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Las Vegas Raiders’ deep D-Line proves valuable in season finale

Las Vegas Raiders’ deep D-Line proves valuable in season finale

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For a Las Vegas Raiders game that didn’t have any first-team players on the field on offense or defense, their final preseason game on Friday night against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium was probably their most entertaining.

The game ended in a 24-24 tie and with a thrilling final few minutes, it ended the Raiders’ 2024 preseason.

As in the Raiders’ first two preseason games, Friday’s game had its ups and downs, but the effort was clearly evident throughout.

Of course, it won’t be the prettiest game when both teams have players who want to make it to their respective teams. Nevertheless, there were some bright spots for the Raiders, starting with the defensive line.

The Silver and Black already have one of the best defensive lines in the NFL, and Friday’s game made it clearer than ever that they can rely on their depth quite reliably this season.

Raiders defensive end Janarius Robinson set the tone for the group early, securing a spectacular 5-yard tackle for a loss on the opening drive. His effort, along with great back-to-back coverage plays from defensive end Charles Snowden, forced the San Francisco offense — which, mind you, was comprised mostly of its starters at the start of the game — to settle for a field goal.

On the 49ers’ next possession, Raiders defensive tackle Matthew Butler contributed with a sack on the second play of the drive, the first sack for Las Vegas all preseason.

The Raiders’ secondary was also inconsistent but did get involved at times, led by safety Chris Smith II, a former fifth-round draftee. Smith delayed the 49ers’ first touchdown with an open-field tackle on George Kittle, one of the league’s best tight ends. The two-time college football champion finished the night with four tackles, while his teammates in the secondary, cornerback Jaquan Sheppard and safety Jaydon Grant, each recorded nine tackles.

Smith followed that play with an interception on the second play of San Francisco’s next possession, made possible by a rush by Robinson and solid coverage by Raiders cornerback Sam Webb, who made six tackles.

The 49ers offense seemed briefly unsettled on the next play when the Raiders forced a three-and-out. Their success was rewarded with an 81-yard punt return touchdown by Raiders wide receiver Tyreik McAllister, which finally gave the Silver and Black some points and rescued the offense’s slow start.

Later in the half, the Raiders recovered from a San Francisco touchdown that had given the visitors a two-possession lead. Las Vegas stopped the 49ers on their final possession of the first half, thanks in large part to sacks of Byron Young and Snowden.

Offensively, the Raiders didn’t get going until late in the first half, when Nathan Peterman led a 10-play, 79-yard drive that ended with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Kristian Wilkerson that brought the Silver and Black within 3 points. San Francisco led 17-14 at halftime. That would be Peterman’s lasting impression.

The experienced quarterback finished the competition with 108 passing yards and a touchdown.

The Raiders’ rookie quarterback Carter Bradley would step in at quarterback for the rest of the game. He started with the baton and led an 81-yard touchdown drive in just six plays that ended with a 35-yard touchdown pass to McAllister, his second touchdown of the night.

The defense continued to play admirably in the second half, allowing just one touchdown. Bradley and the offense, meanwhile, struggled to catch up. Three possessions ended in punts and one in an interception thrown by Bradley.

When it mattered most, however, Bradley and the offense marched 64 yards with less than 2 minutes left to play. That drive was almost entirely credited to Raiders wide receiver Ramel Keyton, who made three pass catches for a heroic 54 yards. That set Las Vegas up to tie the score with a 43-yard field goal attempt that kicker Daniel Carlson sank.

Keyton finished the night with 76 receiving yards, while Bradley had 169 passing yards and a touchdown, completing 9 of 21 throws.

After a wild final 16 seconds, consisting of a costly penalty for unnecessary roughness and a hectic last-ditch attempt by the 49ers to score a point, the contest ended in a tie.

Other notable performances for the Raiders throughout the game included linebacker Amari Gainer, who led the defense with 13 tackles, and Kana’i Mauga, who finished with seven tackles.

Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said last week he wanted to play better at the end, and his team certainly delivered in what was the most meaningful game for the players battling for a spot on the roster.

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