The San Francisco 49ers will look to extend their current eight game win streak when they face the Las Vegas Raiders on New Year’s Day at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
San Francisco could move into the second seed in the NFC playoffs with a win and loss by Minnesota to Green Bay.
The Raiders appear to have begun preparations for 2023. Out of the playoff race with a 6-9 record, Las Vegas sent starting quarterback Derek Carr home for the remainder of the year. In a pair of their top defenders were placed on season ending injured reserve this week.
Here are five things to watch for during the game on Sunday afternoon.
1.) Will Brock Purdy keep rolling?
Last week Purdy became the first quarterback since Kurt Warner to win his first three NFL starts and throw 2-or-more touchdown passes in each game. If he throws at least two touchdowns this week he will become the first 49ers quarterback since Jeff Garcia in 2001 to pull it off five weeks in a row.
After facing three defenses ranked 17th or higher in net yards per pass allowed, Purdy gets to take on a Raiders defense which is currently 26th in this category. San Francisco currently has the fourth highest net yards per attempt in the league.
Potentially helping Purdy’s cause on Sunday will be the absence of Chandler Jones. The 4.5 sacks by Jones are behind only Maxx Crosby’s 11.5. No other Las Vegas defender has recorded at least two sacks this season.
2.) Will the 49ers run game stay hot?
San Francisco’s run game has been strong of late. Over the last three weeks the 49ers have averaged 5.5 yards per rush attempt. Christian McCaffrey has led the way with 273 yards on 55 carries over that span.
Behind McCaffrey the Niners have received solid outings from rookies Jordan Mason and Ty Davis Price. Mason gained 100 yards on 15 carries against Tampa Bay and Seattle before being limited to special teams duty last week.
In Mason’s absence Davis-Price received his first carries since week seven. Davis-Price finished with nine attempts for 30 yards.
Ray-Ray McCloud made his presence felt in the run game also. Playing in place of Deebo Samuel, McCloud took a sweep around the right side 71 yards for a touchdown. The run was the 49ers longest of the season.
The Raiders come into this game allowing only 4.3 yards per rush, good for 13th best in the league. Las Vegas will be without linebacker Denzel Perryman. Perryman leads the Raiders in tackles but was place on injured reserve with a shoulder injury earlier this week.
3.) A record setting performance for Nick Bosa?
Recently named to the Pro Bowl, Nick Bosa is having the best season of his career. The defensive end has 17.5 sacks on the season, just two short of the 49ers single season record currently held by Aldon Smith.
The Las Vegas offensive line has been one of the best in the league at protecting the quarterback. They have allowed an average of only two sacks per game this season.
A change from Derek Carr to Jarrett Stidham may help Bosa in his quest to break the 49ers record and chase down Michael Strahan’s NFL single season record of 22.5.
4.) Will the defense be prepared for Jarrett Stidham?
Las Vegas made news at the beginning of the week by announcing Jarrett Stidham would replace Derek Carr at quarterback for the final two weeks.
Stidham is an unknown to most of the NFL, but he’s not an unknown to Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels. The two were together for three seasons in New England and McDaniels brought the quarterback with him when he became the Raiders head coach this offseason.
There is not much film of Stidham to work off. His only throws during this regular season came in week eight against New Orleans. Against the Saints he finished 8-13 for 72 yards. That lack of tape may work against the 49ers. It’s not uncommon for a backup quarterback to come in and play well for a week or two.
Over the last five weeks Las Vegas has given the ball up ten times. Nine of those were from interceptions off the right arm of Carr.
If Stidham is functional, the switch could help the Raiders turn things around.
5.) Can the 49ers stop Josh Jacobs?
The 49ers defense has not allowed an opposing running back to rush for over 59 yards on them all season. Brian Robinson Jr. came close last week, picking up 58 yards on 22 carries.
Next up for the 49ers defense is Josh Jacobs.
Jacobs has run for over 59 yards in 12 of 15 games this season. His rushing is a primary reason why Las Vegas has averaged the fourth most time per possession in the NFL.
The Raiders will need a big game out of Jacobs to keep the ball out away from the 49ers offense and not put Stidham in situations where the quarterback has to convert on third and six or more.
Prediction:
49ers 23 Raiders 13
Playing the Commanders 2 weeks in a row? NFL really messed up the schedule this year.
The Niners take this one. I think the 10-point spread is conservative but reasonable. Good luck to all the guys and do not let up. Vegas is not a great team but they are far from the worse. Stay alert!
allie,
Good to see you positive and strong.
Go 9ers.
#1 Purdy will eventually have a bad game. Will it be this week? Better this week than the 1st week of the playoffs
#2 If you mean stay hot as in one long to semi long break away run and 25 subpar under 4 yards per carry runs, then yes.
#3 If the bookies are correct (10 point spread) then the answer is no as Bosa sees his playing time drop early in the game.
#4 Yes, I see Ryans dialing up an unusual number of Blitzes and multiple coverages to confuse Stidham.
.#5 Jacobs is the best RB in football so I see him gaining over 59 yards unless the 9ers jump to a big early lead.
Yes, hate to see Purdy successfully glide into the playoffs only to lose to the Giants in the Niners first playoff game. Think everyone is wondering when, if that other shoe will drop in his case.
The Raiders are a mystery to me. They have so many star players, but are still a bad team. They must have subpar talent/depth overall. I do think they will keep it close for most of the game before SF adds some short field TDs.
Its strange watching the bowl games this year, usually i’m looking for potential 1st and 2nd round picks. This year i’m looking for late 3rd round picks. We may have as many as 4 unless we trade up. Around draft time this place gets really busy but this year I predict a very quiet blog.
Harbaugh’s still tight as a drum in major championships and this Fiesta Bowl is mirroring the Niners Super Bowl start when he was head coach. Michigan botches Red Zone TD, QB throws interception (almost 2), and TCU races off to early 14-0 lead. Michigan seems just as tight and wound up as their coach. By the time Harbaugh and his players settle down, it’s too late. Like Harbaugh a lot but it seems he just can’t manage the big moments. Sad.
Michigan fumbles at goal line & another TD is botched. What is it with Harbaugh and these big championship games?
Could Harbaugh become a candidate for the Broncos in 2023?
If he can’t get a win against TCU, Harbaugh could begin to wonder if his college coaching time has hit the ceiling.
This will be Harbaugh’s 6th straight bowl game loss at Michigan. Have to wonder how he’d fare competing for one of the NFL coaching vacancies this year, having lost a Super Bowl with the Niners and unable to win a bowl game while at Michigan. Vikings certainly didn’t want him a year ago.This will be Harbaugh’s 6th straight bowl game loss at Michigan. Have to wonder how he’ll fare competing for one of the NFL coaching vacancies, having lost a Super Bowl with the Niners and unable to win a bowl game while at Michigan. Vikings didn’t want him a year ago. Who will this year?
I highly doubt that an NFL team needing a head coach will pass on Harbaugh if wants to return to the NFL.
The fact that Harbaugh went to a Superbowl will draw interest. He was close to going to another SB if not for a Kyle Williams fumble.
Jack
* The 49ers need to keep winning to put pressure on the Vikings for the second seed.
MY CRYSTAL BALL SAYS:
Packers upset Vikings 28 to 21
9ers beat the Raiders 23 to 13
With Vikings loss, 9ers move into second seed.
Michigan is playing better in the 2nd half. But Harbaugh’s albatross his always been playing against speed teams. And TCU looks to have more overall speed than Michigan.
David Lombardi
25m
“Trey Lance underwent a second surgery on his right ankle Friday to remove hardware inserted during the initial surgery. The 49ers just released this announcement and explanation.
Lance still expected back for OTAs:”
It looks like Lance will be a full go come TC.
The 49ers just released this announcement and explanation.
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