Raiders rookie Mendoza eyes starting role as NFL preseason odds take shape

CBS Sports has released its betting analysis for Thursday’s sporting schedule, placing the Las Vegas Raiders versus Houston Texans fixture at the centre of the NFL preseason. Las Vegas is listed as a 1.5-point favourite in the matchup, which marks the first game of Week 2 for the league. The primary narrative surrounding the game involves Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who received extensive snaps with the first-team offence in practice against Houston on Tuesday.

Mendoza’s increased playing time suggests an accelerated timeline for his transition to the starting role, a shift that even incumbent starter Kirk Cousins acknowledges is inevitable. While the rookie was not flawless during practice, including an interception by Jalen Pitre, reports indicate he acquitted himself well against Houston’s defence. The Texans are managing their own roster changes, having lost third-string quarterback Graham Mertz to a torn ACL. Backup Brett Rypien is expected to see action in Thursday’s game, adding depth to a squad that has struggled offensively in recent weeks.

The SportsLine Projection Model, cited by CBS Sports, assigns a “B” grade to the Baltimore Orioles’ +1.5 run line against the New York Yankees, reflecting a 66 per cent chance of covering. This assessment comes amid a debate over a home run call involving Orioles slugger Pete Alonso, who remains on an 11-game hitting streak. Alonso is batting .476 with a .929 slugging percentage, six home runs, and 11 runs batted in during this stretch.

In other Major League Baseball action, the analysis highlights injury concerns for New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom, who was removed from his last start after two innings due to right triceps fatigue. DeGrom is already managing left hip and glute issues, and the Washington Nationals face a 45 per cent chance of winning their matchup, earning a “C” grade from the model. Meanwhile, the Houston Astros are projected to have a 65 per cent chance of victory against the Los Angeles Angels, with the model assigning a “C” grade to the Astros money line.

The second NFL fixture on the schedule features the San Francisco 49ers hosting the Los Angeles Chargers in Inglewood. San Francisco will be without quarterback Kurtis Rourke due to a rib injury, paving the way for starter Brock Purdy to make his preseason debut. However, much of the workload may fall to Adrian Martinez, who posted a 68.6 passer rating in the previous week. The model identifies the Under 39 as a key betting option for this game, noting that both teams scored modestly in their respective preseason openers.

Overall, the betting landscape for Thursday is defined by roster adjustments and the strategic use of backup personnel in the NFL, while MLB markets focus on the performance of key pitchers and the sustained output of star hitters. The analysis underscores how institutional decisions, such as practice allocations and injury management, directly influence the odds and projected outcomes for these high-profile matchups.