Fernando Mendoza’s first preseason start in the NFL was not exactly too kind to him.
The Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Mendoza drew the start on Thursday against the Houston Texans. But on his team’s first offensive possession at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas, Mendoza got picked off in the middle of the field by Texas linebacker Wade Woodaz after throwing a pass behind his intended receiver.
Making matters worse was that Woodaz took the interception all the way to the house for an 80-yard pick-six (as Mendoza tried in vain to run him down before ending up on the ground). Here is the video.
FERNANDO MENDOZA THROWS A PICK SIX
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 21, 2026
Welcome to the NFL.
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/3kHqZrcGhk
In response to Mendoza’s ultimate rookie moment, social media users hit him with the memes. Check out some of the funniest ones.
Fernando Mendoza vs. the Texans defense pic.twitter.com/CkObzyoxmz
— Onyx Odds (@OnyxOdds) August 21, 2026
Bro just threw a Turkey club with extra mayo pic.twitter.com/BKSHRpWyhV
— Carlton Banks’ Burner Account (@cbanksburner) August 21, 2026
a couple more of those and Tom Brady is gonna stop liking his Instagram posts https://t.co/AfzCb9FyjJ
— Sassington, M.C. (@MissSassbox) August 21, 2026
Mendoza just threw an italian grinder with extra Peppers and oil wow https://t.co/5PSxpht8pT
— 𝙻𝚎𝙱𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜 (@BronGotGame) August 21, 2026
The No. 1 overall draft pick Mendoza, 22, made his preseason debut last week against the Arizona Cardinals, coming on in relief of fellow Raiders QB Kirk Cousins to go 10/16 for 97 yards and a touchdown. But Mendoza fared much worse against the Texans this week, finishing his day going 8/15 for 86 yards with zero touchdowns and that one embarrassing pick-six.
Mendoza, who was also the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, did recently admit that there were some changes that he was still getting used to in the NFL. He definitely got another big reminder of that on Thursday, albeit at least in a mere exhibition game.
