Raiders QB Jarret Stidham breaks team’s record for debut start

On Sunday, Las Vegas Raiders QB Jarrett Stidham broke his team’s record for the highest passing yards and touchdown passes in his debut start while facing the San Fransisco 49ers. The game, however, ended with the Raiders losing to the 49ers 37-34 in overtime.

“I didn’t feel like I had really any nerves at all this week,” Stidham said post-game. “The perspective has changed a lot over the years.”

“It’s not worth stressing over and getting all uptight, so I just wanted to go out there and play free today and try and facilitate the offense in a way to win, and we just fell short a little bit.”

The quarterback recorded 23 passes for 365 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Todd Marinovich was Las Vegas’ previous record holder, a record he broke in 1991. The only other person in NFL history posting at least three touchdowns and 350 passing yards in a first start is New York Jets QB Mike White last season.

Stidham began scoring in the first quarter by making a 24-yard pass to TE Darren Waller. He then made a 4-yard touchdown pass to WR Davante Adams in the second quarter to help the Raiders lead 17-14. In the third quarter, he had a 60-yard touchdown pass to push the lead to 24-14.

The 49ers, however, rallied in the fourth quarter to lead by seven points. Stidham’s pass to Waller helped put the pigskin close to San Fransisco’s 1-yard line. RB Josh Jacobs then scored from that spot. The game went into overtime after 49ers kicker Robert Gould failed his 41-yard field-goal attempt.

Stidham, however, faltered in this decisive moment. While the quarterback was being pushed out of bounds by opposite DE Nick Bosa, 49ers safety Tashaun Gipson made a 56-yard throw close to Las Vegas’ 7-yard line. The game concluded with a 23-yard field goal by Gould.

The 26-year-old quarterback started on the 49ers game after Las Vegas decided to bench starting QB Derek Carr for the last two games this season to provide an opportunity for Stidham. Before Sunday, Stidham had posted 32 passes — of 61 attempts — for 342 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions in 11 games.