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By Andrew Gould
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Calls for the Las Vegas Raiders to make a quarterback change quickly followed Sunday's 38-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Kirk Cousins bought more leeway as the starter after leading the Raiders to a 3-0 start, but they fell to 4-5 after he threw three interceptions in Week 9. CBS Sports columnist Pete Prisco argued that the Raiders must now turn to rookie Fernando Mendoza.
"It's time. Now is the time," Prisco said. "The Raiders aren't going to the postseason. They're not getting to the playoffs. And so, get on it with Fernando Mendoza and let him play."
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Despite Sunday's rough performance, Cousins still has a 97.1 quarterback rating with 20 passing touchdowns this season. While Prisco is writing off the Raiders as a playoff contender amid their ongoing swoon, they're only a game away from the AFC's final wild-card spot.
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Still, Vegas has defied modern trends by keeping Mendoza sidelined. Prisco would have played the No. 1 overall pick "a lot earlier," and he believes the 23-year-old needs to receive the starting job at some point this season.
"Are you gonna sit him the whole year? You can't do that," Prisco claimed. "He's gotta play, and now is the time. "It is officially Fernando Mendoza time for the Raiders."
Of course, the Raiders could decide to let Mendoza keep learning as a spectator. Owner Mark Davis said last week that there's "absolutely no pressure" from him to rush the young quarterback into action.
The front office could eliminate any quarterback controversy by trading Cousins before Tuesday's deadline, but ESPN's Adam Schefter said Sunday morning that the Raiders aren't interested in moving the 38-year-old.
As of now, it appears Cousins will start Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks.
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