The San Francisco 49ers beat the Las Vegas Raiders 38-17 on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, in an NFL Week 9 game that was decided by star power on one side and mistakes on the other. Brock Purdy threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown of his own, while Christian McCaffrey scored twice in his return from a mild hamstring strain. The 49ers defense forced five turnovers, including three interceptions of Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins, and San Francisco moved to 7-1, the best record in the NFL.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Final score | San Francisco 49ers 38, Las Vegas Raiders 17 |
| Date and place | Sunday, November 8, 2026, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara |
| Week | NFL Week 9 |
| 49ers record | 7-1, best record in the NFL |
| Raiders record | 4-5 |
| Brock Purdy | 17 of 25 for 232 yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, 7 carries for 40 yards and 1 rushing touchdown |
| Christian McCaffrey | 18 carries for 68 yards and 1 rushing touchdown, 2 catches for 19 yards and a 12-yard touchdown catch |
| Kirk Cousins | 22 of 32 for 216 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions, 1 lost fumble |
| Turnovers forced by 49ers defense | 5 |
| Total yards | San Francisco 414, Las Vegas 240 |
| Rushing yards | San Francisco 190, Las Vegas 24 |
| Next games | 49ers at Dallas next Sunday, Raiders host Seattle next week |
Purdy Sets the Tone After the Bye
San Francisco came into this game fresh off its bye week, and Brock Purdy looked like a quarterback who had used the time well. He finished 17 of 25 passing for 232 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, and he added seven carries for 40 yards and a rushing touchdown. That gave him three total touchdowns on the day, and it was the kind of steady, complete performance that has defined the 49ers season so far.
The interception was the one blemish on his day, but it did not change the shape of the game. Purdy answered it the way good quarterbacks do, by going back out and making the next throw with confidence. His 37-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Watkins in the second half was the throw that put the game out of reach, a deep strike that came right after the Raiders had cut into the lead.
McCaffrey Makes History on His Return
Christian McCaffrey returned from the mild hamstring strain he suffered in Week 7, and he did not look like a player easing his way back. He carried the ball 18 times for 68 yards and a rushing touchdown, and he caught two passes for 19 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown reception. His 1-yard run opened the scoring, and his touchdown catch just before halftime pushed the lead to 21-7.
The touchdown catch carried history with it. It was the 36th career touchdown catch for McCaffrey, which moved him past Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk for the most touchdown receptions by a running back in the Super Bowl era. That is a remarkable mark for a player whose job starts with running the ball, and it says something about how complete his game has become.
The rushing touchdown extended another streak. It was his seventh consecutive game with a rushing touchdown, a run of consistency that shows how central he is to everything San Francisco does near the goal line. Defenses know the ball is likely going to McCaffrey in those spots, and they still cannot stop it.
What makes McCaffrey so hard to defend is that he threatens a defense in two ways at once. A linebacker who steps up to stop the run leaves space behind him for a pass, and a defender who drops into coverage opens a lane for the run. Purdy used both sides of that problem all afternoon, and the Raiders never found an answer. McCaffrey finished with 87 total yards and two touchdowns, modest numbers by his standards, but his presence changed how Las Vegas had to play defense, and that opened room for everyone else.
The 49ers were already in strong shape before this game, and the bye week only seemed to sharpen them. For more on the build-up to this matchup, read about Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel likely out for 49ers Raiders Week 9.
Five Turnovers Break the Raiders
The story of this game, as much as the 49ers offense, was the San Francisco defense and the five turnovers it forced. Kirk Cousins threw three interceptions and lost a fumble, and the Raiders never recovered from the damage. Cousins finished 22 of 32 for 216 yards with one touchdown, but the turnovers defined his day.
The biggest play came from rookie linebacker Jaden Dugger, who returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown in the second half. It was the kind of play that swings a game in one moment, turning a Raiders drive into 49ers points. Renardo Green and Malik Mustapha also intercepted Cousins, spreading the takeaways across the secondary and showing that this was a team effort, not one lucky play.
Turnovers change games in ways that go beyond the points they create directly. They shorten the field for the offense and they take the air out of a sideline. The Raiders felt all of that on Sunday. They were outgained 414 to 240, and the gap on the ground told the story even more clearly: San Francisco ran for 190 yards while Las Vegas managed only 24.
Brock Bowers was the bright spot for Las Vegas, leading the game in receiving with 111 yards, and he caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Cousins in the second half. But one receiver, even one as talented as Bowers, cannot carry an offense that keeps giving the ball away. Each time the Raiders closed the gap, San Francisco answered. Purdy’s 37-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Watkins came right after the Bowers score, and Eddy Pineiro’s 35-yard field goal with 5:21 left made it 38-17 and ended any doubt.
Elsewhere around the league on Sunday, the Rams beat the Commanders 20-13 as Puka Nacua gained 150 yards.
A New Look Defensive Line
Sunday also marked the debut of a revamped 49ers defensive line, and it made its presence felt right away. DeForest Buckner, acquired by trade from the Indianapolis Colts, joined the front, and Nick Bosa returned from a calf injury.
A strong defensive line does more than sack the quarterback. It forces rushed throws, it clogs running lanes, and it makes every snap harder for the offense. The five turnovers were not an accident in that light. Cousins was under pressure, the throws were hurried, and the 49ers defenders were in position to take advantage.
The only dark note for San Francisco was the injury to rookie defensive tackle Gracen Halton, who was carted off late in the game with a leg injury that required an air cast. The 49ers will hope for good news, because a deep defensive line is only deep if the players stay healthy.
Still, the debut of the new line was a success. San Francisco held Las Vegas to 240 total yards and 24 rushing yards, numbers that speak to control at the line of scrimmage. When a defense holds a team to that little on the ground, it forces the opponent to throw, and when the opponent has to throw, turnovers follow.
What Comes Next for Both Teams
At 7-1, the 49ers own the best record in the NFL, and they head to Dallas next Sunday for a game that will test them in a different way. The offense is healthy again with McCaffrey back, the defensive line has new pieces in place, and Purdy is playing with confidence. The question now is whether this team can keep its level up week after week, because the record puts a target on its back.
For the Raiders, the picture is harder. At 4-5, they host Seattle next week, and they need answers in a hurry. The talent is there: Bowers is one of the best young pass catchers in the game, and the roster has pieces that can win. But five turnovers in one game is the kind of problem that has to be fixed before anything else matters. Protecting the football is the first job of an offense, and until Las Vegas does that, the rest of its plans will keep falling apart.
The gap between these two teams on Sunday was clear in the numbers: 414 yards to 240, 190 rushing yards to 24, five turnovers to one. San Francisco scored first, led 21-7 at halftime, and never let Las Vegas closer than two scores after that.
Around the league, the Cowboys beat the Colts 27-23 on a Caleb Downs interception, a reminder that turnovers decided more than one game on Sunday.
FAQs
Who won the 49ers vs Raiders game on November 8, 2026?
The San Francisco 49ers won 38-17 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara in NFL Week 9. Brock Purdy threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, Christian McCaffrey scored twice, and the 49ers defense forced five turnovers.
How did Christian McCaffrey make history against the Raiders?
McCaffrey caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Brock Purdy, his 36th career touchdown catch. That moved him past Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk for the most touchdown receptions by a running back in the Super Bowl era. He also scored on a 1-yard run, his seventh straight game with a rushing touchdown.
How many turnovers did the 49ers defense force?
The 49ers forced five turnovers. Kirk Cousins threw three interceptions and lost a fumble. Rookie linebacker Jaden Dugger returned one interception 35 yards for a touchdown, and Renardo Green and Malik Mustapha also picked off Cousins.
What is next for the 49ers and Raiders?
The 7-1 49ers head to Dallas next Sunday. The 4-5 Raiders host Seattle next week.
Sources
Final Thoughts
The 49ers beat the Raiders 38-17 in a game that showed why San Francisco sits at 7-1 with the best record in the NFL. Brock Purdy played a clean, confident game with three total touchdowns. Christian McCaffrey returned from injury and made history with a touchdown catch that passed Marshall Faulk. The defense forced five turnovers and held Las Vegas to 24 rushing yards. It was a complete win, and it sets up a big trip to Dallas next Sunday. The only worry is the injury to rookie Gracen Halton. For the Raiders, the lesson is simple and hard: protect the football, or nothing else matters.
