Despite rookie Fernando Mendoza’s preseason struggles and Kirk Cousins’ steady veteran presence, Las Vegas keeps the league guessing as the regular season opener against Miami looms large.
The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Las Vegas Raiders in the preseason finale for both teams in an 18-12 score at Allegiant Stadium in Nevada on Thursday night.
Coming into the game, much of the discussion was regarding the Raiders quarterback decision. For some time, it has been expected that veteran Kirk Cousins will open the regular season as the QB1.
Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick and reigning Heisman Trophy winner who is fresh off a College Football Playoff national title, is expected to hold a clipboard to begin the year.
Or, so we thought.
With the preseason now over for Las Vegas, Mendoza finished with one touchdown and two interceptions, including a pick-six in the second game against the Houston Texans.
On Thursday, Mendoza threw another interception on a high pass intended for Jalen Nailor.
After the game came to an end, Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak still insisted he won't name a starter just yet.
"I still don't think we need to name anybody," Kubiak said, via Ryan McFadden of ESPN. "We have a lot to talk about at a lot of positions, so we want to watch the film and talk about everything as a staff."
Cousins went 8-of-11 for 51 yards while Mendoza went 7-of-14 for 57 yards and an interception. In Week 2, Cousins didn't play, although Mendoza made his first start and went 8-of-15 for 86 yards and an interception.
In the preseason opener, Cousins went 5-of-6 for 50 yards and a touchdown, and Mendoza went 10-of-16 for 97 yards and a score.
Yet, Kubiak still won't name his starter, at least not publicly, although it certainly seems it will be Cousins.
Kubiak even said Mendoza could use "another three preseason games, although he said all the rookies could use more games.
"He needs another three preseason games," Kubiak said. "All those rookies do, and now that the season's starting, the practice reps get smaller, and that's just life.
The plan all along appeared to be Kirk Cousins under center for the regular season opener, and even though that hasn't been decided, the veteran signal-caller isn't worried about any of that.
"Naming something one day could change the next," Cousins said. "You just go about your business each day, methodically, and let the chips fall where they may."
The Raiders finished the preseason with a 1-2 record, and they now have big decisions to make. One, they need to cut their roster down to 53 players, and second, Kubiak needs to decide who will be the starting QB for Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins on September 13.
