The NFL preseason wraps up late Friday night with an exciting matchup between the San Francisco 49ers (1-1 preseason) and the Las Vegas Raiders (0-2 preseason). The 49ers began their preseason with a loss in Tennessee but rebounded by defeating the Saints at home. Meanwhile, the Raiders are on the hunt for their first preseason victory after falling short in Minnesota and losing at home to the Cowboys. Fans can look forward to kickoff at 10:00 EST from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Currently, San Francisco is favored by six points, and the total for the game sits at 35.5. NFL Network will broadcast the game live.
San Francisco’s Mixed Preseason Results
The San Francisco 49ers hold a 1-1 record in the preseason. Their initial game ended in a narrow 17-13 loss to the Titans, though they managed to cover the spread as 5.5-point underdogs. Tennessee utilized quarterback Will Levis extensively, while Brock Purdy and the starting lineup took the day off. In their subsequent game, Purdy returned and led the 49ers to a 16-10 victory over the Saints, achieving an outright win as 1.5-point underdogs. Notably, both games fell under the total points line. Purdy is anticipated to play again, but the participation of key offensive players remains uncertain.
Preseason performances have varied among quarterbacks. While stars like Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa displayed near-flawless play, Purdy struggled, completing only 2 of 6 passes and facing constant pressure. Coach Kyle Shanahan commented on Purdy’s game time, stating, “Just thought it’d be good for him to get a couple of drives in.” Following Purdy, Joshua Dobbs is expected to enter the game, bringing with him 279 passing yards across two preseason games but lacking a touchdown. Additional quarterbacks like Brandon Allen and Tanner Mordecai are also likely to see some playing time.
In terms of player availability, rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall is likely sidelined due to a minor shoulder injury. Star running back Christian McCaffrey is also out with a calf issue. In his absence, the 49ers have relied on a committee of running backs, with Matt Breida anticipated to lead the ground attack. Last week, rookie Jacob Cowing from Arizona stood out, catching four passes for 51 yards against the Saints.
Raiders Still Seeking Their First Win
The Las Vegas Raiders have struggled in their preseason, suffering losses in both of their initial games. Their first matchup resulted in a close 24-23 loss against the Vikings, where they were favored by three points. The following week, they faced a disappointing 27-12 defeat at home against the Cowboys, again falling short as 7.5-point favorites. This trend has raised concerns, especially as their top quarterbacks have participated in both contests.
Gardner Minshew has been named the starting quarterback for the upcoming season, a decision made shortly after their second preseason game. Coach Antonio Pierce explained, “A lot of things went into it. It wasn’t based off of [solely] last night. We feel like Gardner gives us the best opportunity to get off to a fast start.” Minshew has completed 16 of 33 passes for 212 yards with one touchdown. His competition for the starting role, Aidan O’Connell, has performed well, completing 21 of 29 passes for 172 yards and one touchdown with one interception. The quarterback battle is expected to continue during this game, with Anthony Brown Jr. also competing for a backup position.
In the backfield, Zamir White appears to be the frontrunner for the starting running back position, having played in both preseason matches and accumulating 46 yards on 10 carries with a touchdown. Former Viking Alexander Mattison also joins the race for the top spot. Most of the Raiders’ starters have seen action in the preseason, with the notable exception of Davante Adams, who missed the second game for the birth of his son. Wide receivers Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker are expected to participate in the upcoming game.
Preseason Betting Analysis: 49ers vs. Raiders
As the preseason finale approaches, the Raiders emerge as a more favorable betting option. The 49ers are concentrating on maintaining the health of their veteran players as they gear up for the regular season. Although Brock Purdy played in the previous game, he lacked key players like Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Deebo Samuel. Purdy’s performance raised some concerns, as he completed just 2 of 6 passes while facing relentless pressure. In contrast, Coach Pierce and the Raiders might exploit this vulnerability by sending blitzes at Purdy, who needs to demonstrate his capability without his star players. The Raiders are determined to secure a win, fielding Minshew and O’Connell for extensive playing time. With the majority of their starters participating, the Raiders aim to build momentum ahead of the season. Even if they fall short, they are likely to stay within the six-point spread.
