There is typically not much you can take away from an NFL preseason game (especially the first one) when it pertains to the long-term part of the season, but I did raise an eyebrow Sunday how bad the San Francisco 49ers looked against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Both teams held two joint practices on Thursday and Friday leading up to Sunday’s game, and both days the Raiders appeared to be in sync more than the 49ers.

On Sunday, that trend continued as the host Raiders dismantled the 49ers 34-7.

None of the 49ers starters, including quarterback Brock Purdy, suited up for the game; so the backup players had an opportunity to get on the field and gain some experience.

With Purdy out, third-year quarterback Trey Lance got the start and played the entire first half.

While Lance was efficient in the passing game by completing 10 of 15 throws for 112 yards and a touchdown pass with a 111 quarterback rating (QBR), he looked hesitant at times in the pocket and was sacked four times by the Raiders defense. On another note, his touchdown pass to tight end Ross Dwelley was a deflection that was almost intercepted.

But in Lance’s defense, he was playing with a second-string offensive line that has little experience playing together.

After the 49ers went three-and-out on their first three offensive drives, Lance settled in and was able to lead the offense down field for their only score of the game by being more decisive with his throws and alluding the pressure coming his way.

It is clear that Lance has all the physical tools to be successful in the NFL, but the scarce playing time he’s had since being drafted third-overall by the 49ers in 2021 seems to be holding him back.

It will be interesting to see how Lance adjusts during these final two preseason games from what he learned during Sunday’s game because his future seems to be in limbo.

Raiders rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell, however, made a good case for himself being Garoppolo’s backup by completing 15 of 18 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown with a 122.7 QBR.

The 49ers defense failed to put constant pressure on the fourth-round pick (135th overall) out of Purdue, which gave O’Connell plenty of time to pick apart the defense.

Raiders tight end Cole Fotheringham led the Raiders with five receptions for 71 yards, while wide receiver Keelan Cole and running back Sincere McCormick each had a touchdown reception.

But despite the Raiders being the better team during joint practices and Sunday’s game, it is way too early for the 49ers (or 49er fans for that matter) to push the panic button.

Preseason is the time for football teams to work out the glitches and get everyone on the same page; so it is best to get all of the mishaps out of the way before Week 1 of the regular season arrives.

Plus coaches use vanilla-style playbooks which are simple and reveal nothing to other teams; had 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and the rest of the coaching staff really opened up the playbook, I can guarantee the outcome of Sunday’s game would have been different (as in a much more competitive game).

But whether the starters play or not play this coming Saturday, I am curious to see how the 49ers respond as a team during practices this week leading up to the game.

OTHER 49ERS NOTES AND STATS

• Rookie wide receiver Ronnie Bell got in a lot of snaps Sunday on both offense and special teams. Bell had three catches for 58 yards on the offensive side of the ball, including a nice deep pass from free agent veteran quarterback Sam Darnold that went for 37 yards; while also returning three kickoffs and two punts on special teams. Bell also a 15-yard run on a jet sweep play. One pass did, however, slip through his hands which resulted in Raiders cornerback Sam Webb intecepting the ball and nearly returning it for a pick-six; but overall, Bell had a good game. The 49ers are expected to only keep five wide receivers on the final 53-man roster, so Bell still has some work to do; but his versatility he displayed will help him in the long run.
• Rookie kicker Jake Moody was drafted in the third round (99th overall) to replace reliable veteran kicker Robbie Gould, who was with San Francisco from 2017-22. Unfortunately for Moody he wouldn’t have the ideal start to an NFL career, as he missed on both of his field goal attempts from 40 and 58 yards. When you spend a third-round pick on a kicker to replace one who’s historically been one of the best to do it, you better be right about that pick. But neither Moody nor the 49ers seem worried as it could be just a stutter-step. Replacing Gould as the kicker means Moody has huge shoes to fill; and you don’t want to see the new guy missing his first two kicks. But like I stated earlier, it’s better to get the jitters out during preseason; and I expect Moody to be okay.
• Linebackers Marcelino McCrary-Ball and Jalen Graham both lead the team in tackles with six each. Rookies safety Ji’Ayir Brown and linebacker Dee Winters each had three tackles.
• The offense struggled to move the ball against the Raiders defense and only converted two of 10 third down conversions; they also failed to convert on two fourth downs.
• Veteran wide receiver Chris Conley had three receptions for 47 yards. He, like Bell, is fighting for that 49ers fifth receiver spot.
• Rookie tight end Cameron Latu seems to have gotten off to a slow start with his NFL career as he has had a habit of dropping passes in practice. On Sunday, he only had one catch for nine yards but lost a fumble soon after catching the ball. Selected just two spots after Moody during the third round in this past NFL Draft, the former Alabama player was tabbed by the 49ers to help take some pressure off fellow star tight end George Kittle and open up Shanahan’s offense more. Latu has an opportunity to overtake both Dwelley and Charlie Woerner on the tight end depth chart, but now it’s all about channeling that energy onto the field.
• Former Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell had a sack on O’Donnell during the first quarter. After having an underwhelming four seasons with the Raiders, Ferrell has had a decent training camp with his new team and is looking to find that spark he had while playing college ball at Clemson. I feel Ferrell could be a key contributor within the 49ers defensive front seven if he keeps making strides.
• Cornerback Ambry Thomas had a difficult time finding his groove during his first two seasons in the league, but the third-year play for the 49ers is looking to change that. Thomas had a good first half on Sunday by playing good coverage on his receiver and being in position to make a play. The more Thomas can improve, the better that will serve on the 49ers depth chart.
• Fourth-string quarterback Brandon Allen entered the game in the fourth quarter and completed five of eight passes for 36 yards with an interception.
• The running backs had a tough time finding lanes to run through and only tallied 69 rushing yards on 22 carries (3.1 yards average). Second year player Tyrion Davis-Price rushed for 29 yards on nine carries.
• The 49ers head back home to Levi’s Stadium for their second preseason game when they will host the Denver Broncos this Saturday. The Broncos are coming off a 18-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Written by Paul Williams @thizzle75

#49ers #NFL #Raiders #Preseason