Las Vegas has installed rookie Fernando Mendoza as its starter after shipping Kirk Cousins, with Mendoza’s first NFL start coming Sunday versus Seattle.
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The Las Vegas Raiders moved quickly Tuesday to change quarterbacks, trading veteran Kirk Cousins to Minnesota and installing rookie Fernando Mendoza as their starter.
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said the decision arrived quickly, but was not unexpected, adding that every week is difficult and pointing to what he called “the best defense in the NFL.”
Mendoza’s first start is set to come in a Sunday matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, a team that has allowed a league-low 244.2 yards per game.
Kubiak also noted his familiarity with Seattle’s scheme, saying he went against the Seahawks’ defence during practice last season when he was Seattle’s offensive coordinator. Kubiak spent one season with the Seahawks, and his offence—led by quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Kenneth Walker III—paired with coach Mike Macdonald’s “Dark Side” defence to help Seattle win a second Super Bowl.
The Raiders’ transition has placed added attention on Mendoza, who has made one prior appearance in the NFL. In that game, he completed 6 of 8 passes for 48 yards late in a blowout loss to New England.
Mendoza has acknowledged a learning curve and said he felt he has been improving during the period when Cousins ran the offence. “Sometimes coach Sully (QBs coach Mike Sullivan) will reference back to ‘Spring Fernando,’” Mendoza said. “I don’t want to talk about myself in the third person, but it just shows how much improvement there’s been. I’m a lot more confident as a quarterback, and I feel more developed.”
Need to know: Seattle (5-4) plays Las Vegas (4-5) on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. EST on CBS. Latest odds have the Seahawks by 6 1/2 points. The Seahawks won their most recent game 17-3 over Arizona, while the Raiders lost 38-17 to the 49ers. In their latest meeting on Nov. 27, 2022, Las Vegas won 40-34 in overtime in Seattle.
Several matchup details also surround Mendoza’s debut, including Seattle’s aggressive nickel defender Nick Emmanwori, who has blitzed on 54 plays this season, the most among defensive backs. The Seahawks also have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 38 straight games, including the playoffs.
On the offensive side, Las Vegas has eclipsed 100 rushing yards just twice this season, with the last instance coming in Week 3 at New Orleans. Seattle quarterback Drew Lock is filling in for Sam Darnold, who is out for a second straight week because of a quadriceps injury.
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