Sports · American Football · 2 hrs ago
Fernando Mendoza makes NFL debut in Raiders’ 45-17 loss to Patriots
The Las Vegas Raiders lost 45-17 to the New England Patriots in Foxborough on Sunday.
Rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza entered in the fourth quarter after starter Kirk Cousins was taken out.
Mendoza completed six of eight passes for 48 yards and led a drive deep into Patriots territory, but the drive ended when he was pushed out of bounds on fourth down.
He said afterwards that he should have thrown to Deven Thompkins on that play.
Cousins completed 19 of 28 passes for 243 yards and a touchdown, and coach Klint Kubiak said he remains the Raiders’ starter.
Kubiak said Mendoza was given playing time to gain experience, and Mendoza said he would keep preparing for a bigger role.
The Raiders are due to host Buffalo next week.
Fernando Mendoza made his NFL debut for the Las Vegas Raiders in a 45-17 loss to the New England Patriots.
The rookie replaced starter Kirk Cousins during the game and completed six of eight passes for 48 yards.
Mendoza led a drive deep into Patriots territory but was pushed out of bounds on fourth down.
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said Cousins would remain the team’s starter.
Mendoza said he would use his regular-season snaps to evaluate his play and improve.
- Who
- Fernando Mendoza made his NFL debut for the Las Vegas Raiders against the New England Patriots.
- What
- The Raiders lost 45-17. Mendoza came on as a substitute and completed six of eight passes for 48 yards.
- When
- Sunday. The article was published on 12 October 2026.
- Where
- Foxborough, at the Patriots’ home field.
- Why
- Kubiak said he wanted to give Mendoza some exposure.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
That is totally my fault and I let the offense down on that play
Just wanted to get [Mendoza] some exposure
I think he's got a bright future in this league
The Patriots beat the Raiders 45-17 in Foxborough.
The Raiders replaced Kirk Cousins with Fernando Mendoza.
Kubiak said Cousins remained the Raiders’ starter.
- Final score
- Patriots 45, Raiders 17
- Mendoza’s passing
- 6 completions on 8 attempts for 48 yards
- Raiders starter
- Kirk Cousins
- Raiders coach
- Klint Kubiak
- Patriots quarterback
- Drake Maye completed 26 of 34 passes for 374 yards and four touchdowns
Sources
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