The Las Vegas Raiders sought an honest assessment during a joint practice with the Houston Texans, and the reality of their current rebuilding stage was starkly evident against one of the NFL's top defenses. The two-hour session in the Houston heat Tuesday served as a "measuring stick," as described by Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins, revealing significant deficiencies, particularly along the offensive line.
"We all know that we’re not anywhere near where we want to be," said Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak. "We’ve got to keep getting better."
The Raiders' offensive line struggled to provide adequate pass protection and create running lanes. Quarterbacks Cousins and Fernando Mendoza were frequently under duress, and running back Ashton Jeanty found limited room to operate. The Texans' defensive front consistently compressed the pocket, highlighting a critical area for the Raiders to address if their offensive system is to function as intended.
Despite the challenges, there are glimmers of progress. The team has a proven presence at left tackle in Kolton Miller and acquired Tyler Linderbaum to bolster the interior. Kubiak and offensive line coach Rick Dennison are working to build a tougher, more cohesive unit. However, the practice with Houston underscored the gap between improvement and readiness against elite competition.
Both Cousins and Mendoza experienced difficulties against the Texans' pass rush. Cousins, who is slated to be the season-opening starter, threw the Raiders' lone touchdown pass of the day, but also committed a costly interception returned for a touchdown on the final play of practice. Mendoza, the team's first overall draft pick, showed flashes of potential, including a 25-yard completion to tight end Brock Bowers, but also threw a pick-six after misreading the defense.
"I think today was a great reminder that, hey, we got more work to do, we got more details to lock in on," Cousins stated. "I was pleased with the way we made some plays, just would have loved to have finished the last period, I guess, with more production."
For Mendoza, the practice provided an invaluable lesson in the speed and intensity of NFL defenses. "I think it’s great to get the speed of the game because every group is fast, but the ones might be elevated a little bit more," Mendoza said. "So, to get that speed of the game, be in there, be able to not only execute the play, but also command the huddle, see and read the defense pre-snap, post-snap. There’s so many different elements that I think are elevated and accelerated with that group."
The joint practice, while at times "painful," was precisely what the Raiders needed, according to the team's perspective. They sought exposure of their weaknesses and a defense capable of punishing mistakes, a lesson they received from the Texans. With just over three weeks remaining before their season opener, understanding the extent of the work still required is seen as a crucial takeaway from the Houston visit.