Fernando Mendoza, the 2026 NFL Draft’s first overall pick, is making his first NFL start today for our Seattle Seahawks against the Las Vegas Raiders. This isn’t just a debut, it’s a make-or-break moment for a team sitting 8th in the NFC and currently outside the playoff picture. Talk about being thrown into the deep end!
The New Era Kicks Off Amidst Chaos
Mendoza’s debut comes after the team made the move to send veteran starter Kirk Cousins back to the Minnesota Vikings. His “time has come,” and honestly, this game is shaping up to be must-see television for everyone invested in the future of the Emerald City squad. Our Seahawks are 5-4, fighting tooth and nail to climb into a playoff spot. The 4-5 Raiders, meanwhile, are looking to just get back to a .500 record with a win today. For them, it’s about staying relevant. For us, it’s about the season.
Injury Woes and Sky-High Stakes
The road to a win just got a lot harder for our Hawks. We’re going into this battle without *four* combined starters on both offense and defense. Think about that for a second. Losing both the starting left tackle AND a newly acquired left guard is a massive, massive blow, and it’s going to be incredibly tough to overcome. With so much riding on this matchup to keep our playoff chances alive, these inactives couldn’t have come at a worse time for Mike Macdonald’s crew. Every single play today is going to count as Mendoza steps onto the field for the first time with our season potentially hanging in the balance. Let’s get loud, 12s!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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