Raiders’ Slow Start Puts Them in Catch-Up Mode Against 49ers

Las Vegas opened the road game with a defensive stand that never came: San Francisco drove 69 yards in 12 plays. The Raiders’ first possession then lasted three plays and produced just seven yards before a punt, using about a minute of game time. The 49ers soon extended their lead to 14-0, leaving Las Vegas chasing the game.

The Raiders had particular trouble stopping the run. San Francisco came close to rushing for 100 yards in the first quarter, following a recent game in which Las Vegas allowed the New York Jets to gain 140 yards on the ground in the first half. The defensive struggles also put pressure on a Raiders secondary described as questionable.

The loss came after Las Vegas beat the Jets in Week 8. The team is 4-5 at the halfway point of the season, a record that keeps it in the playoff hunt but leaves it near several teams with fewer wins. The account of the game characterized the Raiders as improved from last season, while still having significant roster weaknesses.

Las Vegas made extensive roster additions in the offseason after finishing 3-14 under Pete Carroll, but the team is still early in its rebuilding process. The assessment of the loss was that many problems stem from roster limitations more than coaching, and that the team’s five defeats reflect risks taken while addressing some positions ahead of others.

The Raiders’ upcoming matchups with Seattle and Denver leave the team facing decisions about how to handle the rest of the season. The team’s leadership is urged to weigh player development and the longer-term rebuild against the possibility of pursuing a playoff spot, with game experience presented as more productive for development than practice alone.