Fernando Mendoza suffered a sack, was hit four more times, threw a pick-six and held the Raiders to just three points. It was a tough night for the No. 1 overall pick against the Texans’ backup defensive players. The Raiders quarterback played the entire first half and went 8 of 15 for 86 yards, with a drop by Malik Benson for what could have been a big gain. The Raiders gained 55 yards on their opening drive, including a 22-yard pass from Mendoza to Jalen Nailor, before Texans rookie linebacker Wade Woodaz took the lead. Mike Washington Jr. Woodaz went 80 yards for a touchdown with the interception. Veteran running back Maxx Crosby greeted Mendoza on the sideline with words of encouragement. “He’s been great,” Crosby said of Mendoza in an interview with ESPN. “You come in as a rookie and you have to start from the bottom. He had the right attitude. He’s working hard. He’s here every day rooting for the guys and just working. That’s all you can ask for.” Matt Gay connected on a 52-yard field goal to give the Raiders their only points of the first half. They are down 20-3 at halftime. Mendoza handed the reins to Aidan O’Connell to start the second half. In his preseason debut last week, Mendoza went 10 of 16 for 97 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals.
