The Houston Texans just wrapped up their first joint practice of the year against the Las Vegas Raiders, and head coach DeMeco Ryans is already buzzing about what he saw. Ryans called it a “really great opportunity,” saying both sides brought “competitive football, physical football.” Sounds like exactly what you want from a pre-season clash, right? He saw a lot of positives, sure, but also knows there’s “a lot to learn, a lot to clean up.” That’s the real talk you want from a coach.
Competitive Clashes and Crucial Lessons
This wasn’t just some casual walkthrough. The Texans were going up against Kirk Cousins and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, getting a look at different schemes and players. Ryans emphasized that they “got out of the joint practice right now exactly what we wanted,” praising the competitive work. It’s all about figuring out where this team stands early in the season, and getting that kind of intense, real-game feel against another squad is invaluable. You can bet the Texans’ defense was chomping at the bit to go against someone new.
Mendoza’s Unblemished Start Meets Houston’s Hungry Defense
Now, here’s where it gets wild. That joint practice was just the warm-up act. Both Houston and Las Vegas are set to play their starters in their preseason game this coming Thursday. This is huge for the Texans because it’ll be their starters’ first preseason action all year! On the other side, it’s Fernando Mendoza’s second game, and the kid has been solid. In his debut against the Arizona Cardinals, he completed 10-of-16 passes, threw his first touchdown, and get this: he hasn’t had a single turnover yet. The Texans’ defense, looking to rebound after their preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, now has a golden opportunity to truly welcome Mendoza to the NFL and force his first turnover outside of practice. This Thursday is going to be electric.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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