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Raiders Fall to 49ers in Field Goal Frenzy

Las Vegas struggles offensively as San Francisco capitalizes on late-game execution to win 18-12 in a preseason contest at Allegiant Stadium.

Briar Keller

August 29, 20262 min read

field goal drama - illustration, Jake Team LLC
NFLFinal
San Francisco 49ers18
Las Vegas Raiders12

August 28, 2026

A Struggle for the Home Side

The Las Vegas Raiders found themselves trailing late in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers, a deficit that ultimately proved insurmountable in a 18-12 preseason defeat. Playing before a crowd of 62,104 at Allegiant Stadium on Friday, August 28, 2026, the Raiders failed to convert their scoring opportunities into a victory.

The contest was defined by a barrage of field goals, with no touchdowns recorded by either squad, resulting in a low-scoring affair that saw the visitors pull away in the final period.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

The scoring sequence began with Las Vegas kicker Matt Gay converting a 37-yard field goal, followed shortly by a 53-yard strike, giving the home team a 6-0 lead in the first quarter.

San Francisco responded in the second period with Eddy Pineiro kicking a 24-yard field goal to cut the lead, but Las Vegas re-established the cushion when Gay added a 45-yard field goal, leaving the Raiders up 9-3 at the half. The third quarter saw the 49ers tie the game at 9-9 when Pineiro connected from 48 yards out.

The decisive momentum shifted in the fourth quarter, where Pineiro struck twice from long range, including a 59-yard and a 51-yard field goal, to give San Francisco the lead. Although Gay responded with a 48-yard field goal to tie the game at 12-12, Pineiro sealed the result with a 54-yard field goal.

Statistical Performance

Offensively, the Raiders relied heavily on the boot. Fernando Mendoza completed seven of 14 passes for 57 yards and one interception. Mike Washington Jr. carried the ball eight times for 49 yards, while Tre Tucker led the receiving corps with three catches for 25 yards.

On the other side, Adrian Martinez completed 12 of 21 passes for 130 yards. Khalil Herbert rushed for 39 yards on eight carries, and Jordan Watkins caught four passes for 64 yards. The 49ers' ability to sustain drives and convert field goals proved superior in the crucial moments of the fourth quarter.

Final Standing

The result leaves the San Francisco 49ers with a 2-1 record, while the Las Vegas Raiders drop to 1-2. The game concluded with the final score of 18-12 in favor of the visitors, marking a challenging evening for the Raiders' offensive unit as they continue their preseason preparation.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401873641

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Briar Keller

Briar Keller covers Saratoga high school and area college sports.

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