49ers vs. Raiders: Live San Francisco Score and Analysis

Just over a week removed from their tough 19-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the San Francisco 49ers looked to get back on track versus the 1-11 Oakland Raiders in Week 14 at O.co Coliseum.

Entering the contest with a 7-5 record, San Francisco sat as the No. 8 seed in the NFC—one game behind the Seahawks and Detroit Lions, who are also vying for a playoff berth. This position placed an emphasis on the 49ers' need to essentially win out if they wanted to be playing in January.

This road went through Oakland.

On top of the matchup, San Francisco looked to silence the buzz that came to a head following its Week 13 loss. Whether it was the lack of production on offense, quarterback Colin Kaepernick's progression or head coach Jim Harbaugh's future in 2015, the 49ers had plenty of questions needing answers.

The Raiders—who ranked toward the bottom in nearly every offensive and defensive category—could have provided the soft landing spot San Francisco needed.

The 49ers wanted this game for their playoff chances. The Raiders would have loved nothing more than to spoil the party and help thwart San Francisco's postseason prospects.

Would the 49ers knock off an inferior opponent? Or would they play down to the level of competition and suffer another embarrassing defeat?

Things didn't start off well for San Francisco. Kaepernick was picked on the 49ers' first offensive play, in which the Raiders were able to follow up with an early field goal. Yet San Francisco was able to answer back with an eight-yard touchdown reception by fullback Bruce Miller.

Yet the Raiders answered back thanks to a three-yard touchdown pass to an eligible O-lineman Donald Penn. 

The 49ers rounded out the first half with a late field goal from Phil Dawson that tied things up. They added another to start off the second-half scoring.

Oakland answered back on the subsequent drive thanks to a nine-yard touchdown reception to fullback Marcel Reece, which put the Raiders back on top. Quarterback Derek Carr then engineered another touchdown drive, connecting with wideout Mychal Rivera for a five-yard touchdown score.

San Francisco lacked any sort of urgency late in the fourth quarter. Trailing by 11 points, Kaepernick was picked off by veteran defensive back Charles Woodson, which all but sealed San Francisco's fate in the game and on the year.

And on the final play, Kaepernick was sacked—a symbolic end to what was an overly dull San Francisco showing.

FINAL: 49ers 13, Raiders 24

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and ESPN.com unless otherwise indicated.

Peter Panacy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report, covering the San Francisco 49ers. Be sure to check out his entire archive on 49ers news, insight and analysis.

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