Raiders overcome Fernando Mendoza's pick-six, rally past Texans

Field Level Media|published: 08/20/2026, 11:37pm EDT

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-six 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.

--Field Level Media