Battle of Bay Area feels more like a skirmish for high 2019 draft pick
The Battle of the Bay Area in prime time is more like a skirmish for a high pick in next April’s draft, perhaps even the first overall selection.
Yep, that’s how bad the Raiders and 49ers have been so far. When they meet in Santa Clara, California, tonight, how much of the football world will show interest is problematic. How much the folks by the bay and its environs would care is debatable.
The 49ers (1-7) are ranked 31st in the AP Pro32, ahead of only the Raiders (1-6). San Francisco is a three-point favourite over its neighbour.
“We’re looking for more consistency. We’re looking for somebody to step up, not only on game day but during the week,” says Raiders coach Jon Gruden, whose return to his dream job has turned very sour.
“We’re still working through who are the best corners, who is the best combination for us in every situation. Hopefully, we can settle on it soon.”
The Niners would settle for any sort of victory. My goodness, they were swept by Arizona, which hasn’t beaten anyone else.
At least they have been close in many of their defeats.
“It’s something we’ve got to do to get better and get over that hump,” coach Kyle Shanahan says.
“It comes down to, you can do a lot of things throughout a game, but when it comes down to the end when we need to close people out and we need some closers to do that. We’ve had some opportunities to do it.”
Opportunity knocks this week for … RAIDERS, 20-13
SUNDAY LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
(plus 1 ⁄ ) at SEATTLE Seahawks getting physical, remain resourceful, should handle this one at home. SEAHAWKS, 27-20 PITTSBURGH (plus 3)
at BALTIMORE Steelers hitting their stride in time for NFL’s best rivalry renewal. STEELERS, 23-20 LOS ANGELES RAMS (plus 2)
at NEW ORLEANS Saints will put the Big Hurt on unbeaten Rams in the Big Easy. SAINTS, 36-32 ATLANTA (plus 2) at WASHINGTON Strange line; Redskins should be bigger favourite. What does Las Vegas know? REDSKINS, 21-20 HOUSTON (plus 2 ⁄ )
at DENVER Another strange line; Texans are far better, but altitude a factor here. TEXANS, 28-22 TAMPA BAY (plus 7)
at CAROLINA Panthers coming off two impressive victories. PANTHERS, 35-30 CHICAGO (minus 8 ⁄ )
at BUFFALO Wonder if Bills will be favoured again this season. BEARS, 22-6 KANSAS CITY (minus 8 ⁄ )
at CLEVELAND KC’s not exactly the team for any new coach to make debut against. CHIEFS, 30-24 GREEN BAY (plus 6) at NEW ENGLAND Packers aren’t scared of anyone. Neither are Patriots. PATRIOTS, 37-27 DETROIT (plus 4) at MINNESOTA First of three straight division tests for Vikings. They’ll barely pass this one. VIKINGS, 27-24 NEW YORK JETS (plus 3)
at MIAMI As usual, New England’s patsies are sinking in AFC East. DOLPHINS, 30-16
MONDAY TENNESSEE (plus 6 ⁄ )
at DALLAS Man, has Tennessee been a disappointment. COWBOYS, 20-19
——— 2018 RECORD: Last Week: Against spread (8-6). Straight up (12-2) Season Totals: Against spread (5658-4). Straight up: (81-38-2)