LAS VEGAS – The San Francisco 49ers encountered a preseason setback as they fell to the Las Vegas Raiders with a score of 34-7 in Sunday’s 2023 Preseason opener. While the 49ers had hoped to showcase their potential, Las Vegas rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell stole the spotlight, leading the Raiders to victory with an impressive performance.
O’Connell, a fourth-round pick from Purdue, exhibited his efficiency and composure by completing 15 of 18 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown. Despite his success, O’Connell remained humble, acknowledging that there’s still room for improvement beyond the stars. Raiders coach Josh McDaniels praised O’Connell’s debut, expressing confidence in his potential for growth.
On the other side of the field, the 49ers faced challenges with their quarterback duo. Trey Lance, who holds great promise for the team’s future, struggled against a formidable Raiders pass rush, enduring four sacks and narrowly avoiding multiple interceptions. Lance finished his day completing 10 of 15 passes for 112 yards and one touchdown. Sam Darnold, who took the field in the second half, faced additional hurdles with dropped passes and turnovers that played into the Raiders’ success.
As the preseason continues, the 49ers aim to regroup and refine their strategies, learning from this early test as they look ahead to the challenges of the regular season.
