The Kirk Cousins era in Las Vegas is over. The Fernando Mendoza era is officially underway. After trading Cousins to Minnesota, the Raiders have handed the keys to their No. 1 overall pick. This turns the final stretch of the 2026 season into a defining audition for their future. Mendoza has barely played in the regular season. However, his arrival gives an inconsistent offense a different dimension. Ahead of the Raiders' Week 10 matchup against Seattle, here are three bold predictions for the rest of the season.
The road to this moment has been a roller coaster. Las Vegas opened with three straight wins over Miami, the Chargers, and New Orleans. That was before enduring four consecutive defeats against Kansas City, New England, Buffalo, and the Rams. A road victory over the Jets briefly stopped the slide. However, a loss to San Francisco in Week 9 dropped the Raiders to 4-5. The front office then traded Cousins for a 2027 third-round pick. That should clear the way for Mendoza to start. In his only regular-season appearance, against New England, Mendoza completed six of eight passes for 48 yards. The sample size is tiny, but the Raiders are choosing upside over the familiar floor of a veteran quarterback.
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Mendoza stepping into the starting role midway through the season is a major challenge. That said, Klint Kubiak's offensive system can give him a manageable runway. The Raiders do not need their new quarterback to carry the offense with high-volume passing immediately. They can build around Ashton Jeanty's rushing threat and move the pocket to take advantage of Mendoza's athleticism. That should create opportunities for him to contribute as both a passer and a runner.
The supporting cast is also good enough to make this prediction realistic. Brock Bowers is one of the league's most productive tight ends. Tre Tucker can stretch defenses vertically. Malik Benson offers another downfield option. Tyler Linderbaum's presence at center should also help organize protection and give Mendoza a stable launch point. The bold call: Mendoza produces at least 15 combined passing and rushing touchdowns over the Raiders' final eight games. That is ambitious for a quarterback with only eight regular-season pass attempts. However, a full week of starter reps and the playmakers around him give him room to grow. The Seahawks and Broncos will provide difficult early tests. Still, Mendoza's ability to make plays outside the pocket could give Las Vegas an offensive dimension it has lacked.
Brock Bowers averages 85 yards per game
Bowers should be the biggest beneficiary of the quarterback change. Through seven games, the Raiders tight end has collected 48 receptions for 658 yards and six touchdowns. He is averaging 94 yards per appearance. He has also topped 90 receiving yards in three of his last four outings. That production makes him an ideal safety net for Mendoza.
Mendoza does not need to force throws into tight windows when his tight end can create separation or present a reliable target. As the quarterback becomes more comfortable, their connection could become the foundation of the passing game. The prediction is that Bowers averages at least 85 receiving yards per game over the final eight contests. He finishes among the league's most productive tight ends. Matchups against Cleveland, the Chargers, and Tennessee could offer opportunities for the Raiders to feature him heavily.
Raiders finish 9-8
The third prediction is the most ambitious: Las Vegas wins five of its remaining eight games. They will make the AFC playoff race uncomfortable. The schedule is hardly a cakewalk. The Raiders open Mendoza's starting tenure against the Seahawks, travel to Denver, and then face Cleveland. After their Week 13 bye, they play the Chargers, Broncos, Titans, Cardinals and Chiefs. There are opportunities to compete if the offense finds a rhythm, though.
Mendoza's mobility and willingness to attack downfield could inject energy into a group that has looked predictable at times. Jeanty can keep the offense balanced. Bowers gives the quarterback a high-volume target. Tucker can punish defenses that crowd the box. On the other side, Maxx Crosby remains the tone-setter for the defense. The Raiders just need Mendoza to play with timely decisions, efficient drives, and to avoid the turnovers.
Five victories would bring Las Vegas to 9-8. It is a bold forecast with Seattle, Denver and Kansas City looming. However, the Cousins trade signals that the Raiders want to see what Mendoza can do now. The final eight games could establish whether the franchise has found its quarterback and a foundation worth building around.