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Only a couple of the starters played, so we didn't get a look at the team that will take the field in Pittsburgh on September 10th. But it is a little concerning that reports from joint practices sounded like the Raiders out-practiced the 49ers on Thursday and Friday, then outplayed the team's backups on Sunday.
There were plenty of things, good and bad that jumped out to me. Here are my observations from the Sin City beatdown.
- This was only a preseason game, but 49ers fans are in mid-season form. Great job, Faithful.
Niner Fans have taken over Las Vegas today 👀
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) August 13, 2023
🎥: @TickPick#49ers || #FTTB pic.twitter.com/Wupks4B6VR
- The 49ers' offense started slowly with three straight three-and-outs. That's a bad way to start the season. And they didn't do much better the rest of the game.
- Clelin Ferrell looked good for the limited time he played.
- Was Trey Lance holding onto the ball too long, or was his offensive line just that bad? The answer is "yes."
Trey Lance, Nick Zakelj and Jason Poe are not helping each other.
— John Chapman (@JL_Chapman) August 13, 2023
Terrible offensive start.
- Ty Davis-Price looked good out there. He played a lot early in the game, more than Jordan Mason. I doubt that means anything, as Mason got the start.
- Speaking of Mason, this wasn't his best game. He dropped an easy catch that would have gone for a first down and a big gain. It was a drive-killer, as were some of his runs that went nowhere.
- Kyle Shanahan challenged a dropped ball that was ruled a catch in the first half. I wish he would've challenged the dropped catch in the 49ers' last game. Sorry. Too soon?
- Ronnie Bell looked good as a receiver until he let a ball go through his hands that was almost returned for a pick-six.
It was a good day for Ronnie Bell . . . until he let a nice Brandon Allen pass slip through his hands for Sam Webb's interception and long return to set up another LV TD.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 13, 2023
- 4th and 2 from the shotgun? I didn't like that call. In case you don't remember it...it didn't work.
- Ambry Thomas played well in the first half.
- Isaiah Oliver kept getting beat by a rookie QB. Should we be concerned? He's the assumed starting nickel corner.
Just a couple of potential Week 1 starters played in the first half today. One of them is NCB Isaiah Oliver, who hasn't had a strong half. He was in coverage on that TD.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 13, 2023
- Money Moody? The rookie kicker missed his very first FG attempt. And then missed his second attempt—badly. The second one was from 58 yards, but still. It wasn't even close.
- Rookie LBs Dee Winters and Jalen Graham both looked good. Especially Graham.
- Sam Darnold's first completion was pretty. He had some nice throws but didn't get much of a chance because of penalties and turnovers (not his own). It seemed like every drive he started was near his own goal line.
- The 49ers' backup offensive line stinks. They couldn't pass protect or run block. I hope none of them have to play this season.
- The young wide receivers looked good—when the quarterback got the ball to them. I especially liked what I saw from Bell, Tay Martin, and Isaiah Winstead.
- D'Shawn Jamison looked very good returning the ball. Unfortunately, his teammates kept getting called for holding penalties. Still, Jamison looks the part.
D'Shawn Jamison has showed me enough to be the returner until Ray Ray comes back.
— John Chapman (@JL_Chapman) August 13, 2023
I thought Ronnie Bell was decent as well but Jamison just looks different.
- Cameron Latu's first NFL game was forgettable. First penalty. First catch. First turnover. Not a great first game for a couple of the 49ers' third-round draftees. Fellow rookie tight end, Brayden Willis, looked good though.
- Brandon Allen had a better game than Trey Lance, though the stats would say otherwise. Lance had a touchdown pass that should have been an interception. Allen had an interception that should have been a big gain. That said, Lance faced consistent pressure (50% pressure rate).
context for QB preseason performance
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 14, 2023
preseason week 1 pressure rate:
64% - Russell Wilson
63% - Jake Browning
59% - Jarrett Stidham
53% - Nathan Rourke
52% - Tommy DeVito
50% - Mason Rudolph
50% - Chris Streveler
50% - Gardner Minshew
50% - Brett Rypien
50% - Trey Lance
50% -…
Next up for the 49ers is a Saturday matchup with the Denver Broncos. I would expect more starters to play in this game.
- Marc Adams
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Written by:Speaker. Writer. Covering the San Francisco 49ers. Host of the 49ers Camelot show.
YouTube.com/@49ersCamelot
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