Raiders Stick With Kirk Cousins at Quarterback; Kubiak Says Mendoza Will Play 'at Some Point'
Update: Kubiak said Monday there is "no controversy" and Kirk Cousins starts Sunday at the Jets. Fernando Mendoza "is going to play at some point. It's not going to be this week."
After a 35-21 home loss to the Rams, Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak would not rule out starting No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza over Kirk Cousins. "I think at this point, we're thinking about everything to fix our problems," Kubiak said.
What is wrong in Las Vegas?
The Raiders started 3-0 and have lost four straight, the third team in 10 seasons to do that. Their defense has allowed 35.8 points and 416.5 yards a game since Week 4, and they have not run for 100 yards since Week 3. "You can't win in this league having to throw it as much as we are throwing," Kubiak said. He did not consider a switch during Sunday's game because the team stayed competitive late.
What did Cousins say?
That nothing changes for him. "I want the football team to have the best chance to win games," he said, praising Mendoza's development. Cousins leads the league with 16 touchdown passes against five interceptions. Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner, has played once, going 6 of 8 for 48 yards late in the Week 5 loss at New England.
Who starts in Week 8?
Cousins. "Kirk is playing really well, and we're in the hunt," Kubiak said, adding that Cousins "has got to continue to do that for us to win." The team has a plan for Mendoza but no timeline for his first start.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Raiders' Kubiak on switching to QB Mendoza: 'We're thinking about everything'
- ESPN: Kirk Cousins to remain Raiders' starting QB vs. Jets, Klint Kubiak says
Las Vegas Raiders betting odds
Super Bowl futures, win totals & where to bet
FanDuel Sportsbook: Get $200 in Bonus Bets When You Wager $5 for 4 Days. New customers only. Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook, verify your account, and make a deposit of at least $5. Place a single online real-money wager of $5+ between 3 AM ET and 11:59 PM ET each day for 4 consecutive days starting from your first eligible wager. Maximum bonus of $50 per day ($200 total). Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire 7 days after receipt. The 4-day period begins once you're opted in to the promotion. Eligibility and state restrictions apply. See the current offer and full terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com.
21+ and present in select states. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). FanDuel is offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, KY, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA, VT), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).
Fanatics Sportsbook: Up to $1,000 in FanCash Matched Bets. New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV or WY. Apply the promotion in your bet slip and place a $1+ cash wager (min odds -200) daily for 10 consecutive days starting the day of account creation. FanCash rewards equal the qualifying wager amount (max $100 FanCash per day). FanCash issued under this promotion expires at 11:59 p.m. ET 7 days from issuance. Terms, including FanCash terms, apply - see the Fanatics Sportsbook app.
21+ and present in a state where Fanatics Sportsbook operates. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Touchdown Week may earn a commission when you sign up through our links, at no cost to you. Please bet responsibly.
