OAKLAND – Sure enough, one of the quarterbacks on the field Sunday lacked composure, precision and, in general, played like a rookie.
But that player was not Derek Carr, whom the Raiders chose with the No. 36 overall pick this year.
Carr had time to throw, stood tall in the pocket and carved up the 49ers’ secondary with 254 yards, three touchdowns and a passer rating of 140.2 in the Raiders’ 24-13 victory over the 49ers, who likely saw their playoff hopes come crashing down.
[RATTO: After loss to Raiders, 49ers' window now closed]
Meanwhile, Kaepernick continues to have a difficult time dealing with adversity. On his first throw after his two-interception performance in the Thanksgiving night loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Kaepernick was again picked off.
His problems continued throughout the game – with three delay-of-game penalties – and concluded with another interception into the hands of Charles Woodson late in the fourth quarter.
“I’m giving everything I have every time I step on the field,” Kaepernick said after he completed just 18 of 33 attempts for 174 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Kaepernick has allowed his composure to be questioned. The 49ers put together another horrendous offensive performance, and Kaepernick was seen pushing away a cameraman on his way to the locker room at halftime.
“If I put something real close to your face, you’re going to try to move it out of the way, too,” Kaepernick said.
Kaepernick appeared to be even more rattled by the close proximity of the Raiders’ pass rush. He was sacked five times for 23 yards in the game.
“Whenever you get pressure on the quarterback, you know you’re in his head,” Raiders defensive lineman Antonio Smith said.
The 49ers had the defense that was supposed to make life rough on a rookie, but it did not work out that way. Carr completed 22 of 28 passes and led consecutive 80-yard touchdown drives in the second half to lead the Raiders to the victory.
“They had guys in position, the receivers were able to get open, and he was able to pull off some plays and he had a good game,” 49ers safety Antoine Bethea said.
Said Eric Reid, “I think he did a great job of extending the play. He got outside the pocket and bought his receivers some time and then he delivered the ball. We’ve just to got to make more plays.”
