Oakland Raiders at San Francisco 49ers
Saturday, 8/20/11, 8:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: San Francisco -4
Current Betting Line: San Francisco -3
Opening Total: 34
Current Total: 34
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Oakland dropped its preseason opener to the Arizona Cardinals, 24-18, last week and camp has now turned its focus on gaining revenge from two losses against San Francisco a year ago. The Raiders were handed a 28-24 home loss by the 49ers in Week 3 of the exhibition season in 2010, while also falling 17-9 on the road on Oct. 17 during the regular season. “They are a very powerful football team and I think they have some very good talent,” commented Raiders first-year head coach Hue Jackson. “They have a very formidable defensive front and I think just playing the game against the Niners is going to be a very good test for our football team.” Oakland is 8-19 ATS during the preseason against NFC West division opponents.
The Raiders offense has been working hard on improving their after being held to one touchdown and four field goals a week ago. Quarterback Jason Campbell performed well in completing 6-of-9 passes for 66 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown to new tight end Kevin Boss, who came over from the New York Giants. The coaches have placed a priority on focusing on the defensive end during practice this week, as the secondary was torched for 297 passing yards by the Cardinals. Many experts believe its a direct result of learning how to play without departed All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. A few key players will sit out this contest, including running back Darren McFadden and wide receiver Jacoby Ford.
San Francisco looks to bounce back from a 24-3 road loss to the New Orleans Saints and extend its winning streak over Oakland to three games. The 49ers also will be under the direction of a first-year head coach this year, as Jim Harbaugh comes over after a four-year stint at Stanford. He has been busy addressing the quarterback position on the roster this week, signing Josh McCown to a one-year contract to serve as the backup to Alex Smith. “It’s an ongoing thing. Having a third quarterback is something we would like to have,” Harbaugh commented this week. San Francisco drafted Nevada signal-caller Colin Kaepernick in this year’s draft to be the future leader of the franchise.
The 49ers managed just 234 total yards of offense last week, as the Saints pass rush bulldozed over the offensive line in amassing six sacks. Smith was unimpressive throughout and connected on only 2-of-7 passes for 10 yards. Kaepernick showed that he’s a long way from starting in this league, completing just 9-of-19 pass attempts and throwing two interceptions. Defensively, San Francisco got off to a good start in the secondary, after finishing 24th in the league a year ago in pass defense. Free agency signees Donte Whitner and Madieu Williams forced the prolific Saints’ offense into three and outs on the first three series.
Bettors will be interested in backing the Raiders due to their 3-1 ATS mark as road underdogs of three points or less in the preseason, while the 49ers are 1-3 ATS versus AFC West opponents.
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