There was plenty to make Antonio Pierce unhappy with the performance of his team Friday night. These guys are all trying to make this roster and none of these guys did themselves any favors.
LB Kana’i Mauga
It was the 15-yard catch Mauga gave up on the 49ers first drive that put them in scoring range. And it was the 19-yard catch and 12-yard run he gave up on the next drive that helped them march down the field for a touchdown. The 16-yard catch he gave up on the next possession again put the 49ers in scoring range.
DT Byron Young, DT Matthew Butler
That first touchdown drive shined a bright light on the interior defensive line issues facing the Raiders. Or maybe I should say a black light. Because it was more like a crime scene out there.
The first play Butler and Young gave up an 11-yard run. Butler then managed a sack, though it was set up by Jenarius Robinson’s pressure running Purdy right into him.
The 49ers had driven to the Vegas 38. Then Young gave up a seven-yard run. Next play he seemed to have a shot at stopping Purdy on a scramble, but somehow missed him. Probably because he was jogging on the play, allowing Purdy to run for 13 yards. Next play, Butler was blocked back to give up a six-yard run. Next play, Butler wasn’t in his gap on another six-yard run to put the 49ers in first and goal at the five. Two plays later Butler was again blocked back to give up a four-yard touchdown run.
If the Raiders ever had to rely on either of these guys, Lord help them.
RB Dylan Laube
After that long drive put the 49ers up 10-0, the Raiders tried to answer. They would get their first first down of the game on a couple Laube runs of eight and five yards. Two plays later, they went back to Laube, dumping it off to him. He made the catch and then fumbled it away.
So, maybe he’s not ready to be a factor in the run game. What about as a kick returner? He fielded a kick two yards inside the end zone and took it out, making it to the 22-yard line. Had he just downed it in the end zone, it would have been a touchback and would’ve been placed at the 30. So, his decision, or lack of field awareness, cost the team eight yards.
T Dalton Wagner
Two Raiders drives stalled because of Wagner. In the second quarter, Sincere McCormick looked like he might break off a nice run, but when Wagner went to block his guy, he just stopped right in McCormick’s path and the back hit him and went down for a two-yard gain.
The final drive, the Raiders were down 24-21 and driving, looking like they had a real chance to score a touchdown for the win. They made it into the red zone one a nice 20-yard leaping grab by Ramel Keyton. Bradley came up to the line and spiked it to stop the clock at 36 seconds. And the next play, Wagner gave up the sack. This meant Bradley had to spike the ball again just to keep the clock from running out. And it meant the Raiders had to decide whether to go for broke on 4th and 15 or tie it up with the field goal. They opted for the field goal.
