Niners had Raiders on the run; next it’s the Cowboys

The San Francisco 49ers did what they wanted against the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday, on the ground and on the scoreboard.

Although we tend to think of the NFL as a league where passing is the most effective offensive way to succeed, there is a long-held idea that the team that runs the ball eventually wins the game. We’ve been advised by coaches through the decades that you wear down the opposition’s defensive line.

So head coach Kyle Shanahan’s game plan Sunday was for the Niners to run the ball at least 40 times. San Francisco, in fact, had a season-high 43, and that, along with an excellent defense—which included five takeaways in the second half—was responsible for defeating the Raiders 38-17 at Levi’s Stadium.

As often is the case, Christian McCaffrey got much of the yardage. He carried 18 times for 68 yards and a touchdown, and as in his multi-purpose role, McCaffrey also had 2 receptions for 19 yards and a touchdown.

In his 10-year NFL career, McCaffrey now has 37 receiving touchdowns, a record for the so-called Super Bowl era, starting in 1967.

“It takes all 11 players to run the ball,” said McCaffrey, alluding to his blockers.

It only takes one to throw it. For the 49ers, that would be quarterback Brock Purdy, who completed 17 out of 25 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns.  He also scrambled for 40 yards and another touchdown. 

“I’d see a gap and try to make something happen,” Purdy said of his footwork.

After its eighth game, San Francisco remains tied for the best record in the NFL(7-1). Yes, there are weeks to go, but you’d like to think the Niners might have the other teams on the run.

For the former Oakland (L.A.) Raiders, the game was a homecoming of sorts. They returned to the Bay for the 1st time in several years.

 It was also a homecoming of sorts for the 49ers, who had not played anywhere after their loss to the Atlanta Falcons two weekends ago.

Since that time, the Niners made several player transactions, including bringing back the defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, who made his emotional return against the Raiders. “It’s what he does for everyone around him,” said Shanahan, a very satisfied head coach, meaning Buckner’s presence keeps the other team’s offense occupied. 

San Francisco’s offense was occupied with getting yards and points.

Christian McCaffrey ran 18 times for 68 yards and a touchdown. Not surprisingly, he also had two receptions for 19 yards and another touchdown. 

It was a great performance on the ground. Now it is back to the air. On a jet. The Niners, who opened the season in Australia, will play their next game in Mexico City against the Dallas Cowboys. Ole.