Raiders Drop 38-17 to 49ers as Kirk Cousins Throws Three Interceptions
Las Vegas commits five turnovers in the final 30 minutes while facing trade rumors before the upcoming NFL deadline.
By Bianca Shevchenko ·
The Las Vegas Raiders lost 38-17 to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, a defeat that exposed the gap between the two teams. Kirk Cousins threw three interceptions in the loss, marking a rare down day for the veteran quarterback.
The Raiders’ defense allowed at least 30 points in six straight games. Despite special teams creating short fields, the offense failed to capitalize on opportunities. The team recorded five turnovers during the final 30 minutes of the contest.
Cousins threw a pick-six on the first play of the third quarter while trailing by 11 points. Another interception occurred in the end zone late in the game. Tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer each fumbled the ball, returning possession to the 49ers. Mayer’s fumble happened while he was being tackled near the goal line.
With the trade deadline approaching this week, Cousins has become the subject of trade rumors. Multiple teams have shown interest in the quarterback. The Raiders have a 4-5 record and are currently rebuilding with Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall draft pick, set to eventually start.
Cousins has served as a bridge between the current roster and Mendoza’s arrival. He has been a consistent presence for the young quarterback, allowing Mendoza to learn the position without immediate pressure. The Raiders face a decision on whether to explore trade options or keep their current starter.
“Feels a little bit out of my hands so I’ll just let the decision-makers make decisions and react accordingly,” Cousins said. “Love it here, love the guys here and feel good about what we have here. The (trade deadline) is more of an outside thing. I think we just go about our business. That’s not something on the forefront of our minds, really.”
Coach Klint Kubiak stated the team will review the film to identify errors without pointing fingers. Edge rusher Maxx Crosby said he knows some turnovers were not intentional and emphasized the team’s response to the loss. “I’ll go to war with these guys every single day of the week and that’s what we’re going to keep doing,” Crosby said.
The Raiders described the day as disappointing because they believed plays were available to cut into the deficit. They will focus on improving their execution in upcoming games. The loss against the league’s top team reinforced the distance between the Raiders and elite competition.
