In the NFL preseason, Cardinals rookie shines in debut against Fernando Mendoza
Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love had a standout performance over Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza on the night of August 14, 2026, during the start of the NFL preseason. The clash was one of the most anticipated, bringing together two of the most talked about rookies in the 2026 Draft. Love stood out in the Cardinals’ 27-14 victory over the Raiders, at Allegiant Stadium, while Mendoza, despite throwing his first touchdown, faced challenges connecting with the other offensive players. The early performances of rookies with high draft picks are closely watched, as they indicate the potential for development and the impact they can have on their franchises.
Jeremiyah Love didn’t record points, but he was essential to his team’s running game, racking up a combined 72 yards in 14 appearances, including aerial receptions. After not appearing in the Hall of Fame game the previous week, the freshman played as a starter and dominated the backfield before being rested in the second half, reinforcing the Cardinals’ decision to select him with the third pick of the first round.
Fernando Mendoza, in turn, started the match on the bench, watching starter Kirk Cousins. The first overall pick quarterback had the chance to showcase his talent in four offensive sequences. Two of those drives resulted in three-and-outs and punt returns, one culminated in a touchdown and another in a missed 38-yard field goal. Despite not having a spectacular performance, Mendoza demonstrated consistency, completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown, in addition to suffering a sack, reaching a rating of 100.3 in his NFL debut.
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In addition to the night’s main clash, five other games marked the start of the first week of the pre-season. While many eyes were on Mendoza, another freshman quarterback turned in an impressive performance, leading the Steelers to a thrilling victory in his debut.
Highlight for the freshmen’s first plays
In the clash between Raiders and Cardinals, which generated great expectations about their first-round rookies, both teams started with part of their starters at Allegiant Stadium. For the home team, Fernando Mendoza, the first overall pick in the Draft, watched from the bench as starter Kirk Cousins and running back Ashton Jeanty led the attack for a touchdown, completed by tight end Michael Mayer.
The Cardinals responded in kind. With his main players in the first plays, quarterback Jacob Brissett led a campaign that also resulted in a touchdown, after a pass connected with Marvin Harrisson Jr. In this same offensive sequence, Jeremiyah Love was widely used on downs, contributing with significant advances, as was receiver Michael Wilson.
Mendoza took the field for his NFL debut on the Raiders’ second drive, joined by other backups in the preseason roster rotation routine. His first pass in the league was incomplete, but he then found an opportunity to complete the attempt and renew the downs with a “first down”. However, the running game was unsuccessful and the team suffered a penalty, having to return the ball.
While some of the Cardinals’ reserves were activated, Love maintained control of the carries in the backfield. The freshman found spaces and ensured the team’s advance, helping reserve quarterback Gardner Minshew reach the red zone and throw a pass for the team’s second touchdown, putting the score at 14-7.
Upon returning to the field, Mendoza led his first touchdown drive, advancing 92 yards and tying the game. With decisive passes and a 53-yard run from fellow freshman Mike Washington Kr., the Indiana quarterback found Jack Bech in the end zone to equalize the game again.
However, an inspired Minshew threw his second touchdown and ended the first half with perfect numbers, leading the Cardinals at halftime with a 21-14 lead. After a busy first half, the intensity of the match decreased in the third quarter, and no other touchdowns were scored.
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Mendoza still had two more opportunities in the final part of the game, but faced incomplete passes and saw his kicker miss a field goal from less than 40 yards. He returned to the bench, and the Raiders did not change the score any further. To seal the result, the visitors converted two field goals, consolidating the victory.
Standout rookie performance for the Steelers
Two rookies from the 2026 Draft were crucial in the Steelers’ upset of the Packers, in a game with teams full of reserves. After a first half without much emotion, with the Pittsburgh team trailing 9-7, rookie quarterback Drew Allar was called into action and exceeded expectations.
A third-round pick this year, Allar threw his first pass for a 74-yard strike from fellow rookie Kaden Wetjen. In the same campaign, the quarterback scored his first touchdown in the league by crossing the end zone line with his own legs. Later in the fourth quarter, the pair repeated the connection, this time for a 5-yard touchdown.
The quarterback returned to the field and threw another touchdown, sealing the score at 28-9. Allar finished the game with 10 of 13 completed passes, 154 air yards and an almost perfect passer rating of 155.1, totaling three total touchdowns.
Other pre-season round matches
Without their starters, the Patriots and Colts had their first tie of the preseason, finishing 13-13. New England’s defense did its job, with two interceptions and two recovered fumbles, one of them at the 1-yard line, but the offense did not respond. On the Indianapolis side, reserve quarterback Anthony Richardson scored a ground touchdown, but threw an interception and suffered a fumble, finishing with 11 of 16 completed passes for 145 air yards. The player, fourth overall pick in the 2023 Draft, had requested a trade in January to seek new opportunities, after Daniel Jones established himself as a starter.
The Chargers beat the Texans 27-7 with a dominant performance in the running game, recording the most impressive victory of the night. In his second season in the league, Amar Johnson scored two touchdowns on his six carries, boosting the team. Trey Lance, quarterback selected third overall by the 49ers in the 2021 Draft, completed 12 of 20 passes for 164 yards, suffered an interception and two sacks.
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The Bengals outscored the Lions 16-14 in a game that had Joe Burrow on the field in the first quarter. The star quarterback completed five of his six passes, but suffered a sack and didn’t score. The team’s only touchdown was thrown by Joe Flacco, the 41-year-old backup who has been in the NFL since 2008.
Closing the night’s round, the Titans came out with full force and beat the 49ers’ reserves 19 to 13. With quarterback Cam Ward and the main offensive players as starters, the Tennessee franchise opened the scoring with Tony Pollard finishing a 96-yard campaign. The team leader, however, did not perform well, completing less than half of his passes. On San Francisco’s side, with a completely alternate team, the highlight was rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, selected in the second round, who caught seven of eight passes in his direction to lead the corps of receivers with 63 yards.
Final score of games ending on August 14th
- Lions 14 x 16 Bengals
- Packers 9 x 28 Steelers
- Colts 13 x 13 Patriots
- Chargers 27 x 7 Texans
- Cardinals 27 x 14 Raiders
- Titans 13 x 19 49ers
Confrontations scheduled for August 15
- Broncos vs Falcons
- Buccaneers vs. Jets
- Dolphins x Commanders
Upcoming disputes on August 16
- Panthers vs Bills
- Browns vs Bears
- Vikings vs Giants
- Rams vs Chiefs
- Jaguars vs Saints
- Eagles x Ravens
- Cowboys vs Seahawks
