The Bay Area battle between the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers takes place for the last time before the silver and black move to Las Vegas, but there’s a bit more than local pride on stake.
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2pts Oakland Raiders to win at 5/4
The season is effectively over for both teams with the 49ers (1-7) and the Raiders (1-6) doing battle with the New York Giants for the first pick of the 2019 draft already.
Neither team will want to lose this one though with local pride a big thing in just the 14th meeting between two neighbours, and about all they have left to play for this season.
"I know it means a lot to our fans," said Raiders quarterback Derek Carr. "I know it means a lot to everybody. So of course we want to go out and win this game.
“That's every week. But we know how much it means to our fans and how excited they get for it. We're aware of that, but it doesn't change anything for us. We have to go out and just play well."
Carr is one of just three quarterbacks with 2,000 passing yards and a 70 percent completion rate in the league, but his eight interceptions against just 10 touchdowns and 17 sacks shows that his and his offensive line’s play has cost Oakland dear.
Carr did step up his performance in Sunday’s defeat to Indianapolis though, and compared to the mess of a situation in San Francisco Oakland will feel relatively happy with their offensive game going into the short trip to Levi’s Stadium.
The season pretty much ended for San Fran when QB Jimmy Garoppolo went down in week three, but now back-up CJ Beathard is also doubtful with thumb and wrist problems meaning Nick Mullens could take his first NFL snap on Thursday.
With their QB situation up in the air, much will depend on the health of 49ers running back Matt Breida as Oakland rank last in rush defence.
It’s tough to call games between two bad teams, and the lack of quality shows when the availability of a QB like Bearthard makes such a huge difference to the outcome.
Given the Niners are favourites, mainly due to being at home, it may pay to side with the visitors given their improved attacking display and the numbers Carr has produced of late. Fewer mistakes and a big game from tight end Jared Cook should get the job done.
Prediction: Oakland Raiders to win at 5/4
Touchdowns: Jared Cook anytime TD scorer at 13/8
RequestABet: Raiders win, under 49.5 pts, Cook over 4.5 receptions & Jordy Nelson TD
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