Raiders’ Mendoza Debuts in Rain, Leads Raiders to Red Zone
Raiders rookie QB Fernando Mendoza makes NFL debut in tough conditions, leads team to red zone.
2 min read
Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza made his highly anticipated NFL debut Sunday, but it didn’t come under the best circumstances. The game was already out of reach for the Raiders, who trailed the New England Patriots by 28 points late in the fourth quarter.
With only six minutes remaining and the game effectively decided, head coach Klint Kubiak decided to give his No. 1 overall pick an opportunity to shine. Mendoza stepped onto the drenched Gillette Stadium field, where rain was falling heavily, and took the chance to showcase his skills.
Mendoza led the Raiders to the red zone, tallying 48 yards off 6-of-8 passing. However, the team wasn’t able to score due to a failed fourth-and-short play by the rookie. Despite the loss, Mendoza expressed pride in the effort shown by the offense in the final moments of the game.
“It’s a good experience,” said Mendoza, per ESPN. “Every rookie has it at some point, so it was just that time. I was really proud of how the offense rallied even late in the game, and with undeniable effort there at the end.”
The Raiders suffered a 45-17 defeat to the Patriots, but the performance of Mendoza has been seen as a positive sign for a rebuilding franchise. Fans are taking comfort in the fact that the rookie quarterback is showing promise and could be the key to the team’s future success.
Fernando Mendoza, smooth operator 👀 Solid debut for the No. 1 pick: 6/8 for 48 yards plus 3 rush yards in a single drive. Spread it around and showed mobility. Looks as advertised, albeit in garbage time. https://t.co/4E4kIghIUE
If I’m a Raiders fan, I’m completely ignoring the loss.
If you’re looking at this strictly through the lens of a rebuilding franchise, Fernando Mendoza’s late-game cameo is exactly what you wanted to see.
Sunday’s brief glimpse proved that when the kid finally gets the keys, the Silver and Black won’t have to wait long for the offense to find a pulse, and that’s helping me sleep at night as a Vegas fan.
Be proud of where you’re at, Raider Nation. You have a bright future ahead.
Source: Daily Caller
