The Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders faced off in a preseason game, with the Cardinals emerging victorious 27-14. The highlight of the game was the performance of Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders' top draft pick and Heisman Trophy winner, who threw a touchdown pass in his debut. Mendoza's self-evaluation was critical, acknowledging his mistakes and the need for growth. He connected with Jack Bech for a 6-yard touchdown and demonstrated precision with a 19-yard pass to Malik Benson, though he admitted some of his throws were off.
The game also featured a strong showing from the Cardinals' starting quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, who completed all five of his passes for 44 yards and a touchdown. Gardner Minshew, a former Raider, and Brissett combined for an impressive 15-of-15 completion rate in the first half, building a 21-14 lead. The Cardinals' rookie right guard, Chase Bisontis, suffered a serious left knee injury, while the Raiders' Maxx Crosby, who underwent knee surgery in January, did not play.
This game was notable for the absence of the expected rematch between college football national championship quarterbacks, Carson Beck and Mendoza, due to Beck's sore ribs. The Cardinals' coach, Mike LaFleur, cited the risk of injury as the reason for Beck's absence, while the Raiders' coach, Klint Kubiak, noted that Crosby's playing status was uncertain.
The Raiders' starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins, had a solid performance, completing 5 of 6 passes for 50 yards and a touchdown. The game also saw the return of Jermod McCoy, who hadn't played in nearly two years due to a torn ACL, and his performance with the second-team defense was notable.
Looking ahead, the Cardinals will host Dallas on August 22, while the Raiders will travel to Houston the following week. This preseason game provided an opportunity for players to showcase their skills and for coaches to assess their teams' progress, with a focus on improving and preparing for the regular season.
