The San Francisco 49ers just wrapped up their preseason schedule with an 18-12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium, and if you saw the box score, you know one guy owned that game. Kicker Eddy Pineiro was the *only* 49er to put points on the board, drilling all six of his field goal attempts to secure the victory. Seriously, six field goals! That’s not something you see every day, even in the preseason.
Pineiro Was Worth Every Penny, Dugger a Monster
Let’s talk about Eddy Pineiro first, because man, what a performance. This guy absolutely proved he’s worth every bit of the money the 49ers paid him this offseason. Making all six of your field goals and being responsible for every single point your team scores in a win? That’s clutch. Having a kicker you can truly rely on is such a huge advantage, and Pineiro looks absolutely dialed in for the season ahead.
On the other side of the ball, fifth-round pick linebacker Jaden Dugger has been making noise all throughout camp and the preseason, and he absolutely exploded against the Raiders. He racked up a game-high 10 tackles and threw in two quarterback hits for good measure. When an NFL Hall of Famer like Patrick Willis is taking notice, you know this kid is doing something special. That’s the kind of emerging talent every team needs to see before the regular season kicks off.
Secondary Depth Stepped Up Big Time
With some key guys like Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green sitting out, San Francisco’s secondary depth got a huge test, and they delivered. Jack Jones got the start at corner and flashed some serious skill, finishing with three tackles and an awesome pass defensed where he jumped the route perfectly. Luter played later in the game, adding one tackle and an impressive two passes defensed. And you gotta give some love to Siran Neal, who’s been playing mostly safety in camp but stepped in at cornerback and looked like he’d been there all along. He snagged three tackles and broke up a pair of passes. That kind of versatility and depth is priceless for a defense.
Offense Still Finding Its Way
While the defense was making plays, the passing attack wasn’t exactly lighting it up against the Raiders’ D. The one bright spot for the 49ers’ receiving corps was 2025 fourth-round pick Jordan Watkins, who pulled in four catches for 64 yards. He was the only 49er with more than two receptions, so you know he made an impact. In the backfield, with Christian McCaffrey resting, Khalil Herbert, Jordan James, and Kaelon Black split carries, combining for 102 rushing yards at a solid 5.1 yards per attempt. Sincere McCormick, though, was clearly the odd man out in that rotation, only managing eight yards on seven carries.
This win might have been just preseason, but seeing guys like Pineiro, Dugger, and that depth in the secondary step up is super important. It shows who’s ready to roll when the real games kick off. You gotta wonder if that offense can find its groove, though. Six field goals for all your points? That’s a good problem if your kicker is automatic, but a potential headache if the offense isn’t converting in the red zone. Still, they got the W, and now it’s all about getting locked and loaded for the season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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