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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — After stepping onto an NFL field or the first time in the regular season during the Raiders blowout loss to the Patriots Sunday, Fernando Mendoza completed his first five passes, moved the Raiders downfield, converted a third down and gave himself something to build on during an otherwise forgettable afternoon for his team.
But the play that stayed with him was the one he wanted back.
With the Raiders facing fourth down deep in Patriots territory, Mendoza escaped the pocket and took off toward the first-down marker. He came up a yard short at New England’s 11-yard line, ending the possession and leaving the rookie quarterback lamenting the throw he should have made.
Devin Tompkins was his answer over the middle. Mendoza knew it.
“For that play, I’ve got to stand in there, take a hit for the Silver and Black and hit DT over the middle on a choice route,” Mendoza said. “That is totally my fault, and I let the offense down on that play.”
It was the sharpest lesson from an NFL debut that arrived with 6:06 remaining in the fourth quarter. With the game out of reach, coach Klint Kubiak turned to Mendoza, the first overall pick in the NFL draft and the future face of the Raiders’ franchise, to finish the afternoon in place of Kirk Cousins.
“I just wanted to get him some exposure,” Kubiak said.
Mendoza completed six of eight passes for 48 yards, showing some poise and an immediate willingness to hold himself accountable.
“He did a good job,” Kubiak said. “All reps are valuable.”
For Mendoza, the value extended beyond completing passes. His fourth-down scramble presented a decision he will have to handle better when another opportunity comes.
“It was a little in between running scramble drill, what do I do?” Mendoza said. “Because it’s fourth down…I need to stand in there and throw DT the ball over the middle.”
There were encouraging moments before that.
Mendoza found Ian Thomas for nine yards on third-and-five, keeping the possession alive, and connected with Tre Tucker for a 16-yard gain.
The completion to Thomas was particularly satisfying because of how the offense worked together.
“It’s great; it’s all about the first down,” Mendoza said. “That’s how you get a drive going: to see the check down and then Ian showing up big, getting off that collision, and the offensive line protecting fantastically.”
His preparation began long before he entered.
Mendoza said he stays engaged by repeating play calls, working through reads and throwing with Cousins before possessions. Those throws also help keep his arm ready.
When his opportunity arrived, he appreciated the response around him.
“I’m proud of how the offense rallied, even late in the game, with undeniable effort there at the end,” Mendoza said.
Cousins also liked what he saw.
“I thought he did a nice job competing,” Cousins said. “I thought he played well and did a good job.”
The debut offered Mendoza a few completions, a measure of comfort and a clear teaching point.
His first five passes found their targets. The one he never threw will give him plenty to study.