Featured Pick #1: What Will be the Raiders’ First Drive Outcome? (No Score)
When the schedule makers and/or TV networks decided to highlight the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders in a Week 9 matchup, they obviously didn’t anticipate the two combining for two measly wins to this point. But here we are. While there aren’t any playoff implications on the line, there are some pretty interesting storylines in the Raiders vs 49ers game.
Since taking over as head coach, Jon Gruden has undertaken a bit of a fire-sale. The old-but-new-again coach has installed a real burn-it-down-to-build-it-back-up-again plan. Trading Khalil Mack seemed suspect at the time. But given where they’re at the standings now, maybe it shouldn’t be looked at as bad in hindsight. More recently, Gruden and the Raiders made out like bandits by netting a first-round pick from Dallas in exchange for Amari Cooper. Oakland now has five first-round picks over the next two years.
Oakland does have some veteran options to go to in Cooper’s absence. Look for Jared Cook or (especially) Jordy Nelson to get involved early. They already have an established rapport with Derek Carr and will almost assuredly see an increase in targets post-Cooper trade.
Featured Pick #2: What Will be the 49ers’ First Drive Outcome? (No Score)
However, don’t expect much action early in terms of scoring. On their first drives, each team has scored two touchdowns and a field goal. The Raiders haven’t scored – at all – on their first offensive drive since Week 3. San Francisco has been better on opening drives recently, but the best bet is still on them punting.
Here’s the breakdown of the Raiders vs 49ers based on their first offensive drive thus far this season:
As far as a combined point total, don’t expect much either. Unless you happen to feel strongly one way or the other that there’s going to be a blowout. If you’re combined point total is in the 49-point neighborhood, take the under (even though the over is always more fun to root for). Barring a one-sided game, you would think getting north of 49 would put each team around 25 points for the game. The 49ers have reached that mark four times while the Readers have just twice.
Furthermore, the loser of this game has a leg up on the competition for the first overall pick come the 2019 NFL Draft.
That’s not to suggest we’re in a true tanking situation here. The nature of the sport of football almost assures that tanking doesn’t – and can’t – happen … at least in terms of the player’s participation in losing on purpose.
Whether the loser is guaranteed the top pick or not (and they’re not), both these teams desperately need to find playmakers to keep around long-term. If neither team thinks they have anything in the way of future starters than they’re already undertaking a doomed experiment. Especially considering the extent to which the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately mindset has taken hold amongst NFL owners.
For the fantasy football players out there, this might be a golden opportunity to find some cheap points on the waiver wire. There’s almost assuredly going to be a touchdown scored in this game by a player that sends much of the NFL viewing audience scurrying for Google.
Featured Pick #3: Who Will Win the Game? (Raiders)
There’s also the gambling aspect of this. (The best way to make an otherwise unwatchable game wholly relevant, right?) San Francisco is presently a three-point favorite. It’s the obligatory field goal for home-field advantage. Basically, the sports books are telling you these teams are essentially dead even. Their records would suggest the same. But if you have a hunch or like one side over the other – for any reason – this would actually be a great game to bet on.
Even down Cooper, Derek Carr enters as the best offensive player. When two teams enter a game relatively even, lots of people would land on the side of the better quarterback.
But for what it’s worth, San Francisco probably goes in a bit more motivated. Simply because, from the top down, the organization feels like it’s ahead of where Oakland is in terms of a timeline to compete. The Jimmy Garoppolo injury was as devastating to the ‘Niners as any team has dealt with this season. They weren’t especially impressive before Garoppolo went out, but you’d assume they want to be ready to compete for a playoff spot once their franchise QB comes back.
While the two southern California teams (the Rams and Chargers) position themselves for possible Super Bowl runs, Cali’s two northern teams are in a race to the bottom. That’s sort of crazy juxtaposition. Especially considering it wasn’t all that long ago San Francisco and Oakland were really competitive and Los Angeles didn’t have a team. That’s the NFL for you, though. Things can change on a dime. While it might not do much for them this year, one good showing in this game by either side may be just what they need to put their organization on the solid footing they’ll need to succeed in the future.
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