Raiders blow another double-digit lead in loss to 49ers
The Raiders found another way to lose a close game Sunday -- their ninth one-possession loss of the season.
Even though Las Vegas had several lucky breaks before the end of regulation, including Davante Adams' incredible 45-yard grab and San Francisco kicker Robbie Gould missing a game-winning field goal attempt, it still lost.
Backup quarterback Jarret Stidham, who stepped in for starter Derek Carr after he was benched this week, threw an interception to Tashaun Gipson on Las Vegas' first drive in overtime, setting up Gould's winning field goal to seal the 37-34 defeat.
Although Stidham played well, throwing for 365 yards, the mistake will likely overshadow the production and continues to cement the Raiders' problems, regardless of QB.
What makes the loss to the 49ers more frustrating is that Las Vegas (6-10) had San Francisco (12-4) on the ropes midway through the third quarter, leading 24-14, and it still didn't deliver a knockout blow.
According to Josh Dubow of the Associated Press, the Raiders are the first team to lose five or more times in one season when leading by double digits in the second half.
This stat encapsulates the season because it wasted the promise of a 2021 playoff appearance.
If Las Vegas had managed to reverse this trend, it would have been on the verge of competing for an AFC wild-card spot. However, the Raiders never addressed the late-game hiccups.
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