49ers vs Raiders Preseason Picks and Predictions: Be Confident in Quarterback Play for Niners

With the Raiders opting to sit Jimmy Garoppolo and having no Josh Jacobs to turn to, our NFL betting picks believe the Niners’ quarterbacks will put San Francisco over the top in their preseason opener this Sunday.

The San Francisco 49ers and the Las Vegas Raiders each have something to prove this season, but in very different ways. 

Sunday’s visiting 49ers have been a near-constant in the Super Bowl discussion in the Kyle Shanahan era, but still have yet to win their sixth title. Meanwhile, the Raiders have to bounce back after a terrible 6-11 season which saw them miss out on the playoffs.

As usual, a lot of this preseason discussion is about who isn’t there, whether that’s starting quarterbacks or Raiders running back Josh Jacobs, who is holding out. Don’t miss our NFL picks and predictions for 49ers vs Raiders on Sunday, August 13.

49ers vs Raiders odds 49ers vs Raiders predictions

Sunday sees the 49ers face the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium after a long week of joint scrimmages. Both Kyle Shanahan and Josh McDaniels know the importance of preseason in developing the chemistry and understanding on their roster, but both are also aware of the risks and dangers that it can bring.

As always with preseason in the NFL, it’s about who isn’t playing with teams being careful around their biggest stars, notably the quarterbacks. After all, given that it’s effectively a meaningless game, why would you risk the players on which your season — and your job security if you’re a coach — depends on?

The fact we are going to see both teams be careful with their starters is obviously a disappointment as viewers, but it can give us an edge as a bettor. After looking at the quarterbacking situations in both teams, it’s clear to me that the best bet for 49ers vs. Raiders has be the San Francisco -3.5. I love that line, and I’d be happy to take it all the way to -6, as I feel that confident in the ability of the 49ers backups to get it done in Vegas.

We know that the Raiders will not be playing Jimmy Garoppolo or veteran Brian Hoyer. That means that we’re going to see plenty of Aidan O’Connell and Chase Garbers. 

While Brian Hoyer isn’t a starting-level QB in the NFL, he’s hugely experienced and would have been more than capable of leading a second-string offense in preseason. 

The news of Garoppolo being sidelined is great news for us 49ers -3.5 bettors, even if it robs us of a storyline around the QB facing his former team. Garoppolo was a consistent performer for the Niners during his time there, and had he played in this game he would have instantly raised the levels of the Raiders team.

Aidan O’Connell was drafted in the fourth round of this year’s NFL Draft after having spent five years at Purdue. He was only a starter in his final two years, but he did enough for the Raiders to select him. He’s still learning in this league, and there’s little evidence pointing to him being able to lead this offense against a second-string 49ers defense that still has some talented players.

That brings us to San Francisco and who is playing under center for them, which is the main reason that I’m backing the Niners to cover here. Kyle Shanahan’s 4-1 moneyline record in the opening week of preseason doesn’t hurt either.

We’ve had confirmation from Shanahan that although there’ll be no Brock Purdy on Sunday, we will see Trey Lance get the start, with Sam Darnold playing the second half of the game.

While neither Lance nor Darnold have lived up to what was hoped of them when they were both drafted third overall in their respective NFL Drafts, they’re still talented players and give the 49ers the edge here. I’m also not totally convinced that the QB competition in San Francisco is as over as some people think it is, and I imagine both men believe they’re still in contention to start in Week 1.

Lance has struggled since being drafted in 2021 but he’s been hugely unlucky with injuries. He can grab this game by the neck on Sunday and show his ability with both his arm and legs, something which will help the offense put up points.

Likewise, the experience of Darnold will be important to help the team keep and extend the lead in the second half. Let’s not forget that earlier in camp we were hearing glowing reviews about how he was performing.

Back the 49ers -3.5 here. It may be preseason and we have to urge caution, but this really does feel like a great opportunity. 

My best bet: 49ers -3.5 (-115 at BetMGM)

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49ers vs Raiders spread and Over/Under analysis

I’m not a massive fan of betting the moneyline, especially in preseason games, but the 49ers come into this as -170 favorites over the +165 Raiders. Given my confidence around the quality of the Niners backups, I’m happy to back them on the spread where I think you’re getting far better value.

With Lance and Darnold both playing, there’s a potential we could see high scoring from the Niners regardless of who is catching those passes. There’s simply too much experience, knowledge, and arm talent under center for the Niners.

I’m also happy taking the likes of 49ers -2.5 to win the first half, and a winning margin of 7-12 points, which you can still find for +350.

The total sits at 36 points, but for me, this is one to avoid. I do think we see the 49ers put at least three touchdowns on the board, but I have no belief that the Raiders, with poor QB play and Zamir White at running back, are going to put up enough points to back the Over. 

I’d rather let the total play out without a wager and focus my efforts on the spread, which feels like the far safer option.

49ers vs Raiders betting trend to know

Kyle Shanahan teams are 10-8 straight up throughout preseason and only have a losing record in one of the past five preseasons. Most importantly for us, his teams are 4-1 in the opening week, a better record than he has in any other week. Find more NFL betting trends for 49ers vs. Raiders.

49ers vs Raiders game info Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV Date: Sunday, August 13, 2023 Kickoff: 4:00 p.m. ET TV: NFL Network Opening odds: Raiders +4, O/U 36 49ers vs Raiders latest injuries 49ers vs Raiders weather

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