The Las Vegas Raiders have turned to rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, shipping veteran Kirk Cousins at the trade deadline.
On Tuesday, the Raiders traded Cousins and elevated Mendoza to starter, dropping their record to 4-5 after a 3-0 start.
Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner, led Indiana to a national championship in his only college season and will make his first start on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, the NFL's top defense, while Las Vegas's defense has allowed 30 or more points in six straight games.