Fernando Mendoza throws pick-six in second NFL game as Raiders rookie faces growing pains

Matt Hasselbeck joins Colin Cowherd to break down Ty Simpson and Fernando Mendoza's NFL debuts, along with Jeremiyah Love's injury and D.J. Moore's impact on Josh Allen.

And now a reminder that Fernando Mendoza is going to have some difficult moments as a rookie, even though he was the NFL's first overall draft pick and is the hope for a bright future for the Las Vegas Raiders.

On his second pass of the preseason game against the Houston Texans on Thursday night, Mendoza threw an interception.

And not just any interception, because Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz plucked the ball out of the air and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown.

RAIDERS ROOKIE FERNANDO MENDOZA THANKS GOD FOR NFL DEBUT THAT COMPARES FAVORABLY WITH 'MR. BRADY'

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza throws against the Houston Texans under pressure during the first half of an NFL preseason game Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

No bueno, as they say in Miami, where Mendoza was born and grew up.

Mendoza, clearly downcast, was seen red-faced on the Raiders sideline after the play even as some teammates tried to console him.

Veteran Maxx Crosby, perhaps the Raiders' most accomplished player, was among the first to try to console young Mendoza.

"Yeah, that's football, you know? It's not gonna be perfect, you know?" Crosby told ESPN's Laura Rutledge on the sideline. "He's a rookie. You got to go through, you know, some ups and downs as part of the game, and it's how you respond.

"So that's basically what I just told him, keep being yourself, keep playing."

Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates against the Cincinnati Bengals during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Paul Brown Stadium on January 15, 2022 in