San Francisco 49ers @ Las Vegas Raiders
Final Score: 49ers 22, Raiders 19
Writer: Mike Miklius ( @SIRL0INofBEEF )
San Francisco and Las Vegas both ran their starters in this one, and both sides gave us moments to love. For San Fran, it was an efficient first drive for a field goal where Brock Purdy looked ready for Week 1. For Las Vegas, there were some good throws from Geno Smith, big receptions by the tight ends, and a ‘this is why we drafted him’ run from rookie Ashton Jeanty. It’s just the preseason, but I saw plenty to be excited about. Oh, and the game was pretty good too: both teams traded field goals until it was 19-19. The Raiders’ drive for the win ended with an interception, and Jake Moody hit a 59-yard field goal for the win. Here’s everything I saw in this one.
Five Up
- Brock Purdy looked sharp on his one series, smoothly driving his team into the red zone before they settled for a field goal
- Ricky Pearsall caught the first three passes of the game and then was pulled to enjoy some rest.
- Ashton Jeanty had a nifty 13-yard run where he displayed the shiftiness and power we expected
- Geno Smith put up some nice balls in limited work, including a beautiful pass and catch with Brock Bowers
- Embattled kicker Jake Moody was 5 of 6 on his field goals, including an emphatic game-winning 59-yarder.
Two Down
- Patrick Taylor Jr. mostly ran into walls and didn’t have the opportunity to show much for San Francisco.
- Cam Miller threw the game-losing interception.
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Brock Purdy: 5/7, 66 Yards | 1 Carry, 1 Yard
Brock Purdy played one series and looked smooth. He was locked in on Ricky Pearsall early and led the team into field goal range despite a rushing attack that couldn’t gain a yard. In fact, the ground game lost eight yards on its first two carries. Purdy responded by finding Pearsall–who else–for a 21-yard gain and a first down. The drive stalled on a pass that looked tipped and also seemed to be a miscommunication between Purdy and Pearsall. Either way, I like what I saw from San Francisco, and I expect to see big numbers if they stay healthy.
Mac Jones: 13/16, 135 yards, INT | 3 Carries 4 Yards
Mac Jones had a bumpy start, looking off target on his first two passes before throwing a pick to end his first drive. It was a great interception by the defender, but I’m still counting on Jones to make a better decision. Jones steadied himself and led the Niners to a touchdown in the first half. His best throw of the first half was called back for a penalty; it was a bootleg play where he was met immediately by a defender, but still delivered an on-point throw for a short gain instead of a big loss.
Carter Bradley: 8/13, 96 yards, 2 Sacks
Running Back
Patrick Taylor Jr.: 4 Carries, -6 Yards
Patrick Taylor’s whole day was a missed opportunity. He was met in the backfield on nearly every carry, including a beast-mode stop by Maxx Crosby. I don’t think many backs in the league were turning this workload into positive yards.
Corey Kiner: 2 Carries, 23 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 4 Yards
Corey Kiner had the run of the day for the Niners but was unfortunately hurt on the play and had to be carted off with what looked like an ankle injury. He looked quick and found a hole up the middle for a 19-yard gain.
Ke’Shawn Vaughn: 9 Carries, 24 Yards | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 3 Yards
Ke’Shawn Vaughn‘s best run was a 10-yard gain where he followed good blocking and made a subtle cut to keep his speed while avoiding contact. I didn’t think he was the best back for San Fran, but there was enough here to want to see more.
Jeff Wilson Jr.: 4 Carries, 16 Yards, TD | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 16 Yards
Jeff Wilson Jr. looked like the fastest back for the Niners and scored the only touchdown of the first half for his team. Maybe it was better blocking, but Wilson seemed to get up to speed faster on his carries than San Fran’s other backs.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Ricky Pearsall: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 42 Yards
Ricky Pearsall was the target of Brock Purdy’s first three passes and found space on each to secure the ball. He showed steady hands and has a clear rapport with his quarterback. It’s hard to judge the expected workload when a number of top-tier weapons (Kittle, CMC) were not involved. Pearsall looks like he’s going to be a factor, though, and I’m buying in.
Missed Opportunities
- Pearsall was the target on a pass that would’ve extended the first drive, but it looked like he and Brock Purdy had a miscommunication on the play.
DeMarcus Robinson: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 44 Yards
DeMarcus Robinson caught a ball from Purdy, saw another target from him where they couldn’t connect, and then found space for a 24-yard hook-up with Mac Jones.
Robbie Chosen: 7 Targets, 5 Receptions, 92 Yards
Russell Gage Jr: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 25 Yards
Isaiah Hodgins: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 21 Yards
Terique Owens: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 17 Yards
Las Vegas Raiders
Quarterback
Geno Smith: 6/8, 55 Yards
Geno Smith‘s day started fast with a sweet strike to Brock Bowers for 28 yards. The pass looked just a little high, but that was likely on purpose so only Bowers could go get it. Bowers made a great catch for his part, and it looks like this duo will be hooking up often. Geno missed a couple of shots on the opening drive, including a shot to Dont’e Thornton that could’ve been six. I like what I saw from Geno today, and it feels like the Raiders’ passing attack might be underrated.
Bald headed Brock Bowers is good https://t.co/0kPJtlJ4z7
— manny (@dentonduval) August 16, 2025
Missed Opportunities
- Smith had a pair of ‘almost’ plays to Dont’e Thornton that would have made this a ‘great’ day, but they remain unseen in the box score as they were just a bit off.
Aidan O’Connell: 15/23, 138 Yards, INT, 2 Sacks
Aidan O’Connell took a bad sack on his first drive, but settled in after that. He showed a connection with Jack Bech early, and we’ll need to see if that carries over to Geno. O’Connell looks like a capable backup, but not someone I want starting for any prolonged time.
Cam Miller: 2/6, 25 Yards, INT, 2 Sacks | 1 Carry, -3 Yards
Running Back
Ashton Jeanty: 7 Carries, 33 Yards, TD | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 2 Yards
Ashton Jeanty was used in play action on the first play for Las Vegas, and the San Fran defense bit, allowing for a big connection between Geno Smith and Brock Bowers. Jeanty had a few carries on the first drive, including one that sent him to the tent. I was worried about a concussion, but he soon returned. Jeanty had his best run on the next drive. He ran right, cut around first contact, and then quickly shrugged off a tackler on his way to 13 yards. Jeanty looked like a seasoned veteran, and I am excited to see him in regular season action in Week 1.
Ashton Jeanty: pic.twitter.com/rMsV08bp3J
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 16, 2025
Raheem Mostert: 3 Carries, 9 Yards | 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 16 Yards
Raheem Mostert was the clear backup to Jeanty and looked good with his limited workload. This goes without saying, but it sure looks like Jeanty is going to be a workhorse, and Mostert will be there only as needed for backup duties and late-game cleanup.
Zamir White: 1 Carry, 5 Yards
Sincere McCormick: 1 Carry, 2 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 9 Yards
Dylan Laube: 2 Carries, 5 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Brock Bowers: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 28 Yards
Brock Bowers had one target today, but he made it count. He was covered well, but Bowers elevated to catch a nice ball from Geno Smith and led the team to an opening field goal. I am looking forward to watching Brock this year and hope for many more connections like this one. In case you missed his catch (and the Geno wrap-up), here it is again:
Bald headed Brock Bowers is good https://t.co/0kPJtlJ4z7
— manny (@dentonduval) August 16, 2025
Michael Mayer: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 11 Yards
Geno Smith found Michael Mayer on the second drive with the team 12 yards out. Geno hit Mayer in a tight window, and Mayer showed great hands to haul it in. Mayer won’t challenge Bowers as the top tight end, but there should be plenty of room behind him for another weapon week to week.
Dont’e Thornton: 2 Targets
Dont’e Thornton is the reason we do the ‘missed opportunity’ section for players: sometimes there is something you miss in the box score that needs to be called out. For Thornton, it was a pair of ‘almost’ moments that would have fans talking. First was a deep shot on the team’s opening drive. Geno had Thornton deep and just missed him with an overthrow. Had they connected cleanly, Thornton was gone. Later on the same drive, Geno targeted Thornton again, and it would’ve taken a great catch. It looked like the Raiders have a plan here and it was close to paying off.
Jack Bech: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 21 Yards
Jack Bech showed a nice connection with Aidan O’Connell on the team’s fourth drive, hauling in a pair of passes. I’m curious to see more from him.
Jakobi Mayers: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 4 Yards
Tre Tucker: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 6 Yards
Carter Runyon: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 29 Yards
Shedrick Jackson: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 28 Yards