The Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco 49ers met this past Saturday afternoon for a preseason clash that went down to the wire. Geno Smith and Brock Bowers vs Brock Purdy and George Kittle. What started as a promising showing from the Raiders’ first-team offense with Geno Smith and Ashton Jeanty quickly turned into a grind once the backups took over — and ultimately ended with the 49ers walking it off on a 59-yard Jake Moody field goal.
One of the highlights of the game came from Ashton Jeanty, who made his presence felt in a big way. The Boise State product didn’t just pick up solid yardage—he delivered one of the most physical runs of the preseason so far.
On a key carry, Jeanty lowered his shoulder and absolutely ran over a 49ers defender, drawing a roar from the Raiders sideline and the crowd. Plays like that don’t just move the chains—they set a tone. Jeanty showed he’s able to power through even the hardest NFL hits, and moments like this put him firmly on the radar as a back who can bring toughness and attitude to the Raiders’ backfield rotation.
As a Raiders fan, it’s tough losing such a nail-biter game, but this isn’t anything we haven’t seen before.
My key takeaway was that although I once had hope for Aidan O’Connell and his abilities to run the Raiders offense, I anticipate him being released before the season ends.
Raiders Start Strong Behind Geno Smith
The Raiders opened the game looking sharp. Geno Smith, getting the first two series under center, went 6-for-8 for 55 yards, showing poise and rhythm against a tough 49ers defense. Those early drives translated into 10 points, setting the tone and giving fans a glimpse of what the offense could look like at full strength.
It was a solid statement from the first unit — quick decisions, strong protection, and just enough tempo to keep San Francisco on its heels.
O’Connell Can’t Keep Pace
Once Aidan O’Connell entered the game, the momentum shifted. O’Connell’s stat line looks decent at a glance — 15-for-23 with 138 yards — but the eye test told a different story. He looked slow working through reads and never brought the same spark that Geno provided early. The worst moment came in the second half, when O’Connell threw a back-breaking interception that killed a promising drive.
Compared to Geno’s quick execution, O’Connell’s performance felt flat — the kind of average preseason outing that raises more questions than answers about his role moving forward.
49ers Finish Behind Carter Bradley
On the other side, San Francisco rotated through quarterbacks with Brock Purdy starting, Mac Jones taking the middle stretch, and finally Carter Bradley closing things out. Bradley was the difference-maker, coming in late and keeping the chains moving. He led the 49ers on both the game-tying and game-winning drives, showing composure under pressure.
The highlight came with just seconds left, as Jake Moody drilled a 59-yard bomb to seal the 22–19 win for San Francisco. After a shaky start, Moody bounced back to hit five field goals on the night — proving why the 49ers invested in him.
What We Learned
The Raiders’ first-team offense looks promising with Geno Smith steering the ship.
- O’Connell still feels like a step behind when it comes to command and decision-making.
- For the 49ers, depth at quarterback looks solid, and Jake Moody’s leg is as real as it gets.
For the Raiders, the preseason is always about evaluation, but the contrast between Geno’s efficiency and O’Connell’s struggles was impossible to ignore. San Francisco, meanwhile, leaves the game feeling good about their depth and their special teams weapon.
Final Score
49ers 22, Raiders 19 — preseason fireworks capped by a Moody missile.
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