Fernando Mendoza’s second preseason interception highlights Raiders-49ers finale as Las Vegas closes camp at 1-2

The Las Vegas Raiders finished their preseason finale with a tough look at the margins, dropping an 18-12 decision to the San Francisco 49ers and officially closing the books on training camp. The game itself reflected the nature of late-summer evaluation, with no touchdowns scored and a combined 10 field goals, a setting in which defensive plays and mistake prevention can stand out even when the scoreboard is slow to change.

Mendoza’s impact came through the interception column. According to the game recap, he logged his second interception of the preseason during the Raiders-49ers matchup, continuing a pattern of producing takeaways late in the formation-and-evaluation period where coaching staffs are still searching for consistency at every level.

For the Raiders, the loss also lands on a wider trend in the preseason portion of their schedule. The defeat leaves Las Vegas at 1-2 over the last three weeks, a record that does not determine anything about regular-season standings, but often influences how teams think about priorities for the final roster set before Week 1.

San Francisco’s win, meanwhile, fits the typical preseason profile of controlling possessions and avoiding big swings even when backups are getting significant looks. When a game turns into a field-goal-heavy affair, the team that limits defensive breakdowns and keeps drives alive often wins the “process” battle, and the 49ers ultimately did enough to finish with the better total.

For fans and personnel evaluators, the practical takeaway from a finale like this is not only which players produced, but who showed steadiness across multiple phases. With touchdowns absent, the questions shift toward red-zone efficiency, third-down conversions, and the ability to protect the football. Mendoza’s interception is one clear data point, but the larger evaluation is whether the Raiders can convert late-game opportunities into points without relying on the same kinds of kicks.

As the offseason work resets, the Raiders head into the regular season with the kind of transitional clarity that preseason endings provide: certain roles tend to solidify after these last live reps, and coaching staffs typically begin emphasizing how those improvements translate against starters who now matter for 60 minutes, not 10 or 15 drives. Mendoza’s ability to find the ball may carry weight in how the staff measures defensive readiness as camp closes.

The next watch is straightforward: after a preseason where the emphasis is on takeaways and fundamentals, the regular-season test will reveal whether those strengths hold up in higher-leverage moments, and whether the Raiders’ defensive playmaking can remain consistent when the margins tighten further.