SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Football is a game of inches, an idiom the Raiders cruelly learned in their first trip back to The Bay area since 2018.
The final score of 38-17 doesn't adequately tell the story of how tightly the Raiders played the 49ers, blundering away several opportunities to close the gap and even potentially come from behind.
Yet, it was a disastrous and quite confusing second half showing from the Raiders offense which consisted of five turnovers to the 49ers. The field position of the turnovers was even more damning, with three of them coming in field goal territory.
"The game has to be balanced," said Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak postgame. "You can be a running and throwing team [and] when you're throwing it every time, that's not easy."
The reasoning behind a heavy passing offense is the continual problem of stopping or producing a rushing attack.
The Raiders defense couldn't catch their breath, as the 49ers ran the ball up the middle at will. Their first drive consisted of Christian McCaffrey, Kyle Juszczyk and Kaelon Black averaging 5.3 yards a carry. McCaffrey punched it in from the 1-yard line for the first score of the game.
On their second touchdown drive, Brock Purdy scrambled for 32 yards, with déjà vu setting in as the 49ers quarterback also scored from the 1-yard line, taking an early 14-0 lead.
The 49ers rushed for 94 yards before the second quarter began. In totality, the 49ers outgained the Raiders in rushing yardage, 190-24.
"You got to be tied together," said edge rusher Maxx Crosby. "At the back end and the linebackers as well, it's communication, it's leveraging the formation. Several things that tie into stopping the run. It's not just one player, it's got to be all 11. All hands on deck."
Making up for lost time, Kirk Cousins started stretching the field, completing four passes to four different players for 48 yards. With the help of Michael Mayer pushing from behind, Cousins sneaked into the end zone from the 1-yard line, his second straight week with a rushing touchdown.
Yet the problems against the run started transferring over against the pass game for the Raiders. San Francisco's offense quickly stormed back down the field, with Purdy identifying a wide open McCaffrey while being blitzed for a 12-yard touchdown. A 50-yard field goal from Matt Gay made it 21-10 going into halftime.
As the second half began, chaos ensued.
Between the two teams, there were four turnovers in the third quarter. Things got off to a rough start for Cousins, who bobbled a snap and picked the ball up – then throwing an errant pass to Tre Tucker that was picked off by linebacker Jaden Dugger and returned 35 yards for a touchdown.
After the Raiders quarterback rebounded with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Brock Bowers, the defense got their 14th takeaway this season with rookie safety Treydan Stukes baiting Purdy into an interception intended for George Kittle.
With it being his second interception, Stukes and Hezekiah Masses (three) are the only rookie teammates with multiple interceptions in the NFL this season.
"It was good communication all-around," said Stukes on his interception. "I got some pre-snap communication with the other players and that's what helped me to be able to be in front of the play and have a chance on that one. … We got to find a way to do that more often, get our offense more chances so we can win these games."
Yet the Raiders couldn't capitalize, not once, but twice.
Bowers, who still had an impressive seven catches for 111 receiving yards in this outing, fumbled on a screen pass with 49ers linebacker Fred Warner punching the ball out and linebacker Dre Greenlaw recovering it.
"We got to score," said a dejected Mayer in the visiting locker room. "That's our livelihood right there, we got to get in the dang end zone. And I got to protect the football. That football is my entire life. So for me to fumble the football like that, that close to the end zone is totally unacceptable."
Shortly thereafter, Purdy was stuffed on 4th-and-1 with a turnover on downs. Cousins hit a laser over the middle to Mayer for a 24-yard gain. Yet at the one-yard line, trying to cross over the plane, 49ers nickelback Upton Stout forced another fumble with Fred Warner recovering the ball in the end zone for a touchback.
The two missed opportunities led to Purdy uncorking a 37-yard touchdown to Jordan Watkins, with Masses being a step behind.
As the offense continued to put up a fight, they got back to the one-yard line with a 33-yard grab and go by Bowers.
The three-play sequence at the goal line: Fred Warner diving stop on a QB sneak, a Michael Mayer touchdown catch nullified by offensive pass interference, interception to linebacker Renardo Green as Cousins rolled out looking for Tre Tucker.
Cousins threw another interception to Malik Mustapha in the fourth quarter, finishing with three interceptions – his first time with as many interceptions since Week 13 of the 2024 season.
"When you're in position to throw the ball every down, starting in the second quarter, you're going to throw interceptions," Kubiak said bluntly. "So, we have to find balance on our team, that's not a new topic."
This is also the sixth consecutive game the Raiders defense has allowed at least 30 points. With more questions than answers heading into a matchup with the defending champion Seattle Seahawks, adjustments will need to be made.
The Raiders must find a way to earn that extra inch, still in the playoff hunt at 4-5.
View photos from the Raiders' regular season Week 9 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Folorunso Fatukasi (94) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (5) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (5) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Folorunso Fatukasi (94) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Quay Walker (7) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Quay Walker (7) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97), safety Treydan Stukes (31) and safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dareke Young (81) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Trey Zuhn III (66) and center Tyler Linderbaum (65) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Trey Zuhn III (66) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard/center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Kwity Paye (95) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. (4) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor (9) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders offense during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders offense during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dareke Young (81) and wide receiver Cody White (82) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) and fullback Connor Heyward (34) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Treydan Stukes (31) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jermod McCoy (28) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. (25) and running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor (9) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Matt Gay (14) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard/center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) and kicker Matt Gay (14) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders center Tyler Linderbaum (65), wide receiver Tre Tucker (1), and guard Spencer Burford (70) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders offense during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor (9), tight end Brock Bowers (89) and running back Ashton Jeanty (2)during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Spencer Burford (70) and tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dareke Young (81) and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Treydan Stukes (31) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Treydan Stukes (31) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Treydan Stukes (31) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Treydan Stukes (31) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Treydan Stukes (31) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Treydan Stukes (31) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Treydan Stukes (31) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders center Tyler Linderbaum (65) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Quay Walker (7) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Treydan Stukes (31) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Kwity Paye (95) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. (25) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Segun Olubi (50) and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard/center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. (4) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Kwity Paye (95) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders center Tyler Linderbaum (65) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Quay Walker (7) and defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jermod McCoy (28) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Quay Walker (7), defensive tackle Tim Keenan III (91) and defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Kwity Paye (95) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) and cornerback Taron Johnson (3) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jermod McCoy (28) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dareke Young (81) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) and safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
