Raiders about to throw Fernando Mendoza into Seahawks’ QB meat grinder: Inside his first NFL test

Fernando Mendoza will make his first NFL start for the Raiders against Seattle, facing a defence that has repeatedly stifled rookie quarterbacks under coach Mike Macdonald. The matchup is a demanding test for the nine-week-waiting rookie, and the article argues that his prospects will depend partly on the support around him.

Since Macdonald took charge in 2024, rookie quarterbacks have averaged 4.5 yards per attempt against Seattle, with one touchdown and seven interceptions across 174 dropbacks. Four quarterbacks making their first NFL starts against Macdonald’s teams were sacked 15 times and threw nine interceptions without a passing touchdown. The article points to a 2023 Steelers win over Baltimore, when Pittsburgh ran for 183 yards and held the Ravens to 13 points, as a model for how the Raiders could help Mendoza.