After the Las Vegas Raiders traded Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings, ticket prices for Sunday's game at Allegiant Stadium rose significantly as fans anticipate Fernando Mendoza's first NFL start.
Behind the scenes, the Raiders have been preparing Mendoza for his first game. So what could we expect from him and the offense in a tough matchup against the Seattle Seahawks?
Also, the Raiders' defense will look to avoid giving up 30-plus points in seven straight games, which would be an NFL record. Will it limit an offense led by backup quarterback Drew Lock?
Fernando Mendoza shows flashes while Raiders defense snaps 30-plus-point streak
Fernando Mendoza throws two touchdown passes
The Raiders haven't had a running back score a touchdown since Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills. Kirk Cousins logged the team's last two rushing scores. Mendoza takes over an offense that relies heavily on the passing game.
So, in order for Las Vegas to be competitive, he must be sharp, or this could turn into a lopsided battle.
Either way, Mendoza should be able to toss a couple of touchdown passes. Of course, he can use his legs, but head coach Klint Kubiak may not want to see his rookie quarterback take too many hits in his first game.
Expect Mendoza to target Brock Bowers early and often, take shots downfield to Tre Tucker and dump passes off to Ashton Jeanty for easier completions to move the chains.
Malik Benson records his first catch since Week 5
As mentioned in the underrated storylines leading up to this game, Mendoza built a rapport with wideout Malik Benson from spring through summer. The rookie duo could translate their offseason connection into regular-season production.
So far, Benson has played sparingly, taking the field for 11 percent of the offensive snaps through seven games. He's caught just two of his nine targets for 12 yards and hasn't recorded a reception in about a month.
Benson is unlikely to see a sudden spike in playing time, but if Mendoza trusts him, he could see a steady increase over the next several weeks. Look for the two to connect at least once on Sunday.
Raiders allow fewer than 30 points
Under scrutiny, defensive coordinator Rob Leonard offered a reason why his unit is struggling to make stops. The Raiders are approaching history they don't want to make, and it puts Leonard in one-and-done territory as a play-caller.
For the first time this season, the Raiders will face a backup quarterback. It'll be Drew Lock, whom Kubiak knows from his time as the Seahawks' offensive coordinator.
In Week 2, against the Arizona Cardinals, the Seahawks scored 31 points with Lock filling in for an injured Sam Darnold. So, the Raiders shouldn't take him lightly.
However, the Raiders could be more competitive than the Cardinals, even with Mendoza making his first start. Regardless, the defense should be able to slow down a team that has scored fewer than 21 points in four straight games, with and without Darnold.
Moe Moton writes about the Raiders for Just Blog Baby. You can follow him on Twitter at @MoeMoton.
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