The Las Vegas Raiders just couldn’t get out of their own way Sunday afternoon. Five awful second-half turnovers in a disconcerting 38-17 defeat were a testament to that.
Facing a well-oiled machine that the San Francisco 49ers are, the Silver & Black fell quickly behind 21-10 after generating just 48 yards through the air and 27 yards on the ground while yielding 123 passing and 125 rushing yards on defense.
And on its first offensive play of the second half, Las Vegas gifted San Francisco seven more
points off quarterback Kirk Cousin’s pick six and just like that, 28-10 Niners, and turnover No. 1. The Raiders didn’t go away, however, and put together a solid nine-play, 69-yard scoring drive that culminated in tight end Brock Bowers climbing the ladder for a 21-yard touchdown dart from Cousins to trim the deficit to 28-17.
The Silver & Black gained even more momentum with rookie safety Treydan Stukes’ leaping interception of Brock Purdy. But just two plays later, linebacker Fred Warner punched the ball out of Bowers’ hands and the Red & Gold recovered, for Raiders turnover No. 2.
Again, Las Vegas refused to lay down and Rob Leonard’s much-maligned Raiders defense rose to the occasion stuffing Purdy on a QB sneak to get the ball back to Klint Kubiak’s offense. And it appeared the visitors from the desert were poised to get within four points of their former Bay Area rival when tight end Michael Mayer hauled in a sharp 24-yard pass from Cousins. But as the big pass catcher dove towards the goal line, he lost control of the ball fumbling it into the end zone with Warner recovering for the touchback. No points, and pivotal turnover No. 3.
Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers offense responded with a seven-play, 80-yard touchdown drive capped by Purdy’s 37-yard laser of a throw to Jordan Watkins for a pretty 37-yard touchdown catch in which the 49ers wide receiver boxed out rookie cornerback Hezekiah Masses.
Trailing 35-17, Kubiak’s offense once again got within striking distance on Raheem Morris’ stingy 49ers defense after Bowers’ 33-yard catch and run to the one-yard line. But the Nines read the QB sneak to perfection to stonewall that, an iffy offensive pass interference by Mayer cost the Raiders six points, and Cousins’ throw to Tre Tucker in the end zone was intercepted on 2nd-and-goal from the 13-yard line to thwart Kubiak’s offense once more — turnover No. 4.
After allowing a 49ers field goal, the Raiders ended the day offensively with another Cousins interception — a deep throw intended for Tucker that was picked off, turnover No. 5.
Las Vegas made it fair share of plays, but San Francisco simply made more and the defeat showcases just how far the Raiders are from competing with and beating good teams in the NFL. At 4-5 overall, Kubiak has done well to win four games in his rookie year as a head coach but those victories came against struggling teams. When faced with upper-echelon opposition, the Raiders have come close and no cigar or been boat raced.
Sunday afternoon in Santa Clara was a mix of both. Kubiak’s Raiders were in a dogfight and allowing just 10 second-half points against the 49ers is a plus. It’s just too bad Leonard’s defense couldn’t have that kind of performance in the opening half.
As I noted when I previewed the Raiders-49ers Week 9 matchup, the team that Kubiak wants in Las Vegas what Shanahan currently has in Santa Clara. The foundational model of a complementary football team that’s disciplined, efficient, and explosive in all three phases (offense, defense, and special teams) is what Kubiak eventually wants in the desert.
And today’s loss highlights fleeting moments of that but also the hideous warts of the complete opposite.
Let’s hit the quick slants as fast as both teams turned the ball to one another in a topsy turvy third quarter:
—The Niners’ 31 points on offense marks the sixth-straight time the Raiders defense has allowed 30 or more points this season — tying a modern era NFL record. Heading into Week 9 play, Las Vegas allowed 230 points total and only the Arizona Cardinals (238) and Baltimore Ravens (236) allowed more.
—A week after jumping too early in pass coverage (and not snagging two potential interceptions), Stukes displayed perfect timing and baiting Purdy on his interception of a pass intended for 49ers tight end George Kittle. The second-round pick is progressing well in his rookie year.
—Cousins finished 22 of 32 passing for 216 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. Sunday’s performance was the worst the veteran quarterback put forth this season and it was a game where the 38-year-old’s arm strength waned as the game progressed.
—Even facing top-flight defenses, Bowers continues to be a productive Raider and un-guardable at times. The tight end hauled in seven passes for 111 yards and a touchdown (long of 33) to pace Las Vegas’ offense. Tucker finished behind Bowers with four receptions for 54 yards and Mayer had three catches for 37 yards.
—Las Vegas’ run game continues its abysmal performances finishing with 27 yards on 15 carries — three yards less than the first half sum of 27. Ashton Jeanty paced the group with six carries for 25 yards (long of nine) while Bowers added one carry for two yards, Cousins had two carries or no yards (but a touchdown) and Mike Washington Jr. finished with six totes for negative three yards.
—Raiders kick return man Dylan Laube continues to be a electric special teamer with seven returns for 197 yards (28.1 average per return) with a long of 57 yards. The Raiders first kick return was hauled in by Laube but he pitched it to wide receiver Dareke Young on a reverse for an additional 25 yards.
Quote of Note
“We’ll look at the film, and we’ll make our decisions when we have cool heads.”
—Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak on whether changes are needed to be made on defense after allowing 30 points for the sixth-straight week
“At this time of year, we’re focused on winning games. I really like our team. I don’t like losing games like this. You’ve got to have a lot more resilience to you when you’re playing a really good team that we played today. And when you start that slow, you don’t put yourself in good position. But I’m proud to coach the guys that we’re coaching.”
—Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak on the current state of his Raiders roster
Up Next
The 4-5 Raiders return to the confines of Allegiant Stadium in Week 10 to take on the visiting Seattle Seahawks. The home cooking hasn’t been too good for the Silver & Black as the team is just 1-3 inside Allegiant. Coming off a 17-3 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9, the 5-4 Seahawks bring a team that Kubiak is all too familiar with. How that familiarity benefits his Raiders remains to be seen, however. A better showing and a win would lift Las Vegas back to .500 with a Week 11 AFC West showdown with the Denver Broncos on the horizon.
