The Arizona Cardinals opened their 2026 preseason campaign with a convincing 27–14 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on August 13 at Allegiant Stadium. The Cardinals built their advantage before halftime and then protected it through the second half. Arizona scored in each of the first three quarters, while the Raiders failed to add points after halftime. The result gave the Cardinals a strong road win and offered an early look at several players competing for important roles.
The game also featured several notable quarterback performances. Gardner Minshew completed 14 of 16 passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns, while Jacoby Brissett completed all five of his attempts for 44 yards and another score. On the other side, first overall pick Fernando Mendoza made his preseason debut for Las Vegas, completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. His performance became one of the major talking points despite the Raiders’ eventual defeat.
Final Score and Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
Arizona and Las Vegas traded touchdowns during a competitive first quarter. The Cardinals opened the scoring, but the Raiders answered to make it 7–7. Arizona then took control in the second quarter by adding 14 points while Las Vegas scored once. That gave the Cardinals a 21–14 halftime advantage. The Cardinals’ ability to create separation before halftime proved important because the Raiders could not find another scoring drive afterward.
Arizona added six more points in the third quarter and held the Raiders scoreless during the final two periods. The Cardinals therefore finished the contest with a 27–14 victory. The scoring pattern showed that Arizona’s offense remained productive after the early exchanges, while its defense prevented Las Vegas from turning promising possessions into second-half points.
| Quarter | Arizona Cardinals | Las Vegas Raiders |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 7 | 7 |
| 2nd | 14 | 7 |
| 3rd | 6 | 0 |
| 4th | 0 | 0 |
| Final | 27 | 14 |
Match Details
The preseason matchup was played Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Arizona entered the game after its Hall of Fame Game against Carolina, while this contest served as another opportunity to evaluate players before the regular season. The Cardinals had also planned to give Jacoby Brissett the start, with Gardner Minshew and Kedon Slovis expected to receive additional work. Rookie quarterback Carson Beck did not play because of minor rib discomfort.
For Las Vegas, the game was particularly important because Fernando Mendoza made his first preseason appearance after being selected No. 1 overall. Kirk Cousins started for the Raiders and played one series, while Mendoza followed him. The game also gave several younger players a chance to make their case for roster spots.
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | August 13, 2026 |
| Competition | NFL Preseason |
| Matchup | Arizona Cardinals vs Las Vegas Raiders |
| Venue | Allegiant Stadium |
| Location | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Final Score | Cardinals 27–14 Raiders |
| Arizona Result | Win |
| Las Vegas Result | Loss |
Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Stats
Gardner Minshew delivered the strongest passing performance for Arizona. He completed 14 of 16 attempts for 101 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. His accuracy helped the Cardinals sustain drives and finish multiple possessions with points. Jacoby Brissett was also highly efficient, completing all five of his attempts for 44 yards and a touchdown. Together, Arizona’s quarterbacks gave the offense steady production throughout the game.
Kedon Slovis completed seven of nine passes for 75 yards and did not throw a touchdown or interception. His efficiency added further depth to Arizona’s quarterback performance. The Cardinals finished the night with three passing touchdowns, with Minshew throwing two and Brissett adding one. That distribution allowed Arizona to evaluate multiple quarterbacks while still producing enough offense to secure the win.
| Cardinals Quarterback | C/ATT | Passing Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardner Minshew | 14/16 | 101 | 2 | 0 |
| Kedon Slovis | 7/9 | 75 | 0 | 0 |
| Jacoby Brissett | 5/5 | 44 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 26/30 | 220 | 3 | 0 |
Raiders Quarterback Stats
Fernando Mendoza was one of the most watched players on the field during the preseason opener. The No. 1 overall pick completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and one touchdown. His scoring pass went to Jack Bech for six yards. Mendoza led one touchdown drive during his four series and showed enough command of the offense to earn positive comments from Raiders coach Klint Kubiak.
Kirk Cousins also produced a touchdown during his brief appearance. He completed five of six attempts for 50 yards and connected with Michael Mayer on a 13-yard touchdown. Aidan O’Connell then completed four of 13 attempts for 85 yards. The three quarterbacks combined for 232 passing yards and two touchdowns, but the Raiders could not maintain their early offensive rhythm once the game moved beyond the first half.
| Raiders Quarterback | C/ATT | Passing Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fernando Mendoza | 10/16 | 97 | 1 | 0 |
| Aidan O’Connell | 4/13 | 85 | 0 | 0 |
| Kirk Cousins | 5/6 | 50 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 19/35 | 232 | 2 | 0 |
Key Cardinals Player Performances
Jeremiyah Love made an immediate impression in his preseason debut. The first-round running back started and played the entire first half, finishing with 11 carries for 58 yards and three receptions for 14 yards. His nine-yard run in the second quarter helped set up Simi Fehoko’s touchdown, while Arizona’s official coverage highlighted his burst and ability to create plays in space.
Jalen Brooks also delivered a productive receiving performance, catching six passes for 52 yards and a touchdown. Simi Fehoko added three catches for 23 yards and a touchdown, while Marvin Harrison Jr. caught a seven-yard touchdown from Brissett. Reggie Virgil supplied another big-play moment with a 24-yard reception, showing the depth Arizona had available among its pass catchers.
| Cardinals Player | Category | Statistics |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiyah Love | Rushing | 11 carries, 58 yards |
| Corey Kiner | Rushing | 10 carries, 59 yards |
| Jalen Brooks | Receiving | 6 receptions, 52 yards, 1 TD |
| Reggie Virgil | Receiving | 2 receptions, 43 yards |
| Simi Fehoko | Receiving | 3 receptions, 23 yards, 1 TD |
| Marvin Harrison Jr. | Receiving | 1 reception, 7 yards, 1 TD |
Key Raiders Player Performances
Mike Washington Jr. provided the Raiders with their biggest rushing play of the game. He finished with six carries for 63 yards, including a spectacular 53-yard run. Ashton Jeanty added 16 yards on three carries, while Dylan Laube recorded 11 yards on five attempts. Washington’s explosive run showed that the Raiders had the ability to create big plays on the ground even though the overall offense struggled to keep pace with Arizona.
Jack Bech became one of the more important receiving targets for the Raiders, catching three passes for 25 yards and a touchdown from Mendoza. Michael Mayer also scored, catching two passes for 19 yards. Elijhah Williams produced the Raiders’ longest reception, gaining 41 yards on one catch. These performances gave Las Vegas several encouraging individual moments despite the final result.
| Raiders Player | Category | Statistics |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Washington Jr. | Rushing | 6 carries, 63 yards |
| Ashton Jeanty | Rushing | 3 carries, 16 yards |
| Elijhah Williams | Receiving | 1 reception, 41 yards |
| Jack Bech | Receiving | 3 receptions, 25 yards, 1 TD |
| Michael Mayer | Receiving | 2 receptions, 19 yards, 1 TD |
| Malik Benson | Receiving | 2 receptions, 26 yards |
Team Statistics and Offensive Comparison
The overall numbers show why Arizona controlled the game. Available box-score data lists the Cardinals with 368 total yards and the Raiders with 317, although the official Raiders game-center page displays a different net-yard figure in its team-statistics panel. The player-level totals and ESPN/Fox box-score reporting support the broader picture: Arizona generated more consistent offensive production and held a clear advantage on the scoreboard.
Arizona also held the ball longer, with 34:25 of possession compared with 25:35 for Las Vegas. The Cardinals committed four penalties for 25 yards, while the Raiders had seven penalties for 75 yards. Those discipline numbers mattered because Las Vegas repeatedly gave Arizona opportunities to maintain drives. The Raiders’ inability to score after halftime ultimately proved more important than their competitive first-half showing.
| Team Statistic | Cardinals | Raiders |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 368 | 317 |
| Passing Yards | 220 | 232 |
| Time of Possession | 34:25 | 25:35 |
| Penalties | 4 | 7 |
| Penalty Yards | 25 | 75 |
| Final Score | 27 | 14 |
Important Game Moments
One of the biggest moments came when the Cardinals began pulling away during the second quarter. Love’s rushing work helped set up Fehoko’s touchdown, while Minshew connected with Jalen Brooks for another score. Arizona’s ability to turn its offensive possessions into touchdowns created a seven-point halftime advantage. The Cardinals then added another score in the third quarter, making it increasingly difficult for the Raiders to respond.
For Las Vegas, Mendoza’s touchdown pass to Bech provided an important positive moment in his first preseason game. Cousins had already connected with Mayer for a touchdown on the opening series, giving the Raiders an encouraging start. However, Arizona’s defense kept the Raiders from scoring during the final two quarters. Walter Nolen III also recorded a sack of Mendoza, adding another notable defensive play for the Cardinals.
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Turning Point and Final Result
The decisive stretch arrived in the second and third quarters. Arizona entered halftime with a 21–14 lead after both teams had scored seven points in the opening period. The Cardinals then added six points in the third quarter and prevented Las Vegas from responding. That combination of continued scoring and defensive control transformed a close first half into a comfortable 27–14 victory.
The result gave Arizona a valuable preseason win while giving the Raiders plenty of film to evaluate. Love’s debut, Minshew’s accuracy and Arizona’s three passing touchdowns were major positives. Las Vegas could point to Mendoza’s efficient debut, Washington’s 53-yard run and touchdown catches from Bech and Mayer. Still, the Raiders needed more second-half production and better discipline after committing seven penalties for 75 yards.
Final Match Summary
The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 27–14 on August 13, 2026, in a preseason matchup at Allegiant Stadium. Arizona received strong quarterback play from Minshew and Brissett, while Love provided an encouraging first-half performance. Brooks and Fehoko both caught touchdown passes, and Harrison Jr. added another score. The Cardinals also maintained their advantage after halftime, holding Las Vegas scoreless in the third and fourth quarters.
The Raiders still found several positives despite the loss. Mendoza completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown in his first preseason appearance, while Cousins threw a touchdown on his opening series. Washington’s 63 rushing yards included a 53-yard burst, and Bech and Mayer each caught touchdown passes. Ultimately, Arizona’s stronger second-half performance and better control of the game produced the 27–14 final score.
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