NFL preseason roundup: Raiders overcome Fernando Mendoza's pick-6

Field Level Media|published: Fri 21st August, 01:37 2026

Aug 20, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz (30) returns Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) interception for an 80 yard touchdown in the first quarter at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Las Vegas rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw a pick-6 in his second preseason game, but the Raiders rallied for a 22-20 win over the host Houston Texans on Thursday.

Aidan O'Connell drove the Raiders 96 yards in eight plays in the last two minutes, capping the march with a 1-yard touchdown run with 14 seconds remaining.

Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, completed 8 of 15 passes for 86 yards and the one interception. He played the entire first half, which ended with Las Vegas trailing 20-3.

O'Connell, a four-year veteran with Las Vegas, wound up 15 of 24 for 166 yards as the Raiders (1-1) outscored the Texans 19-0 after the break.

Las Vegas' presumptive starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins, did not play.

Houston (0-2) drove 69 yards on the game's first possession and jumped on top with a 20-yard touchdown run from Woody Marks.

On the ensuing drive, Wade Woodaz picked off a Mendoza pass intended for Mike Washington Jr. over the middle and returned it 80 yards for a 14-0 lead. Woodaz is a rookie fourth-round pick from Clemson.

Texans starting quarterback C.J. Stroud got his first action of the preseason, leading the opening TD drive. He connected on 4 of 6 passes for 27 yards. Marks finished with 37 yards on four carries.

Washington ran nine times for 56 yards to lead the Las Vegas ground game.

The Raiders outgained the Texans 400-219.

49ers 41, Chargers 17

Jacob Cowing returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown as San Francisco cruised to a victory over Los Angeles in Inglewood, Calif.

Sincere McCormick paced the 49ers' rushing attack with six carries for 53 yards. He scored the game's first touchdown on a 7-yard run in the second quarter. In all, San Francisco (1-1) rolled up 146 yards on 36 carries.

Trey Lance, the second of three quarterbacks who saw action for the Chargers (1-1), connected on 10 of 16 passes for 73 yards. He also was the host's top ground-gainer, running for 42 yards on two carries.

Los Angeles' Junior Colson returned an interception 16 yards for a touchdown.

The teams' starting quarterbacks played one series apiece. San Francisco's Brock Purdy went 4-for-6 for 29 yards, while Los Angeles' Justin Herbert completed 1 of 2 passes for 9 yards.

--Field Level Media

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