Even if it’s just a preseason matchup, the Las Vegas Raiders are taking on the San Francisco 49ers as the Bay Area classic returns on the eve of another NFL year.
The 49ers and (then Oakland) Raiders were bitter rivals since the beginning of their existence. With only a bridge separating the two and their diehard fanbases, the rivalry has created memorable battles. Historically, these games have not been the safest for fans, as tensions usually escalate. Fans will eagerly anticipate this game, despite it being preseason.
In 2023, a tragic event took place between the two fanbases, where two individuals representing their respective teams were stabbed. This exemplifies the magnitude of wearing an opposing jersey. The biggest celebrities in California constantly represent their favorite team in a rivalry. For the Raiders, names such as Ice Cube, Guy Fieri, and Jessica Alba all consistently side with the team. The 49ers, on the other hand, have names like E-40 and Lil John.
A Historic Rivalry: Raiders vs. 49ers
On this occasion, the Raiders are coming off of a dominant win where they came out victorious in 2023. In this game, the Raiders were never trailing and sailed to finish the game 34-7. Consequently, the two will compete again in Las Vegas during a similar time period. Will it have the same end result as their last contest?
In their history, there have only been 15 contests, and their record is tightly contested. Currently, the 49ers have a one-game lead ahead of the Raiders. This permits the Raiders to tie up the series 8-8 this week.
What To Expect In This Game
Because it is the last preseason game, it is likely that many starters will not be participating. Firstly, the 49ers have had a fantastic performance from their backup quarterback, Joshua Dobbs. He will assuredly see an immense amount of playing time, increasing his value.
Star pass catchers for San Francisco include Jacob Cowing, Cameron Latu, and Trent Taylor. After excluding the starters, these will be their key players in preseason. With the team having a successful defensive scheme, the team will likely play well on this side as well.
In comparison, the Raiders have just decided that Gardner Minshew will be the starting quarterback to begin the regular season. The Raiders’ other gunslinger, Aidan O’Connell, will not be playing, which is interesting as the young quarterback could use the extra reps.
Defensively, the Raiders were not pleasing to watch in their last preseason matchup. The Cowboys’ running backs were highly productive, as the run defense was underwhelming. This may be the first game without star defenders Maxx Crosby and Robert Spillane.
*Top Photo: Getty Images