Game day is finally here as the Las Vegas Raiders make their return to the Bay Area for the first time since leaving after the 2019 NFL season. The Silver and Black are back where they truly belong, but they don't have an easy foe on the other sideline, with the 6-1 San Francisco 49ers hosting them.
Klint Kubiak's team has yet to beat an upper-echelon opponent, but they've competed with some of the best teams in the AFC. Now, the best team in the NFC is on the docket, and the result of this game could have a significant impact on what John Spytek does at the Tuesday trade deadline.
Before we get there, though, let's lock back in on this Battle of the Bay and go through everything that you need to know, from the biggest headlines to expert predictions to injury reports. Use the table of contents below for easy navigation.
- How to watch Raiders vs. 49ers in Week 9
- Raiders injury report for Week 9
- 49ers injury report for Week 9
- Biggest Raiders storylines heading into Week 9
- Expert predictions for Raiders vs. 49ers in Week 9
How to watch Raiders vs. 49ers in Week 9
- Date:Â Sunday, Nov. 8
- Time:Â 1:25 p.m. PT
- TV Network:Â FOX
- Announcers:Â Kevin Kugler (Play-by-play), Daryl Johnston (Analyst), Allison Williams (Sideline reporter)
After a trip to the East Coast and playing in an early-window game in Week 8, the Raiders are back to playing in the afternoon. As has been the case in the last few weeks, this contest will be broadcast from Levi's Stadium on FOX, albeit with a different commentating crew than the last few weeks.
Raiders injury report for Week 9
Player | Position | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Thomas Booker IV | DT | Ankle | OUT |
Darien Porter | CB | Groin | Questionable |
Dylan Laube | RB/RS | Illness | - |
Dont'e Thornton Jr. | WR | Back | - |
Foley Fatukasi | DT | Shoulder | - |
Ian Thomas | TE | Ankle | - |
Booker IV being out makes the defensive tackle rotation a bit thinner, but Tim Keenan III was elevated from the practice squad for the third straight week for reinforcements. Porter seems to be a game-time decision, so it is unknown if he, Jermod McCoy or Zeke Masses will be out there on the first play.
Laube was added to the injury report on Saturday with an illness, but his game status did not change, so he should be good to go, perhaps at less than 100 percent. Thornton Jr. also popped up with an injury on Thursday, but he has no designation. He is not guaranteed to be active, though.
Fatukasi and Thomas have been dealing with injuries for weeks, but they have played every Sunday and do not have any designation for Week 9, either. Tonka Hemingway is off the injury report entirely after suffering a stinger in Week 8 and missing a practice earlier in the week.
49ers injury report for Week 9
Player | Position | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Mike Evans | WR | Ribs/Achilles | OUT |
Christian Kirk | WR | Knee | OUT (Placed on IR) |
Deebo Samuel | WR | Hamstring | OUT |
Demarcus Robinson | WR | Ankle | Questionable |
Nate Hobbs | CB | Adductor | Questionable |
Upton Stout | SCB | Shoulder | Questionable |
Siran Neal | SAF | Knee/Foot | Questionable |
Christian McCaffrey | RB | Hamstring | - |
Nick Bosa | DE | Knee/Calf | - |
Marques Sigle | SAF | Ankle | - |
San Francisco not having Evans, in particular, is rough for their offense. Brock Purdy and Co. really rely on him to make plays, so they'll have to look the other way on Sunday. But Samuel is also out, and Kirk hurt his knee earlier this week and was placed on IR, so they're down three wideouts.
It does seem like the 49ers will get Robinson back for Week 9, but that's hardly an even trade-off. George Kittle and McCaffrey are great weapons in the receiving game, but the less Rob Leonard and his group have to worry about, the better.
Our old friend Nate Hobbs has not been activated yet, so it is unlikely that he'll get to face his former team. Stout is a key contributor in the secondary and seems to be a game-time decision, while Neal, who is mainly a special-teamer, is in the same boat.
Bosa and Sigle returning for Raheem Morris' defense is also big, as they are two key starters who have missed the last few weeks. And let us not forget that the 49ers also added DeForest Buckner to their roster since the last time they played, so they have injuries, but they also called in some backup.
Biggest Raiders storylines heading into Week 9
What will the Raiders' splits and usage look like at RB?
Last week, Kubiak flipped the switch in the backfield and had Mike Washington Jr. dominate the carry share instead of Ashton Jeanty. The latter was still used plenty in the passing game and made an impact, but it'll be interesting to see if Week 8 was the exception or may soon become the rule.
Kubiak has said that both players will be involved and that he needs both of them, and Dylan Laube, to win Sunday's matchup. But the splits and usage between Washington Jr. and Jeanty will be something to watch once again, and it will perhaps tell us what last weekend was all about.
Will Las Vegas defense put up a fight against elite 49ers offense?
Rob Leonard's defense gave up 33 points to the Jets last week. Even without Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel or Christian Kirk, this 49ers offense is a completely different beast with Purdy, McCaffrey and Kittle, and Kyle Shanahan at the helm may be the scariest part.
While San Francisco has a great defense, Kubiak's offense can be trusted to put up points. But if the Raiders are going to give up nearly 40 points in this one, they'll have no chance. The 49ers have a great rushing and passing attack, take care of the ball and block well. This will be incredibly tough.
Can Raider Nation show up and make this a home game?
For those Bay Area Raiders fans who are unwilling or unable to travel to watch their team play, this is their opportunity to support the Silver and Black in person. And I hope with everything in me that those who can go to the game will attend and be loud and proud about their fandom.
In New York, Raider Nation took over the stadium and made an impact, forcing the Jets into penalties and generally making life difficult for them. It rarely gets that way for the Raiders in Las Vegas, so hopefully they can do it in Santa Clara.
Expert predictions for Raiders vs. 49ers in Week 9
ESPN Experts
Dan Graziano - 49ers
Kalyn Kahler - 49ers
Jeremy Fowler - 49ers
Lindsey Thiry - 49ers
Seth Wickersham - 49ers
Pamela Maldonado - 49ers
Ben Solak - 49ers
Jason Reid - 49ers
Matt Bowen - 49ers
Mike Clay - 49ers
Eric Moody - 49ers
NFL Media
Bucky Brooks - 49ers
Tom Grossi - 49ers
Dan Parr - 49ers
Brandon Perna - 49ers
Kevin Patra - 49ers
Grant Gordon - 49ers
Colleen Wolfe - 49ers
Brooke Cersosimo - 49ers
Lance Zierlein - 49ers
Nick Shook - 49ers
Bleacher Report
Gary Davenport - Raiders
Wes O'Donnell - Raiders
Brett Sobleski - Raiders
Ian Hanford - Raiders
Brad Gagnon - 49ers
Kristopher Knox - 49ers
Moe Moton - 49ers
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