Las Vegas Raiders overcame a 17‑point halftime deficit to beat the Houston Texans 22‑20 in a preseason showdown Thursday night. With the starters watching from the sideline, the Raiders scored 20 unanswered points after the break. The go‑ahead score came with 14 seconds left when third‑string quarterback Aidan O’Connell capped an eight‑play, 96‑yard drive with a one‑yard touchdown run.
The game opened with a turnover for Las Vegas. Rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown on Houston’s first possession. Mendoza finished the opening series 8‑of‑15 for 86 yards before yielding to O’Connell. On the play, Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz snatched a checkdown intended for running back Mike Washington Jr. and raced down the sideline while Mendoza lunged in a diving tackle attempt.
Washington Jr. gained 56 yards on nine carries, highlighted by a 33‑yard rush, behind a backup offensive line that struggled with pass protection. The only Raiders starter to see action on offense, wide receiver Jalen Nailor, hauled in a 22‑yard reception. Running back Dylan Laube punched in a four‑yard touchdown in the third quarter, and Dare Ogunbowale added a 19‑yard score in the final period.
Houston’s opening drive was orchestrated by quarterback C.J. Stroud, who guided a 10‑play, 68‑yard march that ended with running back Woody Marks bursting through the Raiders’ defense for a 20‑yard touchdown. Davis Mills relieved Stroud but failed to produce a touchdown before ceding the second half to the Raiders.
Mendoza later directed an eight‑play, 26‑yard series that set up a field goal attempt. The drive featured a checkdown to fullback Connor Heyward, followed by an 11‑yard sack and a short pass to tight end Ian Thomas. Kicker Matt Gay converted a 52‑yard field goal.
Another notable Raiders drive included an 18‑yard completion from Mendoza to rookie wideout Malik Benson, who subsequently fumbled on a third‑down attempt after trying to reverse field; the play ended in a punt. Mendoza’s fifth and final series of the half resulted in a three‑and‑out.
Laube’s four‑yard touchdown capped a six‑play, 39‑yard drive that began at the 2:45 mark of the third quarter. Ogunbowale’s 19‑yard score concluded a 12‑play, 93‑yard march with 6:40 remaining. After forcing a Texans punt on second‑and‑1 with 1:46 left, the Raiders set up O’Connell’s game‑winning drive.
O’Connell completed 15 of 24 passes for 166 yards. Safety Devin Lafayette recorded an interception with two seconds left in the contest.
Injury news: cornerback Chigozie Anusiem was carted off the field in the third quarter after covering a punt. The sideline cleared, and spectators applauded as the cart exited the stadium.
Sincity Press Staff
2 hours ago 3 min read
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