San Francisco improved to 7-1 as its defense intercepted Kirk Cousins three times, including a pick-six, and recovered two fumbles.
San Francisco took care of business coming out of its bye, beating Las Vegas 38-17 to move to 7-1 and stay atop the NFC West. The win wasn't flawless, but the 49ers defense made sure it didn't need to be, piling up five takeaways in the second half alone.
The offense did its work early, putting together three touchdown drives of at least 12 plays to build a 21-10 halftime lead. Then the defense took over. On the first play of the third quarter, linebacker Jaden Dugger picked off Kirk Cousins and returned it for a touchdown, pushing the score to 28-10. Las Vegas answered with a 21-yard touchdown catch from Brock Bowers, but that was as close as it got. Fumbles from both Bowers and Michael Mayer kept the Raiders scoreless the rest of the third quarter, and San Francisco finished with three interceptions off Cousins to go with the two fumble recoveries.
It was San Francisco's biggest takeaway haul since a 2014 game when Eli Manning threw five interceptions against them. Players described the defense as playing at a championship level, crediting discipline and relentless effort for the second-half swarm.