Las Vegas Raiders (0-1) travel to face the Houston Texans (0-1) on Thursday night, with rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza seeking first-team reps and Houston’s banged-up roster looking for answers.
The Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans both enter Thursday’s preseason matchup at NRG Stadium looking for their first win of the exhibition slate. The Raiders (0-1) fell 27-14 to the Arizona Cardinals in their opener, while the Texans (0-1) dropped a 27-7 decision to the Los Angeles Chargers. The game carries extra intrigue for Las Vegas, where rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s impressive debut has sparked a quarterback competition, while Houston faces a reshuffled receiving corps after losing Jayden Higgins for the season.
Raiders: Mendoza’s Momentum
Fernando Mendoza completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut against Arizona, a performance that drew praise from coach Klint Kubiak and analysts alike. Kubiak said all three signal-callers “deserve first-team reps,” but Mendoza’s night — including a 6-yard scoring strike to Jack Bech — has created real buzz. Running back Mike Washington Jr. added 63 yards on six carries, and wide receiver E.J. Williams Jr. hauled in a 41-yard reception. Defensively, linebacker Greedy Vance posted 10 tackles and defensive end Patrick Johnson contributed a sack. The Raiders’ injury list is lengthy, with five players on Injured Reserve, including Justin Pickett and Brennan Jackson, while Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Carson Beck are questionable. Depth will be tested, especially on the offensive line.
Texans: Injury Woes and Backup Opportunities
Houston’s preseason opener was marred by a season-ending ACL tear for wide receiver Jayden Higgins, suffered in a joint practice with the Raiders. The Texans’ offense struggled against the Chargers, managing just one touchdown — a 5-yard pass from Davis Mills to Jared Wayne. Mills finished 9-for-15 for 82 yards, while running back Noah Whittington led the ground game with 40 yards on 13 carries. Wide receiver Marlin Klein had the longest reception of the night at 31 yards. Defensively, Naquan Jones recorded a sack and Aiden Fisher led the team with seven tackles. The offensive line is banged up: Tyler Biadasz is doubtful, Isaiah World is out, and Rashawn Slater is questionable. With starters expected to rest, backups will get extended run, and C.J. Stroud has been “looking sharp in practice” per reports, though he may not see much action.
Head-to-Head: Quarterback Competition vs. Defensive Depth
The marquee storyline is Mendoza’s bid for first-team reps against a Houston defense that will be missing key pieces. The Texans’ defensive line, led by Naquan Jones, will look to pressure the rookie, while the Raiders’ offensive line — already thin due to injuries — must protect him. Houston’s offense, under Davis Mills, will face a Raiders defense that showed playmaking ability with Greedy Vance flying to the ball. Both teams are prioritizing health and evaluation over wins, but the backup battles could shape roster decisions.
Prediction
Expect a closely contested game with both teams rotating heavily. The Raiders’ quarterback competition gives them a slight edge in motivation, and Mendoza’s confidence should carry over. Look for Las Vegas to win a low-scoring affair, 20-17, as the Texans’ offensive line issues limit their scoring.
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