On Saturday, one of the most strenuous rivalries will continue again with the Las Vegas Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers. Fans of both teams will undoubtedly be anticipating the match, despite the fact that it is a preseason game. Tension is mounting following a joint practice set for Thursday at the Raiders’ headquarters. Both teams have faced challenges so far, as neither secured a victory in their preseason opener.
For the Red and Gold, head coach Kyle Shanahan decided not to play most of the starters last week. On the other hand, only a handful of starters did not play for Sin City. Because the regular season is approaching, the number of starters in this game will be minimal as well. Both teams have ties to the San Francisco Bay Area and want to win this contest.
Cam Miller vs. Aidan O’Connell: Who wins the QB2 battle?
Obviously, Week 1 of the preseason was forgettable for O’Connell. He threw two horrendous interceptions and only finished with one passing touchdown. The Purdue alum will want to showcase his ability to overcome adversity due to this situation. He recorded a 63.9 QBR, while his backup, Cam Miller, achieved a significantly higher 151.5 QBR.
The rookie Cam Miller delivers a TD to Shedrick Jackson after the pump fake
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After this game rumors erupted, and fans began to think Miller was the better player. He added a spark to this offense and led a comeback to tie the game. The second quarterback is a position of question at this point. Miller will probably see increased reps in this matchup.
Mac Jones vs. Carter Bradley: Will the former Raiders player impress?
A familiar face enters Allegiant Stadium on Saturday. Bradley, an undrafted free agent, spent most of his NFL tenure on the Raiders practice squad. In addition, Ameer Abdullah is also a former Raider playing for the team’s archnemesis.
Bradley had a forgettable performance in his 2025 debut. He averaged two yards per pass and finished with a 42.9 completion percentage. However, his strongest competition, Mac Jones, did not have an impressive performance either.
Besides the first drive, Jones led the team to a three-and-out and then an interception. Week 2 is an opportunity for both players to redeem themselves. Saturday’s matchup at Allegiant Stadium promises to be intense, with even more passionate interactions among the fans.
Related: Checking In With New Raiders DB Terrell Edmunds
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images