49ers linebackers captain the most chaotic quarter of the season against Raiders

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw celebrates after recovering a fumble against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (Justine Willard/AP Photo/Justine Willard) So much was made out of the players the 49erswere getting back on defense for Sunday's matchup, and eventual 38-17 win against the Raiders, but it was San Francisco's stalwart linebacking core who were the stars of the show, at least on that side of the ball.The three-man unit of Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw and Jaden Dugger has missed just one game this season after nine weeks, a far cry from the 47 games missed by the Niners' defensive line or the 34 games missed by Niners receivers. Unlike those other two groups, the singular absence was self-inflicted, not due to injury, with Greenlaw serving a one-game suspension on Oct. 19 for headbutting a Seahawks player on the sideline.Perhaps it was that consistent playing time that helped them dominate their visiting former Bay Area rivals. On the first snap of the second half, Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins tried to keep alive a play that began with a fumble on a fake handoff when he scooped up the ball and tried to throw it out wide to his right. Dugger briefly left his assignment when he saw the loose ball but then quickly returned to his coverage against wide receiver Tre Tucker, jumped the route and took the first interception of his career to the end zone for a pick-six.49ers PICK-6 🗣️ LVvsSF on FOX/FOX One Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/WzFsbaFdGL- NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2026What followed that comedy of errors was arguably the most chaotic single quarter of the season. Cousins corrected his mistake immediately, going seven-for-seven on the Raiders' next drive that marched his team in for a touchdown. Three plays later, Niners quarterback Brock Purdy responded with an interception. Then, as if to tease what was to come, Cousins nearly returned the favor with a throw that was almost picked off by defensive tackle Gracen Halton.Warner must have seen that his opponents were just itching to give the ball away, so he obliged them. He hunted down Bowers in the open field and punched the ball out of the Las Vegas tight end's hands. The loose ball made its way to Dre Greenlaw to complete the linebacker turnover trifecta. If there was any doubt regarding Warner's greatness, consider the fact that at 30 years old, he's somehow still reaching uncharted territory for his career. That turnover was the fifth forced fumble of the season, a career high for the four-time first-team All-Pro. The linebacker's penchant for punch-outs were even the subject of a brief broadcast segment that highlighted the scars he's built up on his hands from all his forced fumble attempts throughout his career.Fred Warner has scars from all his forced fumble punches!! https://t.co/Fou5NxAqDz- OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) November 8, 2026Of course, the chaos wasn't over. The Niners gave the ball right back to the Raiders four plays later off a turnover on downs where Las Vegas stuffed a Purdy sneak attempt.This time, it seemed like the Raiders would finally capitalize on their takeaway. Cousins connected with tight end Michael Mayer, who got all the way down to the 1-yard line before Upton Stout did his best Warner impression and punched the ball out - although he connected with more forearm than fist - which Warner recovered for a touchback, and the Niners offense finally took advantage of with an 80-yard touchdown drive.Things seemed to settle down to normalcy. On their next possession, the Raiders's offense looked energized. They marched down the field all the way to the 1-yard line after Ji'Ayir Brown made a touchdown-saving tackle by shoving Brock Bowers out of bounds just before the goal line. But when Cousins tried to punch in a touchdown with a QB sneak of his own, he found the same amount of success as his counterpart on the Niners. The reason? Warner had jumped over the offensive line with perfect timing to stonewall the Raiders quarterback, forcing Cousins to fall backward.Fred Warner https://t.co/dT0tuXxRwL- Alex Tran (@nineralex) November 8, 2026Clearly there was still some leftover chaos in the air. It lingered over the next three plays with a negative Raiders run, an offensive pass interference penalty wiping away a touchdown and then an interception.When all was said and done, the team would get one more pick, bringing the turnover total to five in the second half, including four on back-to-back-to-back-to-back drives. But by the time the last interception happened, the insanity of the third quarter made the turnover almost feel run-of-the-mill. For a defense that just suffered another injury blow to its lineup, big plays becoming ordinary is just what they need.More 49ers- NFL says Fred Warner isn't actually on verge of suspension- The 49ers are 6-0, and the computers say it'll only get worse for everyone else- 49ers reporter accused of 'hugging' players in locker room- How a Bay Area high school landed 2 ex-49ers stars as coachesFor all of our Bay Area sports coverage, sign up for The Catch newsletter here.This article originally published at 49ers linebackers captain the most chaotic quarter of the season against Raiders.