49ers grades, analysis from nailbiting overtime win vs. Raiders

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Defense was almost entirely dispensed with as the San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders engaged in a shootout with huge playoff ramifications.

It wasn’t nearly as easy as first hoped and there were plenty of nervous moments on the way, but the San Francisco 49ers have climbed into the No. 2 seed on the back of a 37-34 win in overtime at Allegiant Stadium.

With the Minnesota Vikings losing to the Green Bay Packers, this meant the 49ers finally were able to climb above them. An added bonus is the Philadelphia Eagles losing to the New Orleans Saints, which leaves the a shot at the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

The equation for Week 18 is simple. A win over the Arizona Cardinals clinches the No. 2 seed, and also the No. 1 seed if the Eagles lose to the New York Giants.

The Raiders certainly made the 49ers work for it. San Francisco got an immediate taste of what it was in for when Las Vegas marched down the field for an easy touchdown, and didn’t let the foot off the pedal all half with a late touchdown to wide receiver Davante Adams meaning the Raiders went into halftime with a 17-14 lead.

A touchdown to the Raiders early in the third quarter gave them a 24-14 lead that threatened to break the game open, but the 49ers finally switched on with some important scoring drives coupled with some stouter defense seeing the team take a 27-24 lead on the Raiders.

The Raiders didn’t give up and responded to 49ers scores to make it 27-27 and then 34-34. The 49ers had the final drive in regulation and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk starred with four huge receptions to give Robbie Gould the kick that would send it hope.

Fate had one last twist however, and the kick sailed wide right. That, coupled with the Raiders winning the toss and thus possession to begin overtime, would have led even the most stout 49ers heart to begin to feel cursed.

However, despite the quiet defensive output for the most part, EDGE Nick Bosa popped up when needed most. He shoved a lineman into Raiders quarterback Jarrett Stidham as he threw, which resulted in a huge airball that went right into the arms of safety Tashaun Gipson who returned it well within field goal range.

One Gould chipshot later, and the 49ers were able to run off the field with the win and the No. 2 currently locked up.

One thing’s for sure. If someone told you one of the games of the season would be a shootout between quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Jarrett Stidham, you would have been shipped to the insane asylum.

Let’s look at the grades.