The Seahawks will face a different Raiders quarterback on Sunday, with rookie Fernando Mendoza set for his first NFL start after the Raiders traded Kirk Cousins to the Vikings this week.
That change gives this Seahawks Vs Raiders matchup a new layer of intrigue, even if the broader picture has not changed much for Seattle. The Seahawks beat the Cardinals last weekend to improve to 5-4, and they enter the game with the fewest yards and passing yards allowed in the NFL this season. That has been the defining strength of Mike Macdonald's defense.
What changed for the Raiders
The Raiders turned to Mendoza this week after dealing Cousins to the Vikings, putting a first-year quarterback in the middle of a season that has already taken several turns. Las Vegas started 3-0 under first-year head coach Klint Kubiak, but the team has lost five of its last six games and now has to adjust again at quarterback.
That makes Sunday's trip to Allegiant Stadium a difficult test for a young passer making his debut in the starting role. Mendoza comes in with no NFL tape for Seattle to study, which is part of what makes the matchup notable for the Seahawks defense.
Seattle's defensive challenge
Byron Murphy II said the lack of film on Mendoza makes the preparation more challenging, and that the defense will need to be sharp up front. He noted that Mendoza can make all the throws, but also emphasized that the Seahawks have to rush together and communicate at a high level if they want to affect the rookie quarterback.
Macdonald also framed the game as something close to a divisional matchup because of the familiarity between the staffs. He pointed out that he and Kubiak worked together on a Seahawks Super Bowl title team, and said there are parallels between the two sides even though both teams have evolved since then.
For Seattle, the task is straightforward: stay disciplined against an unfamiliar quarterback and lean on a defense that has already made life difficult for opposing offenses all season. For the Raiders, Sunday is a chance to see what Mendoza can bring in his first start, even as the pressure of the standings keeps building.
