Five takeaways in one half, and the 49ers never sacked Kirk Cousins

San Francisco beat Las Vegas 38-17 at Levi's Stadium on Sunday and is 7-1, and 5-0 at home for the first time since 1998, per the club's game notes. It led 21-10 at halftime after touchdowns on its first three possessions. Then Las Vegas had the ball six times in the second half, and five of those possessions ended with a 49er holding it. It was 38-17 with 5:21 left. The 49ers play at Dallas next Sunday at 1:25 p.m. Pacific.

1. Five takeaways, no sacks, and the pressure was on the throws that mattered#

The official game book credits San Francisco with no sacks for the second straight game, and with six quarterback hits: two each for Osa Odighizuwa and DeForest Buckner, one each for Keion White and Romello Height. Two of those hits came on throws that were intercepted. Odighizuwa got to Kirk Cousins on the second-and-13 throw that Renardo Green caught in the end zone, and Buckner got to him on the fourth-and-11 throw Malik Mustapha caught at the 27.

Two more takeaways were punched out. Fred Warner punched it from Brock Bowers at the 26 and Dre Greenlaw recovered. Upton Stout punched it from Michael Mayer at the 1, and Warner fell on it in the end zone for a touchback. Las Vegas reached the San Francisco 13 or closer on three second-half possessions, twice getting as far as the 1, and came away with one touchdown, on the drive between Dugger's return and Warner's first forced fumble. Seven points. That was the half.

The club's notes list it as the first five-takeaway game by the 49ers since 2014. Warner's forced fumble was his fifth of the season and 22nd of his career, the most by a 49er since the league began counting them in 1994.

2. Jaden Dugger played 12 defensive snaps and scored on one of them#

With Greenlaw back on 49 of the 50 defensive snaps, Dugger played 12, or 24 percent, plus 14 on special teams. On the first play of the second half, Cousins fumbled the exchange, picked it up and threw late toward Tre Tucker anyway. Dugger caught it at the Las Vegas 35 and ran it back for a 28-10 lead. It was his first NFL interception. The club's notes say no 49ers rookie had returned one for a touchdown since Javon Kinlaw in 2020.

The snap count is the roster fact. Dugger played 64 defensive snaps against Washington on Oct. 19, 31 at Atlanta with Greenlaw back, and 12 on Sunday. He scored on one of the 12.

3. Gracen Halton's season is over#

Halton was hurt on a third-down throw to Ashton Jeanty with 4:03 left, his 18th defensive snap. The bench came onto the field as he was carted off. "Probably the end of the season for Gracen?" Shanahan was asked. "Yes." He broke his ankle.

"He's played at a very high level as a rookie," Shanahan said. "He's had an awesome seven or eight games here."

Before Sunday, Halton had two sacks and a defensive touchdown. Sebastian Valdez played 10 snaps and James Thompson Jr. eight. Shanahan said he likes the depth on the line, and that the club is "always looking to upgrade" until Tuesday's 1 p.m. trade deadline.

4. Bosa and Buckner started together, and the hits came from Buckner#

Nick Bosa started in his first game since Sept. 20 and played 39 of 50 snaps, 78 percent. His one tackle was a 4-yard loss on a Mayer catch in the second quarter, and the book charges him with no quarterback hit. Buckner, in his first game for San Francisco since the 2019 season, started beside him and played 34 snaps, 68 percent. Bosa got the tackle. Buckner got the hits. Asked whether Bosa showed rust, Shanahan said he "didn't get to see much" and would know from the tape.

5. Jordan Watkins was targeted four times and caught four#

Four for four. Watkins started and played 56 of 73 offensive snaps, 77 percent, the most of any wide receiver. He caught four passes for 86 yards, a career high per the club, and his first NFL touchdown: a 37-yard catch on third-and-3 late in the third quarter for a 35-17 lead. Shanahan called it "a huge step forward" and said "the ball went his way more this game." Demarcus Robinson, back off injured reserve, played 37 snaps and caught three of four targets for 22 yards. Brandin Cooks played 32.

6. Forty-three runs, no punts#

San Francisco ran 43 times for 190 yards, its most carries since 45 against Seattle in 2022, per the club. Christian McCaffrey had 18 carries for 68 yards on 50 snaps. Kaelon Black had 11 for 70 on 18. Purdy ran seven times for 40 yards and a touchdown. The first three drives went 69, 89 and 84 yards, 37 plays in all, and the 49ers did not punt. "I think we had one punt or maybe none," Shanahan said. "No punts."

Las Vegas ran 15 times. It gained 24 yards, 1.6 a carry, the fewest rushing yards against San Francisco since 2015, per the club. Las Vegas trailed 14-0 after one quarter, and Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said his team was "in position to throw the ball every down starting in the second quarter."

7. One 12-yard catch, two numbers#

McCaffrey's 12-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter was the 37th of his career, one more than Marshall Faulk and the most by a running back in the Super Bowl era, per the club's notes. It was also Purdy's 100th career touchdown pass. Purdy got there in his 57th game. Frankie Albert, next on the club's list, needed 65.

8. Two cornerbacks did not return#

Green hurt his back on the end-zone interception and did not return; Ephesians Prysock replaced him and played seven snaps. Deommodore Lenoir left late with a foot injury. "We're not sure when it's a back and a foot," Shanahan said. "We've got to find out more tomorrow." He said Nate Hobbs, on injured reserve, had a good week of practice and "should be ready."

Sources: NFL official game book (lineups, play-by-play, final defensive statistics, playtime percentage); ESPN box score; Kyle Shanahan's and Klint Kubiak's postgame press conferences, club transcripts via 49ers Webzone; 49ers communications game notes via 49ers Webzone.