San Francisco’s ongoing quarterback competition
Third-year quarterback Trey Lance got the nod to start in Sunday’s game. He took some time to settle in but quickly picked up momentum in the second quarter. Lance showcased his skills by leading the 49ers on a scoring drive, culminating in a touchdown pass to tight end Ross Dwelley. The play wasn’t without drama as Lance’s pass was deflected by Raiders cornerback Duke Shelley before being miraculously caught by Dwelley in the end zone.
Reflecting on the play, Lance praised Dwelley’s impressive catch and credited the defense for their performance. He stated, “Dwelley ended up making a great play. The defense made a great play, I didn’t think they’d be able to get to it. Guys made great plays and (the touchdown) ended up working out.”
One of Lance’s standout moments was a clutch third-down conversion, where he connected with wide receiver Chris Conley for a 17-yard gain. Overall, Lance finished the day with 10 completions on 15 attempts, amassing 112 yards, a touchdown, and an impressive 111.0 passer rating.
In the second half, Sam Darnold took over as the quarterback. Despite leading the 49ers into Las Vegas territory multiple times, Darnold faced difficulties in converting scoring opportunities into points. Turnovers on downs, a fumble, and a missed field goal prevented Darnold from making a significant impact. He was eventually replaced by Brandon Allen in the fourth quarter after completing five of nine passes for 84 yards.
Regarding Darnold’s performance, Head Coach Shanahan acknowledged the challenging circumstances Darnold faced but commended him for his efforts. Shanahan stated, “I thought (Darnold) did a great job coming in the second half. You’re in there with twos and threes on the offensive line and same with the receivers and everything. We wanted to be careful with Sam for that reason, but we also wanted him to play too.”
Brandon Allen took charge of the offense for the majority of the second half, completing five of eight pass attempts for 36 yards.
Defensive lineman Clelin Ferrell shines in a 49ers uniform
After joining the 49ers in March, Clelin Ferrell, a former first-round pick, has begun making an impact for the team. Ferrell showcased his skills by sacking Las Vegas quarterback Aidan O’Connell, resulting in a loss of six yards and forcing the Raiders to punt. Ferrell celebrated with his signature “fishing pole” sack celebration. His contribution to the defense was a significant highlight of the game.
Cornerback Ambry Thomas impresses in training camp
Ambry Thomas showcased his talent with several standout plays in the game against Las Vegas. Notably, he made two crucial pass breakups and a run stop on fourth down, displaying his versatility as a corner. Thomas’s ankle injury in the previous season didn’t hold him back as he returned to the field in remarkable form. His performance alongside defensive lineman Kerry Hyder Jr. resulted in a turnover on downs and showcased his potential impact on the defense.
Rookie kicker Jake Moody makes his NFL debut
Jake Moody, a highly anticipated third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, had his first taste of action in an NFL stadium during Sunday’s game. Though Moody was perfect in extra point attempts, he missed two field goal attempts from long distances. Despite the misses, Coach Shanahan expressed confidence in Moody, stating, “He’s been great in practice. He’s hit them all. I was just excited to attempt a long one, which was fun, but the toes missed. He’s been great and handles himself well, so there are no issues with me.”
Wide receiver Ronnie Bell seizes an opportunity
With the team’s primary returner, Ray-Ray McCloud III, sidelined due to injury, Ronnie Bell showcased his potential as a punt returner. Bell contributed through his returns, recording three kick returns for 57 yards and two punt returns for a yard. Additionally, he made three catches for 57 yards in the passing game. Bell’s performance caught the attention of Coach Shanahan, who praised him for his contributions.
Cornerback D’Shawn Jamison and running back Jeremy McNichols also received opportunities to handle return specialist duties in the second half.
Turnovers hinder offensive progress for the 49ers
The 49ers struggled with turnovers, which ultimately impacted their offensive production. A fumble late in the third quarter and a tipped pass early in the fourth quarter provided the Raiders with scoring opportunities, leading to 14 points off turnovers. Combined with missed field goal attempts, the turnovers contributed significantly to the point deficit faced by the 49ers in the game against Las Vegas.
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