NFL 2024 Preseason: Week 3 Raiders Recap
After losing their first two preseason games, the Raiders sought to win their last one. The Raiders were hosting the San Francisco 49ers. Firmly entrenched as the starter after reaching the Super Bowl last year, Brock Purdy was expected to sit. Yet Kyle Shanahan had him start. Purdy led the 49ers from their own 32 to the Raiders 26 before the drive died. Moody hit a 49 year old field goal to make it 3-0 49ers.
Antonio Pierce named Gardner Minshew the regular season starter and Aidan O’Connell the backup. They were given the night off as this game became an audition for the 3rd string quarterback competitors. Nathan Peterman once threw 5 interceptions in one half of football. Yet former Raiders coach Jon Gruden raved about him and gave him a chance. Now he had another chance. On 3rd and 2 from his own 39, Peterman gained one yard as the Raiders went 3 and out.
Meanwhile, Purdy led a 12 play, 85 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive. Mason ran for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 49ers.The Raiders fumbled the ball away. Purdy led the 49ers from midfield to a 3rd and 6 at the Raiders 16. Purdy was then intercepted, Despite the pick, he seemed to be in regular season form and was done for the night. His backup was Allen. The 49ers were dominating, but the Raiders got a big break on special teams. Tyreik McAllister returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown to get the Raiders within 10-7.
Yet the 49ers shifted momentum right back when Guerendo returned the ensuing kickoff 93 yards to the Raiders 4 yard line. Taylor ran for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 17-7 49ers. The Raiders were lifeless on offense for 28 minutes. Just past the 2 minute warning, the Raiders finally got going from their own 21. Peterman hit Wilkerson for 14 and Brown for 20 and 12. On 3rd and 4 from the San Francisco 9, Peterman hit Guyton for 6. Peterman hit Wilkerson for a 3 yard touchdown with 13 seconds left in the half to get the Raiders within 17-14.
The Raiders began the third quarter at their own 19 and Bradley replaced Peterman. Playing against backup defenders, Bradley hit Keyton for 22 and McAkkister for a 35 yard touchdown to give the Raiders their first lead up 21-17. Allen had one more series for the 49ers resulting in a punt. When the 49ers got the ball back, Josh Dobbs was under center. He led the 49ers from their own 45 to a 3rd and goal at the 10. Dobbs hit Cowing for a 10 yard touchdown to make it 24-21 49ers after three quarters.
An ugly fourth quarter saw the 49ers fumble the ball away to set the Raiders up at the San Francisco 29. Yet on 4th and goal at the 2, Bradley went to the end zone and was intercepted. With 1:45 left in regulation, the 49ers fourth quarterback of the day was Mordecai. The 49ers had 4th and 5 at the Raiders 11. A field goal would not lock up the win, so Shanahan went for it. This would not have happened in the regular season. Mordecai threw incomplete.
Bradley led the Raiders all the way to the Frisco 20. With a chance for the win, Bradley was sacked with 35 seconds left. With 16 seconds left, Daniel Carlson came in for a 43 yard field goal try to tie the game. Carlson was good.
A touchback and a defensive unnecessary roughness penalty had the 49ers at their own 45 with 3 seconds left. Mordecai completed the Hail Mary to Taylor for a 48 yard gain to the Raiders 7 yard line, but with no time left all the 49ers could do was try a few hook and laterals. The Raider recovered the ball. In preseason, there is no longer overtime. The game ended in a tie. The Raiders should be concerned. Peterman was cut a few days later. The Raiders have just over 2 weeks to get ready for their regular season opener at the Chargers. The 2024 preseason is in the books. 24-24 tie.
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