The Las Vegas Raiders lost 22-19 to the San Francisco 49ers on a 59-yard field goal by Jake Moody as time expired Saturday afternoon at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday. The Raiders are 0-1-1.
Here are some highlights from the game:
The 49ers’ offense had the ball to start the game and some starters, including quarterback Brock Purdy, took the field against most of the Raiders’ starting defense (Las Vegas starters played extensively for the second game). In front of many 49ers’ fans, Purdy completed five of seven passes on the drive with three completely going to wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and Purdy converted a first down on third and 18. Eric Stokes and Kyu Blu Kelly were the Raiders’ starting cornerbacks in the game. Kelly took the place of rookie Darien Porter, who started last week. It was Purdy’s only drive of the game. Porter played on the Raiders’ second defensive drive.
New defensive tackle Thomas Booker started in place of rookie J.J. Pegues. Raiders coach Pete Carroll said this week Booker has a chance to start. Third-year backup defensive end Tyree Wilson was active in first quarter. Pegues was hurt in the fourth quarter and he jogged off the field.
The Raiders did tackle well on two run attempts on the drive and defensive end Maxx Crosby made a terrific run stop. The 49ers kicked a field goal on the drive. Defensive tackle Adam Butler played defensive end to open the game.
The Raiders tied the game after their first drive on a Daniel Carlson field goal. After running back Sincere McCormick returned the kickoff, the big play of the drive came on the first play when quarterback Geno Smith hit star tight end Brock Bowers for a 28-yard reception into 49ers’ territory.
Smith missed rookie Dont’a Thornton twice on the series. Rookie running Ashton Jeanty was hit hard on a reception and seemed to be favoring his shoulder a bit. Jeanty also two carries for 13 yards on the series after having minus-one yard on three carries last week at Seattle. Jenaty finished with seven carries for 33 yards and one touchdown. He also caught one pass for two yards. It was a nice day for the youngster. He also received better blocking as the Raiders’ offensive line had a better day against the 49ers’ backups than Seattle’s backups.
The Raiders’ first unit defense took advantage of the 49ers’ backups when safety Jeremy Chinn intercepted backup Mac Jones.
Jeanty spent some time in the blue tent but did play on the second series. He had nice run for a first down. Jeanty had better success in this game and seemed to have better blocking.
Smith, who had a nice day against the 49ers in a joint practice Thursday, threw some lasers Saturday, including one to tight end Michael Mayer near the goal line on the Raiders’ second drive. Jeanty converted a short touchdown to make it a 10-3 game, turning Chinn’s turnover into points.
Raiders’ linebacker Jamal Adams was called for roughing the passer in the second quarter. The Raiders’ run defense sagged some in the second quarter and the 49ers’ backups had a nice drive to tie the game at 10-10 with several starters playing for Las Vegas. Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg didn’t have a great series.
Aidan O’Connell replaced Smith on the Raiders’ third series. Smith completed six passes out of eight attempts for 55 yards. It was a good day for Las Vegas’ starter. After O’Connell was sacked, the Raiders punter and Porter, a college special teams star, made a nice play on the punt. He did struggle on defense.
The Raiders got good field position on O’Connell’s second drive after a 49ers’ missed field-goal attempt. O’Connell connected for two first downs with rookie receiver Jack Bech on the drive. Bech did have drop on the drive. The Raiders converted three of four times on third down in that drive was was five of eight on third down in the first half.
Carlson hit a field goal to give Las Vegas a 13-10 lead at halftime.
Raiders’ sixth-round pick pick, Tommy Mellott opened the third quarter with a 42-yard kick return. If he is going to make the 53-man roster it will be because of his special teams ability.
O’Connell had a better day Saturday than at Seattle, but he threw a bad interception to end the Raiders’ first drive of the second half. It was his third interception of the preseason.
Carlson hit his third field goal (54 yards) of the day to give the Raiders a 16-13 lead in the fourth quarter. The 49ers tied it at 16-16 with a field goal with just more than minutes to go.
Former Raiders’ quarterback Carter Bradley finished the game for the Raiders, replacing Jones, who completed 13 of 16 passes for 135 yards and had a nice day other than the pass that was picked off by Chinn.
Raiders’ sixth-round pick Cam Miller finished the game, entering with 9:27 to go. O’Connell finished the game completing 15 of 23 passes for 138 yards. overall, he improved from last week.
The Raiders went down the field and Carlson hit yet another field goal to give the Raiders a 19-16 lead with 3:41 remaining in the game.
Project offensive lineman Laki Tasi was impressive again. He is massive and a people mover. He is a fun project who will should get a chance to develop on the practice squad.
Miller, who completed 2 of 6 passes for 25 yards, had some nice moments again. He looked very calm but he had a tough last series with two sacks and an interception that setup the 49ers’ game-winning field goal. The battle for the No.2 quarterback job behind Smith may go to next week’s preseason finale at Arizona.
Andre Carter sacked Bradley to create a fourth and 8 at the two-minute warning but the Raiders converted the first down.
The Raiders were a lot cleaner than in Seattle. they committed five penalties for 30 yards after being flagged 10 times for 80 yards at Seattle.
The 49ers tied at the game with 37 seconds to go.
The only Las Vegas players not to suit up Saturday were injured players. They are defensive tackle Leki Fotu, guard Alex Cappa and safeties Thomas Harper and Lonnie Thornton.
Raiders’ minority owner Tom Brady reportedly watched the game from the Raiders’ coaches booth in the press box. He’s been around some this summer. While Brady is more of a consultant that a final decision maker these days, he’s clearly making time to be involved with the team.
The 49ers were without stars running back Christian McCaffrey, left tackle Trent Williams, linebacker Fred Warner and defensive end Nick Bosa on Saturday. They were also without several defensive backs in the game.
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