The Brock Purdy to Ricky Pearsall connection thrived on the first drive as the duo connected three times. The one time the two weren’t on the same page was on third down in the red zone. If that drive was a sign of what’s to come this season, the 49ers offense will be more than fine.
Pearsall caught the first pass of the game. His second target, a 14-yard pass, was the most impressive. Pearsall was covered, but sat down in the zone so Purdy could find him in the open window. After the offensive line
got pushed around two consecutive plays, Purdy threw the ball before Pearsall came out of his break on 3rd & 18 for a conversion.
It was quite the drive, and one nearly good enough to make you wonder if Purdy’s day would be done. The only blemish in the passing game came on that third down, and the fact that the drive didn’t end in a touchdown. Sure enough, Pearsall and Purdy’s day would end, and Mac Jones would take over.
It took Jones three plays to throw an interception. The Raiders capitalized on after Ashton Jeanty literally ran over defenders and into the end zone. A combination of injuries took some of the air out of the balloon for this game. However, Jones led a touchdown drive thanks to a long Corey Kiner run and a roughing the passer.
Demarcus Robinson saw an extended run, presumably because Robinson won’t win his appeal and be suspended for three games. Robinson dropped a 103 miles per hour fastball five yards away from Purdy, but he looked like a player who would help the Niners this season.
It’s difficult to say the same about Jake Moody, who missed a 53-yarder by roughly two yards. It’s the kind of kicks the 49ers will rely on Moody to make, and downplaying it during the preseason seems naive. At some point, the team is going to have to acknowledge that Moody isn’t who they think he is.
Chase Lucas may have cemented his spot on the roster with an interception on the first drive of the third quarter. Jones would convert a fourth down to Jake Tonges, and later hit Isaiah Hodgins in the end zone for a would-be touchdown. Hodgins could not hold on, and a false start penalty two plays later made it 3rd & 12. Russell Gage had an opportunity to make a play in the open field, but was tackled.
On 4th & 3, the 49ers elected to go for it from the Raiders’ four-yard line. However, another false start meant the Niners would settle for a field goal. Moody would have a 26-yard attempt, and just snuck it inside of the left upright. Moody’s kick tied the game at 13.
The Raiders took a three-point lead into the fourth quarter, after their kicker had no issue making his 54-yard field goal. He split the uprights.
The fourth quarter meant Mac Jones’s day was over, and that it was Carter Bradley’s turn. Bradley took a big lick, but was rewarded with a 26-yard reception by Robbie Chosen. On 3rd & 6, Bradley threw another perfect pass down the sideline to Chosen, but he dropped it.
That would mean Moody would have a fourth opportunity, and a second attempt from 50 yards. Moody’s kick was good from 50, and that tied us back up at 16. The Raiders marched the field once more, but the defense held strong in the red zone and limited Las Vegas to three points. That would mean Bradley would have a little over three minutes to move the offense into field goal range. On third down, Bradley was sacked by Andre Carter, who beat both the left tackle and running back in a matter of steps.
Bradley made a great throw to Jake Tonges, whose effort was even better, and the Niners picked up a first down on fourth down. After a defensive holding and an explosive passing play to Robbie Chosen, the offense had 1st and goal. Unfortunately, two successive false starts made it 1st & goal from the 20. Bradley was sacked on second down, and the offense was going in the wrong direction. With an opportunity to tie the game from 44 yards, Moody’s kick was good.
The Raiders had 30 seconds and three timeouts to get into field goal range. Chase Lucas had a sack on first down. The defense picked up another sack on second down. Safety Jaylen Mahoney intercepted the third down pass, and it looked as if Moody would have another opportunity. The 49ers had 13 seconds and one timeout, and needed about six or seven yards to get into Moody’s range.
Terqiue Owens didn’t help by dropping a first down pass. So, Moody would have a 59-yard chance to win the game and quiet any naysayers. You wouldn’t fault Moody for missing. But you wouldn’t get the chance. Moody’s kick soared through the uprights as he likely just put the kicking competition to bed.
The story of this contest will be the multiple injuries sustained. A pair of running backs were ruled out, as was starting right guard Dominick Puni. If the 49ers receive news that Puni’s injury isn’t severe, that’ll be their biggest win this month.
