Di number one pick Fernando Mendoza finally step onto NFL field, but e debut happen inside one nightmare night for Las Vegas Raiders. After a start wey raise hope among Raiders Nation, di team wey Tom Brady co-own dey begin face harsh reality.
Las Vegas Raiders finish last season as di worst team for NFL, but four weeks into 2026 campaign dem boast surprising 3-1 record. Everything change against New England Patriots. Dia disappointing 2025 season allow dem secure di number one overall pick for Draft, selection wey dem use on Fernando Mendoza.
Di rookie quarterback from Indiana arrive for NFL with historic résumé: he be di central figure for di first perfect 16-0 college season since di 19th century and he also win di Heisman Trophy. Mendoza talent and projection position am as di presumed new face of Las Vegas franchise.
However, di Raiders decide to give am time to adapt and sign one veteran to lead di offense: Kirk Cousins, who ultimately win di starting job. With Cousins under center, Las Vegas find stability and enter Week 5 with 3-1 record, emerging as one of di biggest surprises of di season.
But reality hit hard against di Patriots. Di Raiders were thoroughly outplayed and fall 45-17 in defeat wey expose dia limitations. Amid di difficult situation, Mendoza get opportunity to play him first official minutes for NFL. Di quarterback selected with first overall pick had brief appearance but show positive signs, completing 6 of 8 passes for 48 yards. Although di game already decided when he enter field, him performance provide small bright spot on tough night.
A portion of di fan base already dey call for Mendoza to take di reins of di team, but recent NFL history don show say developing young quarterback from di bench during him first season fit be effective strategy. However, if di Raiders continue to suffer blowout losses like di one against New England, di pressure to hand di starting job to Fernando Mendoza fit intensify much sooner than expected.
Coach KK talk say na very disappointing performance today from everyone, players and coaches. He give plenty credit to Patriots, say dem do great job. He note say Raiders get eight penalties today, far too many. He talk say na game dem must move forward from very quickly, and everything still dey ahead of dem as team.
Coach KK talk say defensively, offensively, special teams, he no think any of dem play well enough to win. He put hand up say na him job to get team ready and dem no ready to go. On Mike Watson, he explain say playing from behind whole game reduce him carries, and he abandon run game too early. He also say dem bring Mendoza out on final drive just to get him exposure, and he do good job.
Kirk Cousins talk say anytime you dey one-dimensional, e dey make things easier for defense. He respect Patriots defense and call dem Super Bowl caliber. He talk say Patriots pressures get home quickly, and e hard for Raiders. On Mendoza debut, Cousins say di young man do nice job competing and play well. Cousins add say every week na him own entity, and team must start 0-0 next week.
Coach KK still maintain say Mendoza debut no change anything with di plan at quarterback.
