Raiders Fall 20-3 to Texans in NFL Preseason Week 2 as Mendoza's Pick-Six Sparks Rally; Aidan O'Connell Takes Relief Snaps

On Thursday, August 20, 2026, Fernando Mendoza’s pick-six night unfolded as the Houston Texans defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 20-3 at NRG Stadium in NFL Preseason Week 2, a nationally televised matchup on ESPN that centered on the 2026 NFL Draft’s No. 1 overall pick getting extended first-half reps for the Raiders while backup Aidan O’Connell handled later snaps. Houston built a 17-0 first-quarter lead behind a Woody Marks touchdown run, an 80-yard pick-six by linebacker Wade Woodaz off Mendoza, and a 51-yard field goal from Ka’imi Fairbairn — then added a 57-yard Fairbairn kick in the second quarter after Matt Gay booted a 52-yarder for Las Vegas’ only points.

Kickoff was 7:00 p.m. CT (8:00 p.m. ET). Both clubs entered at 0-1 after opening-week exhibition losses — the Raiders to Arizona and the Texans to the Los Angeles Chargers — and had spent the week in joint practices before meeting on Houston’s home turf.

Editor’s note: This article draws on game data and reporting from ESPN, NFL.com, Houston Texans.com, USA TODAY Sports, and the Las Vegas Review-Journal, August 20, 2026.

Game at a glance

Detail	Information
Date	Thursday, August 20, 2026
Venue	NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
Week	NFL Preseason Week 2
Kickoff	7:00 p.m. CT / 8:00 p.m. ET
National TV	ESPN
Final	Texans 20, Raiders 3
Quarter lines	LV 0-3-0-0, HOU 17-3-0-0

How the scoring unfolded

Houston dominated the opening frame. Woody Marks capped a 10-play, 69-yard drive with a 20-yard touchdown run at 10:06 of the first quarter, and Ka’imi Fairbairn’s extra point gave the Texans a 7-0 lead.

Roughly two minutes later, Mendoza’s night turned. Wade Woodaz jumped Mendoza’s intended target, intercepted the pass, and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown — the pick-six that pushed Houston to 14-0 with 8:18 left in the quarter.

Fairbairn extended the margin with a 51-yard field goal at 3:04, making it 17-0 Texans after a 48-yard drive.

Las Vegas finally reached the scoreboard in the second quarter. Matt Gay connected from 52 yards at 13:34, cutting the deficit to 17-3. Houston answered before the half when Fairbairn drilled a 57-yard field goal with 38 seconds remaining in the second quarter, sealing the 20-3 margin that held through the rest of the exhibition.

Scoring summary

Quarter	Play	Score
1st	Woody Marks 20-yard rush (HOU)	HOU 7, LV 0
1st	Wade Woodaz 80-yard interception return (HOU)	HOU 14, LV 0
1st	Ka’imi Fairbairn 51-yard field goal (HOU)	HOU 17, LV 0
2nd	Matt Gay 52-yard field goal (LV)	HOU 17, LV 3
2nd	Ka’imi Fairbairn 57-yard field goal (HOU)	HOU 20, LV 3

Mendoza and the Raiders’ quarterback plan

Raiders coach Klint Kubiak had signaled all week that Mendoza would see heavy preseason work. Before kickoff, Kubiak told reporters Mendoza “needs every one” of those reps, and Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the rookie was expected to play the first half against Houston.

Mendoza entered Thursday after a promising but uneven debut in the Week 1 home loss to Arizona — 10 of 16 for 97 yards and one touchdown in that game, per game statistics. Against the Texans, his most costly moment came on the first-quarter pick-six to Woodaz, a reminder that live NFL speed punishes even highly drafted quarterbacks.

Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas’ expected Week 1 starter, was dressed and warmed up at NRG Stadium but did not factor into the early offensive plan the way Mendoza did. Backup Aidan O’Connell and other reserve quarterbacks handled later snaps as Kubiak rotated through the roster.

The Raiders also leaned on Mike Washington Jr. on the ground — he finished with 55 yards on nine carries through extended action, including a 33-yard burst — while Dont’e Laube added 10 yards on one carry. Jalen Nailor led receivers with 22 yards on one catch in the first half.

Joint practices with Houston earlier in the week had given Mendoza reps against the Texans’ defense, including time with the first-team offense on Tuesday. Thursday was the payoff test on a national stage — and the first quarter, at least, went Houston’s way.

Texans offense and defense

Houston rotated Davis Mills and C.J. Stroud behind center while evaluating depth across the roster. Mills completed 11 of 15 passes for 93 yards; Stroud went 4 of 6 for 27 yards without a turnover through the first half.

Marks’ touchdown run was the offensive highlight — a physical 20-yard score that showcased the running back’s power through contact. On defense, Woodaz’s pick-six was the defining play, turning a Mendoza mistake into a three-possession swing in a game where Houston’s starters were not expected to play deep into the night.

Fairbairn’s leg accounted for 10 points, connecting from 51 and 57 yards — both field goals stretching well beyond 50. Marlin Klein led Houston receivers with 31 yards on three catches in the first half.

Context and what comes next

Preseason scores do not carry into September, but Thursday’s result fits a broader evaluation window for both franchises.

For the Raiders, Mendoza’s draft capital and Kubiak’s public commitment to giving him reps make every snap consequential — even when the box score is lopsided. The pick-six will draw the headlines, but Washington’s running and Gay’s long field goal offered small positives on a night Houston controlled early.

For the Texans, a home win against a joint-practice partner adds confidence for backup units and special teams. Marks and Woodaz gave Houston tangible highlights beyond the final margin.

Las Vegas falls to 0-2 in exhibition play; Houston improves to 1-1. Both teams continue trimming rosters and refining rotations ahead of Preseason Week 3 and the regular-season openers in September.

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Discussion

Thursday at NRG Stadium was billed as Mendoza’s extended audition — and Houston’s defense made the first quarter a teaching tape.

1. Mendoza threw a pick-six on national TV but is still getting first-half starter reps ahead of Kirk Cousins. After a 20-3 loss, does one preseason quarter change how quickly Las Vegas should push its No. 1 pick — or is this exactly why Kubiak wants him on the field now?

2. Wade Woodaz’s 80-yard interception return turned a single mistake into a 14-point swing before halftime. In August games with rotating personnel, how much weight should a pick-six carry when evaluating a rookie quarterback versus the rest of his line?

Share your read on whether Mendoza’s night was a normal growing pain or a red flag for a franchise betting its future on a first overall pick.

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