NFL: Arizona Cardinals at Las Vegas Raiders
NFL: Arizona Cardinals at Las Vegas Raiders
Thursday night, at Allegiant Stadium, the Las Vegas Raiders opened their 2026 preseason with a 27-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. In August, the score is the least interesting part of the box score.
What mattered more: Fernando Mendoza took his first NFL snaps. An offensive line that allowed the most sacks in the league last season got to show what’s different. Klint Kubiak called plays in a real game for the first time as a head coach. A defense full of rookies and first-year starters found out how much it still has to learn. And a kicking competition that’s far from settled got a little clearer.
Let’s dive into five takeaways from Thursday’s loss to the Cardinals.
Fernando Mendoza Was Solid in NFL Debut
NFL: Arizona Cardinals at Las Vegas Raiders6
Aug 13, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Thursday brought the first time Fernando Mendoza saw action in an NFL game. After Kirk Cousins got the first drive, it was Mendoza’s time. The No. 1 pick came out to roars from Raider Nation before getting going.
A couple of penalties hurt Mendoza’s first drive, but he was able to bounce back on his second drive.
Overall, Mendoza completed 10-of-16 passes for 96 yards, highlighted by finding Jack Bech on a 6-yard touchdown. There were some great things and there were also plays that Mendoza will learn from.
FERNANDO. MENDOZA.
First Raiders TD! 🔥
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/E2V3cumfNK
— ESPN (@espn) August 14, 2026
“Today was an invigorating experience where there’s not many moments where you feel fully alive and on the field is feeling fully alive, especially in an NFL atmosphere,” Mendoza said. “It was great to get out there, get my feet wet. Especially the first drive, it felt a little sped up because of so much anticipation and excitement. However, my teammates around me protected me very well and helped slowed me down.”
He started his touchdown drive by finding his best training camp connection, Malik Benson, over the middle for a 19-yard gain through three defenders.
A three-and-out began Mendoza’s second half before going on an 11-play 47-yard drive in the fourth quarter. His fourth and final drive included finding Dareke Young for a 10-yard gain before consecutive checkdowns to Brandon Johnson and Dylan Laube for14 yards and two first downs.
Related: Raiders Fernando Mendoza: “I Am Nowhere Near Where I Need to Be”
O-Line Protects Play Callers and Backs
NFL: Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders6
Jan 5, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle Kolton Miller (74) reacts after the Raiders were defeated by the Los Angeles Chargers 34-20 at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
This offensive line knows it has to protect the quarterbacks and open up gaps for the running backs.
Last season, the Raiders allowed 64 sacks, which was the most in the league. On Thursday, the Raiders put out a starting offensive line of Kolton Miller at left tackle, Spencer Burford at left guard and Tyler Linderbaum at center.
Watch Charles Grant at left tackle and Jack Bech at receiver spring Washington free on the Washington run.pic.twitter.com/iP0gDujIwQ https://t.co/pjod4TAIVi
— Sam Warren (@samwarren83) August 14, 2026
The right side of the offensive line remains something to watch, as Jackson Powers-Johnson got the start at right guard and DJ Glaze got the start at right tackle.
Linderbaum opened a hole up the middle on 3rd-and-1 for Ashton Jeanty to record a 10-yard gain in the opening drive. Completing third downs is vital to scoring, as the 10-play drive wrapped up with Kirk Cousins finding Michael Mayer for a 13-yard touchdown pass on 3rd-and-3.
“I was proud of the offensive line, the communication, the receivers,” Cousins said. “We made a check at one point. Everybody got the check, did what they were supposed to do. I thought Klint did a great job getting the play call in early, communicating well, so we weren’t up against the play clock. Guys played hard, did their assignments, made plays and that’s what it’s about.”
On the third drive, the offensive line, most notably Charles Grant, opened up space for rookie Mike Washington Jr. to post a 53-yard run to set up Mendoza’s score to Bech. The 53-yard run marked the longest run by a Raiders player in a preseason game since at least 2017.
Related: Las Vegas Raiders Depth Chart Puts DJ Glaze at Right Tackle, Darien Porter at CB2
Klint Kubiak’s Game Calling
NFL: Las Vegas Raiders Minicamp6
Jun 9, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak during minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Not only does a first game give players the chance to gain footing, but also a head coach. Kubiak was officially in a game setting for the first time, calling plays, talking to coaches and deciding when to take timeouts.
“I thought (the game) was smooth,” Kubiak said. “Our coaches did a good job communicating on the headsets,”
In the second half and down by 13 points, Kubiak called all three of his timeouts within an 11-second stretch inside of seven minutes in the fourth quarter. The timeouts show how much he was thinking about the deficit and how much time was left for Aidan O’Connell to try and put something together. For the Raiders over the past several coaching choices, clock management hasn’t shown that much discipline.
Those three timeouts also led to a missed field goal, giving the Raiders a chance to come back.
Thursday also marked the first time Kubiak and Cousins were working together in a game setting since 2021. Cousins was asked what it was like paired up again with Kubiak.
“It’s going to sound weird, but I enjoyed hearing his voice again,” Cousins said of reuniting with Kubiak. “He’s very urgent, very intentional, very detailed. He’s a great listener and I felt that going into this game and through the game with the way he operates.”
Raiders Defense and Penalty Struggles
NFL: Las Vegas Raiders OTA6
May 28, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) runs a drill during organized team activities at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
As much as the offense shone, the defense showed it is young and has major work to do before next week’s practices and the game against Houston. The Raiders allowed Arizona to complete all 15 of their passes, including going a perfect 6-for-6 on third downs. Arizona also went 3-for-3 in the red zone and averaged 6.5 yards per play.
Multiple Raider defenders, including Jermod McCoy and Darien Porter, were beaten on different plays in the first half, leading to both of Arizona’s first three touchdowns. In addition, missed tackles led to some extra yards being gained.
Part of these struggles will stick around as the preseason rolls on. This defense is inexperienced, even with a few veterans mixed in. Remember, McCoy has not played football in two years. And the reps from rookie minicamp through training camp are not the same as playing a real opponent.
“We’ve got a lot of growth to do as a team,” Kubiak said. “It starts tomorrow. ”
The secondary had chances in coverage and showed promise there. Where they couldn’t compete was on closing and that led to key receptions throughout.
In addition, Las Vegas was penalized eight times for 75 yards. Those penalties, which came in all three phases, are what this team cannot afford as it tries to build its chemistry.
Also read: Las Vegas Raiders LB Quay Walker Says This Defense Is Here to Change the Culture
Matsuzawa Continues to Struggle
NFL: Arizona Cardinals at Las Vegas Raiders6
Aug 13, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders place kicker Kansei Matsuzawa (38) before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
When the Las Vegas Raiders brought in Kansei Matsuzawa after the draft, they knew he would have to win the kicking battle to earn a spot.
Going up against veteran Matt Gay, Matsuzawa had his time to shine Thursday. The rookie had a couple of touchbacks. However, he also had a kickoff that was short of the landing zone to begin the second half.
That short kickoff led to Arizona starting its drive from the 40-yard line rather than the 25-yard line or the 35-yard line, and it led to Kubiak calling Matsuzawa over. He also missed a 38-yard field goal wide right, showcasing the inexperience at a position that needs to be consistent. His NFL story, for now, might be quickly coming to an end.
Related: Raiders’ Kicker and Long Snapper Competitions Are the Camp Battle Everyone’s Missing
The Raiders Week Ahead
NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Houston Texans6
Dec 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) runs with the ball after a reception as Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) attempts to make a tackle during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Las Vegas will travel to Houston for their second preseason game next Thursday at 5 p.m. There will also be a joint practice for both the Raiders and the Texans on Tuesday.