The Las Vegas Raiders drafted Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall back in April to be their quarterback of the future. Well, the future is now. The Raiders traded away veteran QB Kirk Cousins earlier this week, meaning that Mendoza is slated to be Las Vegas' new QB1.
Mendoza saw limited action against the Patriots back in Week 5, completing 6 of his 8 passes for 43 yards in mop-up duty. But now that he's had 10 weeks to sit behind Cousins and learn the ways of an NFL starting quarterback, Mendoza is now poised to be a regular NFL starter.
Fernando Mendoza has a pair of tough assignments in his first weeks as an NFL starter
Mendoza couldn't have drawn a tougher opponent for his NFL starting debut. Mendoza's much-anticipated first NFL start is set for this Sunday, November 15 against the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks are the reigning Super Bowl champions and own arguably the most dangerous defense in the league.
The Seahawks are allowing just 244.2 total yards of offense per game to their opponents, which is the best mark in the NFL. Mendoza may have trouble finding success through the air, as Seattle owns the league's best passing defense by surrendering just 155.1 yards per game through the air. They are also giving up just 18.0 points per game, which is tied for 4th.
No matter how you slice it, Mendoza has a tough draw going against the Seahawks in his first NFL start. At least it's at home and not in Seattle.
After battling the Seahawks, Mendoza has a brutal stretch of opposing defenses that he will have to face. Following this weekend's clash with Seattle, Mendoza and the Raiders will face the Broncos, Browns, Chargers, and the Broncos again. That is the 3rd-toughest schedule of defenses for any offense in the NFL from Weeks 10-15.
the Fernando Mendoza era begins vs the following defenses:
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 10, 2026
Seahawks
Broncos
Browns
Chargers
Broncos (again)
#3 toughest schedule of defenses for any offense in the NFL from Week 10-15 pic.twitter.com/7UkMzZnXmi
Despite facing a gauntlet of a schedule to begin his NFL career as a starter, Mendoza will be prepared. His extreme dedication to preparation and attention to detail were a stable of his college career, and played a vital role in his overwhelming success at Indiana. He won't be phased by the moment or the challenge ahead.
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Furthermore, the Raiders knew about this stretch of games but still decided to trade Cousins, a 14-year NFL veteran, away to Minnesota. They wouldn't have made that move if they weren't confident in Mendoza's abilities. It's clear that the Raiders have plenty of faith in Mendoza's ability to make an immediate impact as QB1.
One thing's for sure: Indiana football fans will be rooting hard for Mendoza throughout the course of his NFL career. Mendoza is a Hoosier legend, and orchestrated one of the greatest college football seasons the sport has ever seen. It's only a matter of time before the a statue outside of Memorial Stadium pops up.
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