The essentials
Raiders beat Texans 22-20 in preseason; Mendoza threw pick-six despite completing 8 of 15 passes.
The Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Houston Texans 22-20 in a preseason matchup played in Houston, Texas. Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza completed 8 of 15 passes in the first half, though his performance was marked by a costly mistake: an interception returned for a touchdown. The Texans mounted an offensive response, with C.J. Stroud leading a scoring drive in his preseason debut. The close final score reflected a competitive contest between the AFC West and AFC South opponents during the exhibition slate.
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Mendoza and Stroud both showcased preseason offensive execution
Mendoza connected on 8 of 15 passes in the first half, demonstrating accuracy despite his interception. Stroud led a scoring drive that highlighted the Texans offense's capability. Both quarterbacks provided their teams with film to evaluate during preseason development.
Defensive plays shaped competitive preseason contest between AFC rivals
The interception returned for a touchdown proved pivotal in the Raiders' 22-20 victory. The turnover exemplified how preseason games often turn on individual plays. Both defenses generated opportunities, with the Raiders' defense capitalizing on Mendoza's mistake to secure the narrow win.