The Las Vegas Raiders traded quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday, handing the offensive reins to rookie Fernando Mendoza for Sunday’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
Mendoza enters his first career start facing a Seattle defense that surrenders a league-low 244.2 yards per game. The top pick in the recent draft replaces Cousins after supporters spent months anticipating his promotion to the starting lineup.
“Chaque semaine dans la NFL est difficile, et c’est la meilleure défense de la NFL,” said Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak. “Mendoza doit faire son travail et ne pas se soucier de grand-chose d’autre.”
Kubiak brings direct familiarity with Seattle’s defensive unit. He spent last season as the offensive coordinator for the Seahawks before joining Las Vegas.
That Seattle coaching staff, anchored by head coach Mike Macdonald and his Dark Side defense, won a Super Bowl championship with an offense directed by quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Kenneth Walker III. Macdonald acknowledged the offensive progress in Las Vegas under the new setup.
“Ils bâtissent autour des joueurs qu’ils ont et ils le font à un niveau élevé,” Macdonald said. “Je respecte leur façon de fonctionner, évidemment, et ils ont des gens formidables et de bons joueurs. Ils font avancer le ballon et marquent beaucoup de points.”
The Raiders average 26.4 points per game to rank eighth in the NFL, surpassing their win total from the previous season. Yet Seattle’s preparation faces a shortage of game footage on Mendoza, who has made only one appearance.
Mendoza completed six of eight passes for 48 yards in late-game action during a blowout loss to the New England Patriots. Expectations remain high for the former Indiana University standout and Heisman Trophy winner.
“Parfois, (l’entraîneur des quarts-arrières Mike Sullivan) fait référence au “Spring Fernando,” said Mendoza. “Je ne veux pas parler de moi à la troisième personne, mais ça montre tout simplement à tout point qu’il y a eu des progrès. Je suis beaucoup plus confiant comme quart-arrière, et je me sens plus développé.”
Seattle arrives with a 16-4 road record since 2024, the best mark in the league. The Seahawks have also not allowed a single running back to rush for 100 yards in 38 games, including the postseason.
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