49ers vs. Raiders Prediction, Odds and Picks for Aug. 27: Las Vegas Gets the W at Home
The Las Vegas Raiders will host the San Francisco 49ers in the last preseason game for each team. In this Raiders vs. 49ers prediction, we will lay out the latest odds and our picks for the non-conference clash.
The 49ers are 1-1 in the preseason, losing their first game and laying a 41-17 beatdown on the L.A. Chargers in their last one. The Raiders are also 1-1 in the preseason with a 22-20 win over the Houston Texans in their last game.
DraftKings Sportsbook is listing the Raiders as 3.5-point favorites with a total of 37.5.
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While there were quite a few starters that saw action for the 49ers in their last preseason game, that will not be the case this game.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan stated, "I don't think you'll see many starters. We don't have as much time as we usually do. I'll be surprised if any of them are out there. There might be a couple, but it'll be closer to how Week 1 was."
Not only are the 49ers battling several injuries to starters, but they also have less time to prepare than other teams. They open the season on Thursday, Sept. 10, in their opener in Melbourne, Australia. While the NFL keeps wanting to expand to other cities around the world to become more popular in international markets, the teams playing are not happy with longer travel times, especially the 49ers heading Down Under.
It remains to be seen if backup Mac Jones will play, but third-stringer Adrian Martinez will likely get the most reps against the Raiders, and in the last game, he passed for 57 yards with two picks and a TD.
While the starters will not play, the biggest spotlight will be on the running back position. Rookie Kaelon Black and second-year back Jordan James are battling it out to be the No. 2 RB behind Christian McCaffrey. Both have dealt with injuries. Black rushed for 33 yards in the last game, and James has not played in the preseason but should play against the Raiders. Look for San Fran to run early and often to get a beat on who the backup will be.
While playing mostly backups in the win over the Chargers in their last game, they looked impressive on defense, only allowing 229 total yards and 68 rushing yards.
Kubiak Has Not Named a Starting QB
New Las Vegas head coach Klint Kubiak has not named a starting QB for Week 1, with Kirk Cousins battling with rookie and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. Cousins has only played one drive in the preseason, and in the last game, Mendoza played the whole first half, going 8-for-15 for 86 yards with an interception and no TDs.
Cousins is still listed at the top of the depth chart for the San Fran game, but it remains to be seen if he will see any action. Aidan O'Connell passed for 166 yards in the second half of the last game and scored on a rushing TD.
The Raiders got a scare last Sunday when No. 1 RB Ashton Jeanty injured his ankle and will not play against the 49ers. The team is hopeful he can go for Week 1.
Rookie RB Mike Washington Jr. has been impressive in the two preseason games, totaling 119 rushing yards on 15 carries. However, he may not play; if Jeanty cannot go to start the season, the rookie may be thrust into starting duties.
Like the 49ers, the Raiders will not start many players in this game.
In their 22-20 win over the Texans in their last game, they won by only two points despite outgaining them 400 yards to 219 yards. They forced two turnovers and held Houston to only 78 rushing yards.
49ers vs. Raiders Prediction
Raiders to cover – DraftKings, -3.5
The Raiders are the pick in this preseason finale, and the main reason I am leaning there is QB play. Mendoza has shown some flashes in the preseason, and O’Connell has been pretty good and has starting QB experience. Both teams will feature mostly players trying to make the roster, but at home and with better QB play, Las Vegas is the pick.
Over 37.5 points – DraftKings, -108
The total went Over for both teams last game, and that is the pick I am leaning toward here. While both teams will look at backup running backs often, they will air it out, especially Mendoza, who is battling to be the starting QB. This game will not be a barnburner, but with a low total and two teams that combined for 63 points in the last game, the Over is the solid pick.
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