# Raiders fans earn right to hope for brighter days ahead as Mendoza era begins

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/raiders-fans-earn-right-to-hope-for-brighter-days-ahead-as-mendoza-era-begins/
- Published: 2026-11-15T13:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-15T13:20:49+00:00
- Original publisher: New York Post (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://nypost.com/2026/11/15/sports/raiders-fans-fernando-mendoza-era-kicks-off/
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Fernando Mendoza makes his first NFL start for Las Vegas.
- The 4-5 Raiders face defending champions Seattle.
- His progress may matter more than the immediate win-loss record.

## Summary

The Raiders are beginning a new chapter as first overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza makes his first NFL start against Seattle. At 4-5, Las Vegas has little margin for error, but the change at quarterback has given fans reason to imagine a late push towards the play-offs and renewed optimism.

That hope needs to be balanced against the team’s weaknesses: the Raiders struggle to run the ball and to stop opponents doing so, and Seattle are the defending Super Bowl champions. Mendoza may make mistakes as he adjusts, as many highly drafted quarterbacks have; his response to setbacks and ability to keep drives going could be more telling than the result of any one game. The article points to Jim Plunkett’s unlikely rise from former first pick to Super Bowl MVP as a reminder that early expectations do not determine a career.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.