The San Francisco 49ers (1-1) travel to face the Las Vegas Raiders (1-1) in the preseason finale for both teams on Friday, Aug. 28, with roster spots and a possible quarterback decision on the line.
The San Francisco 49ers (1-1) and Las Vegas Raiders (1-1) meet in their preseason finale on Friday, Aug. 28 at Allegiant Stadium. Both teams are coming off wins — the 49ers routed the Chargers 41-17, while the Raiders edged the Texans 22-20 — and both have key questions to answer before roster cuts. The 49ers are dealing with injuries to key starters, while the Raiders still haven’t named a starting quarterback. Expect a competitive game with backups fighting for jobs, but the 49ers’ depth and special teams edge may give them a slight advantage.
San Francisco 49ers: Momentum and Injury Concerns
The 49ers bounced back from an opening loss with a dominant 41-17 win over the Chargers, highlighted by Jacob Cowing’s 83-yard punt return touchdown. Sincere McCormick added 53 rushing yards and a score, and Mac Jones threw for 89 yards. However, the team is monitoring injuries to key players: George Kittle is out, Christian McCaffrey is questionable, and Patrick Taylor Jr. is on injured reserve. Head coach Kyle Shanahan downplayed McCaffrey’s absence, citing caution. The return game got a spark from Cowing, and the defense showed playmaking ability with Tatum Bethune’s six tackles and Junior Colson’s pick-six. With roster cuts looming, this game is a final audition for bubble players.
Las Vegas Raiders: Quarterback Battle Unsettled
The Raiders also improved to 1-1 with a 22-20 win over Houston, but the quarterback competition remains open. Aidan O’Connell completed 15 of 24 passes for 166 yards and led the comeback, while rookie Fernando Mendoza threw a pick-six and struggled. Coach Klint Kubiak said he’s not ready to name a Week 1 starter, emphasizing that no one should be comfortable. Mike Washington Jr. ran for 56 yards on nine carries, and Brandon Johnson led the receivers with 41 yards. The Raiders’ defense got a sack from Patrick Johnson and seven tackles from Tristin McCollum. Injuries are a concern: Jayden Higgins is doubtful, and several others are questionable. The preseason finale offers a chance for Mendoza to rebound and for the coaching staff to evaluate the roster.
Head-to-Head: Roster Battles and X-Factors
Both teams have identical 1-1 records, but their paths differ. The 49ers have more established stars, even with injuries, while the Raiders are still sorting out their QB situation. Special teams could be a factor, as Cowing’s punt return showed the 49ers’ explosiveness. The Raiders’ ground game with Washington and Dylan Laube could test the 49ers’ run defense. Key matchups to watch:
- 49ers’ return game vs. Raiders’ coverage units
- Raiders’ offensive line vs. 49ers’ pass rush
- Backup quarterbacks: Mac Jones vs. Aidan O’Connell/Fernando Mendoza
- Roster bubble players making final impressions
Prediction
With both teams treating this as a preseason finale, expect a close game but the 49ers’ depth and special teams edge could be decisive. The Raiders’ quarterback uncertainty may limit their offensive consistency. Prediction: 49ers win 24-20.
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