It all starts up front.
Football games are won and lost inside the trenches, with the Raiders defensive line winning the battle over the San Francisco 49ers offensive line. It was made clear that the big boys for the Silver and Black defense were ready to play from the jump, with John Jenkins sacking Trey Lance on the first play. Two plays later, Jordan Willis and Isaac Rochell combined for another sack.
"I think every player than plays on defense and every coach in our organization that's working on that side of the ball is doing everything they can every day to try to improve and get better," Head Coach Josh McDaniels said following the 34-7 victory. "That process started as soon as the season ended. Where it will ultimately lead to, I don't know but I like our effort. Our attitude every day is the right type of attitude if you want to improve and get better."
Another two sacks were contributed by Adam Butler and rookie linebacker Amari Burney. Butler celebrated his first sack in Las Vegas with a Super Saiyan celebration dance mimicking Vegeta from "Dragon Ball Z," as Butler is a self-proclaimed "huge anime guy."
"That's kind of how you feel. When you get a sack, it's an electric feeling," said Butler. "You feel like you ascend to another level of yourself, so that's why I do that celebration."
"In a preseason game, regular season, whatever – if you can affect the quarterback, that's a huge factor within a game," continued Butler. "If you can consistently affect the quarterback, that's huge. And I think we did that today."
The defense played complimentary football, with the pressure upfront leading to success in the secondary and creating turnovers. UDFA cornerback Azizi Hearn recovered a fumble that was forced by linebacker Curtis Bolton.
Cornerback Sam Webb accounted for the other turnover, catching an interception in the second-half before getting caught from behind at the two-yard line. Sincere McCormick then capitalized off Webb's interception with a two-yard touchdown catch.
"We really focused on effort, communication and discipline," said Webb. "As long as we keep those [traits] in our head going into the game and situations, then everything else takes care of itself."
If the Raiders defense continues to key in on those three traits, they'll put themselves in an advantageous position against the Los Angeles Rams offense later this week.
View photos from the Raiders' preseason matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) hands the ball off to running back Zamir White (35) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (89) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) rushes for a 1-yard touchdown during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) rushes for a 1-yard touchdown during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Justin Herron (71) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Byron Young (93) and defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Roderic Teamer (33) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Roderic Teamer (33) and cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) and defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (89) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jordan Meredith (61) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (89) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Tyler Hall (37) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett (29) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Curtis Bolton (36) and cornerback Jakorian Bennett (29) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Burney (56) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Roderic Teamer (33), cornerback Jakorian Bennett (29) and cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jaquan Johnson (26) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Cole Sr. (84) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Cole Fotheringham (85) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Cole Sr. (84) makes a 9-yard touchdown catch during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Cole Sr. (84) after making a 9-yard touchdown catch during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Cole Sr. (84) celebrates with wide receiver Tre Tucker (89) after making a 9-yard touchdown catch during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (89) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Netane Muti (54) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Justin Herron (71) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Matthew Butler (94) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (47) rushes for a 2-yard touchdown during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (47) rushes for a 2-yard touchdown during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (47) celebrates after rushing for a 2-yard touchdown during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Adam Plant (52) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Darien Butler (58) and defensive end Isaac Rochell (96) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Darien Butler (58) and cornerback Tyler Hall (37) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (42) and linebacker Darien Butler (58) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) hands the ball off to running back Sincere McCormick (47) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jordan Meredith (61) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Azizi Hearn (48) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Curtis Bolton (36) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Cole Fotheringham (85) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Cam Sims (81) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Chase Garbers (14) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) goes to kick a 46-yard field goal during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman David Agoha (62) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jaydon Grant (40) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (27) runs after intercepting a pass during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (27) runs after intercepting a pass during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (47) rushes for a 2-yard touchdown during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (47) rushes for a 2-yard touchdown during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Bryce Cosby (44) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Chase Garbers (14) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Cole Fotheringham (85) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson (83), tight end Cole Fotheringham (85), long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) and defensive end George Tarlas (79) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman David Agoha (62) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Drake Thomas (57) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Drake Thomas (57) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Kana'i Mauga (43) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Bryce Cosby (44) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Damien Williams (32) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Justin Herron (71) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Dalton Wagner (78) during the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
