The Oakland Raiders are one point favorites in NFL betting as they host the San Francisco 49ers in their annual preseason matchup. Both teams are 2-0 in the preseason and both are very optimistic heading into the 2010 regular season. You might even want to make an NFL bet on the Raiders this season and it has been a long time since you could say that.
NFL betting in the third preseason game is really the best time to wager on the preseason since starters see their most extensive playing time. Jason Campbell has looked good so far for the Raiders in the preseason and the Oakland running game gets a boost this week with the return of Darren McFadden.
The Raiders will also be getting backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski back this week. Gradkowski is now in a fight for the backup job with Kyle Boller. The Raiders did suffer a key injury this week when they lost wide receiver Chaz Schilens.
Frank Gore: San Francisco is expected to have star running back Frank Gore in the starting lineup on Saturday. Head coach Mike Singletary wants Gore and the first string offense to get some extensive playing time in this game. Quarterback Alex Smith was solid last season in the win over Minnesota.
The 49ers have been without wide receiver Michael Crabtree and tight end Vernon Davis. The 49ers have been holding Gore out as they don’t want to risk him in a meaningless game but he wants to get some time in this game and the coaching staff wants to see as many starters as possible playing together in this contest.
Crabtree and Davis are both questionable for this game. Newcomer Brian Westbrook is expected to play.
Vanilla Game? These two teams meet on October 17th in a regular season contest so it will be very interesting to see if either team shows much in this preseason game. Normally you would consider an NFL bet on the under in this situation and that might not be a bad idea for Saturday night’s game.
Series History: The Raiders and 49ers meet almost every year in the preseason. The Raiders hold a slight 19-18 edge in the series. Last year it was San Francisco winning 21-20 at home.