant Stadium.
On a brighter note, it was a promising debut for Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall draft pick.
Second-year wide receiver Jack Beck had a strong night, catching three passes on third down, including a touchdown.
Tight end Michael Mayer also contributed with two catches for 19 yards and a touchdown, while running backs Ashton Giunty and Mike Washington Jr. provided glimpses of the explosiveness the Raiders are hoping to bring to their running game.
However, the defense had a tough outing, allowing 368 yards and letting Arizona score on each of its first five possessions.
It’s still early in August, so there’s time for adjustments, but first impressions are certainly important.
Mendoza Looks Promising
In his first NFL appearance, quarterback Fernando Mendoza demonstrated poise that the Raiders hope will end a long stretch of instability at the position.
That may have been the most reassuring aspect of his debut.
Mendoza mainly worked with the second-team offense, completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and leading a touchdown drive. Most notably, during key moments on third down, he completed 3 of 4 passes, two resulting in first downs and the other a 6-yard touchdown pass to Beck.
The only pass he missed on third down was an end zone shot in the fourth quarter that wide receiver Deven Tompkins couldn’t pull in.
He finished with a passer rating of 100.3, which is quite solid for a debut.
His calm demeanor was probably more crucial, as he didn’t appear flustered by the pace of the game. For a rookie just starting his NFL career, that’s more significant than focusing solely on preseason stats.
Things will get more challenging next week when the Raiders head to Houston for a joint practice with the Texans, chosen for their tough defense which could pose serious challenges for the offensive line and for Mendoza.
This will be an important test for everyone involved.
Especially for Mendoza.
While he shouldn’t automatically be given the starting role after a single preseason game—Kirk Cousins remains the favorite to start—the performance he showed raised questions about whether he should see the field sooner than anticipated.
Raiders Defense Needs Improvement
Maxx Crosby sat out Thursday’s game, but assessing the Raiders’ defense under new coordinator Robbie Leonard requires a significant note of caution.
Crosby is not only the best defensive player; he also influences those around him.
Still, his absence doesn’t excuse the defense’s performance.
Arizona’s quarterbacks, Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew, scored on all of their first five possessions, including three touchdowns.
Throughout the game, the Raiders struggled to stop them, particularly on third down, as Arizona went three for three initially, which kept their scoring streak alive and highlighted problems from last season.
No matter how closely Leonard followed his game plan, the defense needs to step up.
Last season, the Raiders were near the bottom in defensive third downs, allowing 46.3 percent conversions. For a rebuilding team, that’s a significant issue.
They still lack the talent to easily recover from mistakes or give opponents extra chances. Winning by a significant margin is essential, and sometimes that means getting off the field on third down can’t be overlooked.
Thursday served as a harsh reminder of the work that lies ahead.
Mike Washington Makes His Mark
It’s clear that Ashton Giunty is the primary running back in the Raiders’ lineup.
However, Mike Washington Jr. is beginning to stir up some interesting conversations.
Giunty gained 21 yards on five carries in this game, averaging an encouraging 4.2 yards per attempt, especially considering his 3.7 average last season.
If he can keep up this improved performance, it could be a game-changer for an offense that needs to alleviate pressure off the quarterback and avoid predictable passing situations.
But Washington stole the show on Thursday.
In his first preseason game, the rookie from Arkansas State showcased his talent by rushing for 63 yards on six carries, punctuated with a standout 53-yard run.
He sliced through the defense with impressive speed, leaving Cardinals players scrambling to catch him.
That run demonstrated not just speed but also power and vision.
More importantly, Washington is evolving into more than just Giunty’s backup.
He has solidified his position as the Raiders’ No. 2 running back, and if he continues on this path, the coaching staff will likely look for ways to get him involved even when Giunty is fit.
While Giunty remains the main guy, Washington seems poised to be a valuable addition to the backfield.
