49ers Rally Past Raiders 18-12 in Preseason Week 4

The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 18-12 on Thursday night at Allegiant Stadium, using Adrian Martinez’s 130 passing yards and a 9-3 fourth-quarter edge to finish their preseason schedule with a road victory.

It was a patient, back-and-forth preseason contest in Las Vegas, where the Raiders opened with a 6-0 first-quarter lead before San Francisco steadily worked its way back. The 49ers scored six points in the second quarter to narrow the halftime deficit to 9-6, then added three points in the third to pull even at 9-9 heading into the final 15 minutes.

San Francisco made the decisive push in the fourth quarter. The 49ers posted nine points while allowing Las Vegas only a field goal, turning a tie game into an 18-12 final. In a preseason setting built around roster evaluations and depth-chart opportunities, the closing stretch gave San Francisco a valuable look at its ability to execute late and protect a lead on the road.

Key Performers

Adrian Martinez led the 49ers through the air, completing 12 of 21 passes for 130 yards. Martinez was the game’s passing-yards leader and helped San Francisco generate enough offense to overcome its early six-point deficit. The supplied game summary did not list passing touchdown or interception totals, but his 12 completions provided the most productive passing output of the night.

Jordan Watkins was Martinez’s top target and the game’s receiving leader, catching four passes for 64 yards. Watkins accounted for nearly half of Martinez’s passing yardage, giving the 49ers a reliable option as they worked through the Raiders defense. His production stood out in a game where neither club created much separation until the fourth quarter.

For Las Vegas, Mike Washington Jr. paced the ground game with eight carries for 49 yards. Washington averaged more than six yards per attempt and gave the Raiders an efficient rushing presence, particularly important after Las Vegas built its early lead. Still, the Raiders were held scoreless in the third quarter and could not match the 49ers’ late scoring push.

NerdSports Stat: San Francisco erased a 9-6 halftime deficit by outscoring Las Vegas 12-3 over the final two quarters.

The scoring sequence underscored how narrow the margin was throughout. Las Vegas led after the first quarter and again at halftime, while San Francisco did not take control until it found its fourth-quarter answer. The Raiders’ 3-0 advantage in the second quarter preserved their lead before the 49ers leveled the game in the third, setting up the decisive final period.

Neither team had an extended offensive breakout, making every scoring possession meaningful. The 49ers’ ability to limit Las Vegas to three second-half points was the defining team performance, while the Raiders will point to their inability to turn a competitive first half into a closing-quarter advantage.

The preseason result moves San Francisco to 2-1, including a 2-0 mark away from home, while Las Vegas falls to 1-2. The 49ers now turn their attention to the regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, September 10, while the Raiders will prepare to host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, September 13.

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