Fernando Mendoza's 2nd preseason game begins poorly as he throws a pick-6 on 1st series

Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza spent most of the past week hearing about how good he looked in his NFL preseason debut.

In his second preseason game, he got a lesson on how hard the NFL can be.

Mendoza’s first drive ended with a touchdown … by the Houston Texans’ defense. Not great.

Mendoza was scanning the field as he held the ball after a play-action fake, then threw back to the middle of the field. He was checking down to running back Mike Washington Jr. after his first reads weren’t there, but threw it behind Washington. Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz, a fourth-round rookie, stepped in and picked it off. Woodaz then returned it 80 yards for a touchdown, outrunning a hustling Mendoza to the end zone. It seemed as if Washington moved off the spot that Mendoza expected him to be, which could have cause the pass behind him that led to the interception.

The first overall pick of the NFL Draft will have some very good moments as a professional. And now he has his first pick-6 — albeit in a preseason game that doesn’t count — out of the way.

ESPN showed Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby approach Mendoza after the interception and offer him some encouragement on the sideline.

With Kirk Cousins getting his work this week in joint practices against the Texans, Mendoza got the start. He was not going against the Texans’ starting defense in the game. Mendoza’s first pass was mistimed and sailed high to Jalen Nailor. The Raiders’ coaches had to be pleased when Mendoza’s second pass was a nice one to Nailor for 22 yards.

Mendoza’s next pass was the interception to Woodaz, which gave the Texans a quick 14-0 lead. That will be a learning moment.

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In the Raiders' first preseason game last week, Mendoza looked good. He was 10 of 16 for 97 yards and a touchdown, while making some impressive throws. He didn't really gain in the race to catch Cousins, because Cousins also played very well. Cousins completed 5-of-6 passes in his only possession for 50 yards, leading the Raiders to a touchdown.

The Raiders have repeatedly said they prefer Cousins to begin the regular season as their starting quarterback, and in the first game Cousins solidified his standing on the depth chart.

The pick-6 to start won’t ruin Mendoza’s chances to get on the field soon in the season, but it was a reminder of why the Raiders want to slow-play his first official start.