The battle of unbeatens by the Bay will take place on Saturday when the San Francisco 49ers (2-0) visit the Oakland Raiders (2-0). Both teams have covered their last three games dating back to last season and are hoping to parlay a winning preseason into a successful regular season. The Raiders opened at -2.5 by the NFL odds makers but have since been bet down to -1 against the 49ers.
Last year, San Francisco edged Oakland 21-20 thanks to an 18-point fourth quarter. The Raiders led 14-3 heading into the fourth behind touchdown passes from quarterbacks JaMarcus Russell and Bruce Gradkowski. Former starter Russell is no longer with the team after he was released in the offseason while reserve Gradkowski is out due to injury. Their replacements Jason Campbell and Kyle Boller have been the difference this year during the team’s unbeaten start.
Campbell will make his first home start in front of Raider Nation after winning the first two games on the road. He looked impressive in a 32-17 win over the Bears last week, completing 10-of-20 passes for 170 yards and scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run. Campbell also led two other scoring drives that led to a pair of 43-yard field goals by kicker Sebastian Janikowski.
Boller was also sharp in relief of Campbell, connecting on 7-of-9 passes for 55 yards one week after going 12-of-21 for 148 and a touchdown in a 17-9 at Dallas. The combination of running backs Michael Bush and Michael Bennett has done some damage on the ground as well, combining for 189 yards on 42 carries in the two games. Oakland will get another boost on Saturday with the return of Darren McFadden, who has sat out so far with a hamstring injury. McFadden is expected to start for the Raiders and will need a good performance to hold off Bush for the top job heading in the regular-season opener at Tennessee.
The 49ers are expected to get their lead runner back too with Frank Gore likely seeing his first action of the preseason. Gore has not played in the first two games and was one of three offensive stars for San Francisco who sat out last week’s 15-10 win over the Vikings. Newly-signed free agent Brian Westbrook will make his debut as well in hopes of giving the team some more depth at running back and possibly serving as Gore’s backup.
Starting wide receiver Michael Crabtree (neck) and tight end Vernon Davis (knee) have also missed time but could play vs. Oakland despite injuries in order to give quarterback Alex Smith some added weapons. Smith is already playing behind an offensive line featuring two rookie starters in Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis and could use all the help he can get right now.
San Francisco has played well defensively in the preseason, yielding three touchdowns, including just one through the air. Linebacker Patrick Willis put Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre on his back on his third play since returning from yet another premature retirement and should set the tone for the 49ers again this year, following the lead of head coach Mike Singletary.
For the NFL Free Pick take the 49ers +1 tonight.
