49ers squeeze by Raiders: Rapid reactions

It wasn't the prettiest game for the San Francisco 49ers, who outlasted the Las Vegas Raiders 22-19 in preseason game number two. Most preseason games aren't pretty. But a win is a win, even when it doesn't count. There are a couple of reasons this win was particularly noteworthy.

First, the 49ers have a lot of young players who need to learn how to win games in the NFL. Second, kicker Jake Moody was the difference between a win and a tie, and that's good for him and his team. And third, some players who were bad last week came up big this week.


Here are my rapid reactions—my live observations as the game unfolded.

• Colton McKivitz won't be making the Pro Bowl if he plays like he did against Maxx Crosby. That said, a lot of offensive linemen look bad against Crosby.
• The 49ers are struggling to run the ball early, but Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall keep bailing them out.

• That was a nice opening drive for the 49ers, but the offense stalled in the red zone. That's so 2024 of them.
• Jake Moody. Money. At least on his first attempt.
• It's just preseason, but early on, the 49ers can't run the ball or stop the run.
• Tatum Bethune with a big hit on Ashton Jeanty. Nice play. Bethune has been impressive this summer.
• Marques Sigle follows Bethune's play with a great open-field tackle.

• Isaiah Hodgins is making some plays. That's good because the 49ers need some receivers to step up.
• Late throw by Mac Jones on that interception.
• Wow, Jeanty just ran over Deommodore Lenoir.

• Dominick Puni has been ruled out with a knee injury. That is concerning. This team can't catch a break.
• Now, Patrick Taylor, Jr. is questionable. The 49ers are already short on running backs.
• Corey Kiner with an explosive run—only to go down with an injury. He's being carted off the field. This is unreal.
• A Luke Ferrell catch. I like it.

• Welcome back, Jeff Wilson, Jr.

• Nick Martin with a big sack on third down. Nice to see the rookie make a play after struggling a week ago.

• Demarcus Robinson is a solid receiver.
• Wilson looks good running the ball.
• And now Moody misses from 53 yards. That's not going to make the fanbase happy.
• Martin is making plays all over the place in this game.

• Martin has missed a couple of tackles in the first half, though.
• Travis Gipson with an impressive sack. I'm not sure who he is, but I liked that play.

• Chase Lucas with another nice play. This time, it's an interception.

• Terique Owens gets in on the fun with a 19-yard catch.

• And now a catch for Jake Tonges—on 4th down, no less.
• Kyle Shanahan was going to go for it on 4th and goal, but a false start convinced him to go with another Moody field goal, which the kicker barely made, by the way.
• Darrell Luter, Jr. is not very good.
• Carter Bradley with a nice throw on a play in which he got nailed.

• If the 49ers have to count on Ke'Shawn Vaughn this season, they're in trouble.
• Bradley had some nice throws out there. I was hard on him last week. However, he looks much better today.

• The Moody adventure continues. This time, he made a 50-yarder.
• Robbie Chosen has had a good game!
• Isaiah Prince has not. Three false starts for the young tackle.
• Moody ties the game. That's a pressure kick, even though it's preseason.
• Another big play by Lucas. He's definitely making this team.
• Jaylen Mahoney with the big pick to give the 49ers a chance to win this one. Sebastian Valdez had the QB pressure.
• Moody is the hero after all. His fifth field goal of the game wins it. Good for him.
• And good for the 49ers overcoming plenty of miscues to win this one.

The good news is that the preseason is almost over. Only one more game—against Jim Harbaugh's Los Angeles Chargers. The question is: Will the 49ers have enough players to field a team?

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