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

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Key points

• 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.
• Woodaz never broke stride, leaving Mendoza sprawled on the turf as he finished off the 80-yard return.
• This one belonged entirely to Mendoza, the Raiders' rookie quarterback and first overall pick in the NFL draft.
• Mendoza fired the ball behind Washington and directly into the arms of Woodaz.
• Almost right on cue, it arrived Thursday night in his first NFL start.

See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The California Post on Google. 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. An 80-yard pick six by Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz.

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

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

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

For now, fernando Mendoza's welcome-to-the-NFL moment happens soon against Texans remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.