The Raiders walked away from their preseason opener with a 27-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, but Thursday night at Allegiant Stadium still gave plenty of material to sort through. The sample size was tiny, sure, but there were enough snaps to spot a few real positives - and a few obvious concerns.
The clearest bright spot was Fernando Mendoza. The numbers were tidy enough on their own: 10 completions on 16 attempts, 96 passing yards and a touchdown.
But the more encouraging part was how he got there. Mendoza showed quick trigger throws and handled the pocket with composure, even if he mixed in a few mistakes.
For a first NFL game, it was the kind of showing that makes you lean in a little more.
Kirk Cousins also made his brief appearance count. In his only drive, he looked in full command of the offense, delivering throws on time and playing with the steady rhythm of a quarterback who knows exactly what he’s doing. He looked like a starter, which is almost certainly what he is going to be week 1 against the Miami Dolphins.
Jack Bech, meanwhile, gave the Raiders another encouraging look. He may not separate in dramatic fashion, but he didn’t need to on Thursday.
Both Cousins and Mendoza found him, and he finished with 3 receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown. That’s the kind of profile the Raiders need from him: reliable hands, comfort working in traffic, and real value over the middle and in the red zone.
The offensive line also left a far better impression than it did a year ago. Last season, the Raiders had the worst offensive line in the NFL.
This time around, the group looked average at worst. Cousins wasn’t sacked, and Mendoza’s sack felt more tied to his own play and the coverage than to the line itself.
Add in Ashton Jeanty and Mike Washington Jr. combining to average 8.7 yards per carry - with Washington’s 53-yard run in the second quarter giving that number a boost - and there’s reason to believe this unit has been repaired.
Two rookies also made noise in a way that could matter down the line. Malik Benson and Mike Washington Jr. both looked good against Arizona.
Washington’s long run was the headline play, but Benson’s performance may have been just as important. He looked like a receiver with real upside, bigger than he was in college and capable of bringing more physicality to the position.
If that carries over, he could outplay expectations early. It also puts Dont’e Thornton Jr. in a tougher spot as roster decisions get closer.
Not everything was encouraging, though. The young cornerbacks had a rough night.
Hezekiah Masses, Jermod McCoy and Darien Porter all got targeted, and none of them really held up. Porter’s touchdown required a perfect throw, but McCoy and Masses in particular probably won’t enjoy the film session.
There’s still time for patience, but Thursday didn’t match the buzz those three have generated in camp.
The pass rush was another problem. Without Maxx Crosby, the Raiders struggled to get after the quarterback, and the pressure looked a lot too familiar for comfort. First-year defensive coordinator Rob Leonard is expected to lean on more blitzes this season, and if Thursday was any indication, that may be the only reliable way to create heat from anyone other than Crosby.
And then there was the kicking game. Kansei Matsuzawa, one of camp’s more intriguing stories, missed a 38-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
He doesn’t have elite leg strength, and on this night he didn’t pair enough accuracy with what he does have. For a kicker without the big leg, that leaves very little margin for error.
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