Fernando Mendoza’s welcome-to-the-NFL moment happens soon against Texans

HOUSTON — Fernando Mendoza’s welcome-to-the-NFL moment was bound to happen.

Almost right on cue, it arrived Thursday night in his first NFL start.

And it was painful.

An 80-yard pick six by Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz.

Ouch.

This one belonged entirely to Mendoza, the Raiders’ rookie quarterback and first overall pick in the NFL draft.

One play after Mike Washington ripped off a 33-yard run to the Texans’ 24-yard line, Mendoza went back to Washington, this time through the air.

Bad idea. Worse throw.

Mendoza fired the ball behind Washington and directly into the arms of Woodaz, who stepped in front of the pass and suddenly had nothing but green grass between himself and the end zone.

Mendoza immediately gave chase.

He stayed with Woodaz as long as he could, eventually launching himself in a desperate diving attempt to prevent the touchdown.

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No chance.

Woodaz never broke stride, leaving Mendoza sprawled on the turf as he finished off the 80-yard return.

It was the kind of mistake Mendoza largely avoided throughout training camp and his preseason debut. But it was also the kind of mistake virtually every young quarterback eventually makes.

Welcome to the NFL.