HOUSTON — The preseason matchup Thursday night between the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans seemed to resemble their practice earlier this week.
A contender working a rebuilder.
Except for when it didn’t.
With their starters watching from the sideline, the Raiders overcame a 17-point halftime deficit — scoring 20 unanswered points en route to a 22-20 win. Third-string quarterback Aidan O’Connell capped an eight-play, 96-yard drive with the go-ahead 1-yard touchdown run with 14 seconds to play.
Rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw an interception-return touchdown on the opening possession. Mendoza completed 8 of 15 passes for 86 yards against Houston’s backup defenses before being replaced by O’Connell. Houston linebacker Wade Woodaz snagged a checkdown intended for running back Mike Washington Jr. before sprinting down the right sideline amid a diving tackle attempt from Mendoza.
Washington ran for 56 yards on nine carries, including a 33-yarder, behind a backup line that struggled with protection.
The lone first-teamer to start on offense, wideout Jalen Nailor, had a 22-yard reception. Running back Dylan Laube had a 4-yard, third-quarter scoring run and running back Dare Ogunbowale scored from 19 yards out in the fourth.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud led the 10-play, 68-yard opening drive that ended with running back Woody Marks bowling over Raiders defenders for a 20-yard score. Quarterback Davis Mills replaced Stroud and couldn’t muster a touchdown drive before also ceding the second half.
Mendoza engineered an eight-play, 26-yard drive that led to a field goal and included a checkdown to fullback Connor Heyward during which he was hit while standing in the pocket. A sack for an 11-yard loss would follow, preceding a short pass to tight end Ian Thomas. Matt Gay converted from 52 yards.
Another promising drive for the Raiders included an 18-yard completion from Mendoza to rookie wideout Malik Benson, who capped it with a third-down drop — as he tried to turn a corner before securing a football — that set up a punt. Mendoza’s fifth and final drive went three-and-out.
Laube’s touchdown capped a six-play, 39-yard drive at the 2:45 mark while Ogunbowale’s scoring run capped a 12-play, 93-yard drive with 6:40 to play. The Raiders forced a punt with 1:46 to play after stopping the Texans on second-and-1, setting up O’Connell’s game-winning drive.
O’Connell finished 15 of 24 for 166 yards. Raiders safety Devin Lafayette had an interception with a second to play.
Injury
Raiders cornerback Chigozie Anusiem was carted off the field early in the third quarter after covering a punt. The sideline cleared to circle in support. The crowd cheered warmly as the cart drove off the field.
Contact Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on X.
