Let me make this clear off the jump:
The 49ers had no excuse not to look good on Friday night in Las Vegas.
Not only are the Niners a significantly better team than the Raiders, but San Francisco put a bunch of first-string players on the field in the team’s preseason finale.
And the Raiders did not.
So Brock Purdy and the Niners’ offense should have looked good.
The 49ers’ defense — even without some of its cream-of-the-crop stars — should have commanded the first half game.
And they did.
So that’s good.
Will the same truth apply to the Niners’ season opener on Sept. 9 against the Jets?
We’ll find out soon enough.
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STUDS
Brock Purdy
The Russell Wilson-like devil magic was on full display on Friday, with Purdy roaming around the backfield, pulling plays out of thin air.
His third-down throw to George Kittle — over a linebacker and in front of a collapsing safety, with Kittle having to go way up to get it — was a thing of beauty.
His frozen-rope throw to Chris Conley while rolling out to the right should be highlight-reel stuff — if only folks around the NFL viewed Purdy as a highlight-reel kind of player.
He picked up big gains with his feet, arm, and had the 49ers’ offense purring, even without Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams.
His one blemish in the game — an interception — can be pinned on Deebo Samuel, who let the ball bounce off his hands. The Raiders picked up the deflection.
Again, Purdy wasn’t facing the best of the best the Raiders had to offer (so what does that make the team we saw Friday?) but after an uninspiring preseason, both practices and games, the Niners’ quarterback showed that he’s ready for the show on Monday Night Football.
Jordan Mason
He’s the team’s No. 2 running back. There’s no use in debating it anymore — Mason has been outstanding this preseason and was strong again on Friday, rushing eight times for 42 yards.
The only question is what Mason’s emergence means for Elijah Mitchell. I imagine the Niners will have a tough decision to make on the oft-injured running back over the next few days, leading into cut day.
The returning rookies
Running back Isaac Guerendo was made to run the outside zone play. That just so happens to be a skillset that lends itself perfectly to the NFL’s new kickoff rules. Sure enough, in his first game in a 49ers uniform, the Lousiville product returned a kick 93 yards, setting up an easy second touchdown for the Niners.
Fellow rookie Jacob Cowing impressed as a punt returner on Friday, too. The Niners are set at these spots for this season and seasons to come.
Nick Zakelj
Had a really nice game as both a run blocker at guard and center. The Niners’ faith looked rewarded.
Jake Tonges
Another strong game. He’s been so consistent this camp, that it’s hard to argue he’s not the No. 3 tight end on this team. If nothing else, he has to force the Niners to consider keeping four tight ends.
Rock Ya-Sin
He has to make the roster after another strong game. He was a hell of a find for the Niners.
Sam Okuayinonu
There’s something there. We’ve seen it in practice, and it showed up in the game Friday. I think the Niners would be foolish not to further explore.
Sebastian Gutiérrez
The play of the day wasn’t a Purdy throw or Mason run, it was the multi-lateral game ending that saw the depth offensive lineman pick up the ball not just once, but twice and nearly — improbably! — run it 20 yards into the end zone.
The play wouldn’t have counted, but the memories will last forever.
DUDS
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Sam Womack
It doesn’t matter if you make a couple of nice plays, if you also allow two touchdowns with mistakes.
I don’t know what Womack was doing on the Raiders’ third touchdown of the game. He was beaten off the line of scrimmage, and then interfered after recovering. Not that it mattered — former Hamilton Ti-Cat Tyreik McAllister caught the pass, turned, and ran into the end-zone.
Womack is fighting for the final cornerback spot on this team. That was a play that should get him cut.
But for that to happen after he overran McAllister on punt coverage, allowing the speedy back to return the punt for a touchdown is inexcusable.
There are a lot better players than McAllister. Womack probably won’t get a chance to face them this season.
Brayden Willis
Missed blocks, blown assignments, penalties — Willis was conspiring against himself on Friday.
And after weeks of looking like the man for the No. 3 tight-end job, it’s fair to wonder if he still has a hold of the gig.
Jake Tonges was excellent, again on Friday. His blocking, in particular, was stellar.
If the Niners are truly building a team of the best players, No. 9 will be cut next Tuesday and No. 88 — who has been outstanding all camp — will be in.
Ronnie Bell and Cam Latu
That should do it, folks.
