San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders (1/1/23): Betting Odds, Prediction, Depth Chart
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The 49ers haven’t lost since October, and the Raiders are doing everything in their power to ensure that streak continues. Las Vegas made the decision to bench Derek Carr for Jarrett Stidham over the next two weeks, essentially to preserve Carr’s health for a trade or release in the offseason. Throwing Stidham into the fire against the NFL’s best defense feels like a disaster waiting to happen, but that’s why they play the games.
Let’s make predictions, dive into the depth charts, and take a look at the odds ahead of this New Year’s Day matchup at Allegiant Stadium.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders Odds
The 49ers enter as 9.5-point road favorites, sitting at -460 on the moneyline. The over/under is set at 42 points.
It’s not common to see a road team enter as such a dramatic favorite, but this almost feels like it’s underselling the 49ers. San Francisco has managed comfortable win after comfortable win over the past two months, recently cruising past the Commanders, so it would be a surprise to me if Stidham was able to keep up the way other quarterbacks couldn’t.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders Prediction
I’m not overthinking this one. The 49ers still have something to play for, as they can move into the NFC’s No. 2 seed as early as this weekend. There’s no reason for San Francisco to come out and play anything less than the way they’ve been playing lately, which is at the level of a Super Bowl contender.
The Raiders aren’t turning to Stidham because he might be the future at the quarterback position. He hasn’t looked like a capable starter at any turn in the NFL, and the 49ers defense won’t be kind to such an inexperienced quarterback.
On the other hand, Brock Purdy continues to look like a capable leader of the offense even with Deebo Samuel out. Expect George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey to have productive days against a shaky Raiders defense, and it likely won’t take much to begin building up a sizable lead considering the way Josh McDaniels’ offense has run even when Carr was under center.
The 49ers don’t need to have their absolute best performance to win this one by double digits, but they look like a train that can’t be stopped right now. 49ers -9.5 is the way to go.
Betting Trends
The 49ers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following an outright win. As expectations build, Kyle Shanahan’s team keeps answering the call.
The Raiders are 5-0 ATS against teams with a winning record this season. Time will tell if that can continue to be the case without Carr.
The under is 7-3 in the 49ers’ last 10 road games.
Key Injuries
San Francisco 49ers Injuries: WR Deebo Samuel (knee, ankle) returned to practice on a limited basis this week but isn’t certain to play in Week 17. DT Javon Kinlaw (knee) returned against the Commanders and should play. RB Christian McCaffrey has been dealing with a knee injury but is in line to play. DT Arik Armstead (foot, ankle) has been limited in practice this week.
Las Vegas Raiders Injuries: QB Derek Carr is away from the team as the Raiders look to preserve his health for an offseason move.
Key Matchups
Check out the key matchups and mismatches for 49ers vs. Raiders below.
Jarrett Stidham vs. 49ers Secondary
It’s pretty clear the Raiders are going to need Stidham to at least look respectable against this tough 49ers defense to have a chance. The game plan will be to use Josh Jacobs heavily, but the 49ers have the league’s best run defense and won’t let him do what he did to the Seahawks. The only path to a truly efficient day for the offense is Stidham making a genuine leap from his past NFL stints.
Nick Bosa vs. Raiders Offensive Line
The Raiders’ much-maligned offensive line has actually done a pretty decent job preventing sacks this season, though Carr’s ability to get the ball out might be a factor. The 49ers are a brand new challenge. Nick Bosa is the Defensive Player of the Year favorite for a reason, with 17 sacks to his name, and he has the potential to be a game-wrecker against an inexperienced quarterback and unsteady offensive line. The Raiders won’t have anything happening offensively if they let Bosa do what he did to the Commanders.
San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart
QB: Brock Purdy
RB1: Christian McCaffrey
RB2: Tyrion Davis-Price
RB3: Jordan Mason
LWR: Deebo Samuel
RWR: Brandon Aiyuk
SWR: Jauan Jennings
TE1: George Kittle
Las Vegas Raiders Depth Chart
QB: Jarrett Stidham
RB1: Josh Jacobs
RB2: Brandon Bolden
RB3: Ameer Abdullah
LWR: Davante Adams
RWR: Mack Hollins
SWR: Hunter Renfrow
TE1: Darren Waller