Fernando Mendoza, the Las Vegas Raiders' rookie first-round pick, impressed in his NFL preseason debut on Thursday night, throwing a touchdown pass without a turnover and posting a 100.3 quarterback rating over nearly three quarters. His performance sparked comparisons to club minority owner Tom Brady's own low-key NFL debut in 2000, though coach Klint Kubiak made clear that veteran Kirk Cousins remains the intended starter unless something drastic changes.

Mendoza completed more than three times as many passes and yards as Brady managed on his 2000 debut against San Francisco 49ers backups, while avoiding any turnovers. Despite the favourable comparison, Mendoza credited his teammates, coaches and faith rather than his own performance, and described himself as more interested in studying game tape than enjoying Las Vegas nightlife. Kubiak said Cousins, who has taken first-team reps throughout training camp, has had a solid camp and that the starting job remains his to lose.