San Francisco 49ers: First-take regular-season schedule predictions for 2018
By Peter Panacy
Week 9 vs. Oakland Raiders (Thursday Night Football)
The 49ers are already 1-0 versus the Oakland Raiders this season, having won the coin toss at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine for rights to the No. 9 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Booyah!
Perhaps it’s a good thing the Niners and Raiders square off on Thursday Night Football. After all, it means less travel for the visiting Raiders, usually translating into a better performance for the short week.
Both teams finished 6-10 a year ago, but the trajectories couldn’t be any more different. Oakland’s finish resulted in former head coach Jack Del Rio’s firing and subsequently being replaced by Jon Gruden. Gruden’s subsequent roster changes have fans thinking he’s reverting back to 1998 form.
One could argue the 49ers defense is a few steps ahead of that of the Raiders right now, although Oakland’s premier pass-rusher, Khalil Mack, is one of the most dominant in the game right now. If San Francisco’s pass protection negates his efforts, head coach Kyle Shanahan should get the last laugh over Gruden in this renewed Bay Area rivalry.