This is not a normal road trip. The Las Vegas Raiders play at the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, and it is their first regular-season visit to Levi's Stadium since 2018. It is also their first regular-season game back in the Bay since the team left Oakland.
Las Vegas arrives at 4-4 after beating the New York Jets 38-33 last week. San Francisco arrives at 6-1, rested off its bye and trying to answer its first loss of the season. Kickoff is Sunday, November 8, at 1:25 p.m. PT on FOX.
A Rivalry, a Brother, and a Long Wait
Sunday is the 16th regular-season meeting between these teams. San Francisco leads the series 8-7 and has won the last two, including a 37-34 overtime win in Las Vegas on January 1, 2023. The last meeting in Santa Clara came on November 1, 2018, when San Francisco won 34-3.
There is a family twist too. Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, in his first year, faces his brother Klay Kubiak, the 49ers offensive coordinator.
Half a Point Apart on Offense, Miles Apart on Defense
Here is the fresh insight hiding in the numbers. These offenses are almost twins, and these defenses are not.
| Number | Raiders | 49ers |
|---|---|---|
| Points scored per game | 27.6 | 28.1 |
| Quarterback passing yards | Kirk Cousins, 2,124 | Brock Purdy, 1,748 |
| Quarterback touchdowns | Cousins, 19 | Purdy, 15, with 4 interceptions |
| Points allowed per game | 28.8 | 19.9 |
Cousins threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns against the Jets. Tight end Brock Bowers is his key target, with 41 catches for 547 yards. Purdy has completed 69.2 percent of his passes, the third-highest mark in the NFL.
The run game tells the other story. Ashton Jeanty leads Las Vegas with 337 rushing yards, but the Raiders rank 31st in rushing at 77.3 yards per game. Rookie Mike Washington Jr. set career highs last week with 25 carries for 83 yards.
San Francisco gets help back at the perfect time. Defensive lineman Nick Bosa is set to return after missing five games. DeForest Buckner is also back in the Bay, acquired in a trade with Indianapolis, the team where he began his NFL career.
Linebacker Fred Warner put the Buckner return plainly.
"It was special when I found out that we got him. I'm excited. I know he's excited."
Your Sunday Watch Plan in Las Vegas
- Start with the returns. Running back Christian McCaffrey returned to full participation on Friday after his hamstring strain in Week 7. Watch his first carries to see if he is truly full speed.
- Watch the trenches first, not the scoreboard. Bosa and Buckner against a Raiders line protecting Cousins, and Maxx Crosby, who has three sacks this season, against the San Francisco front. That battle sets the whole afternoon.
- Check the late availability calls. San Francisco wide receiver Demarcus Robinson is questionable with an ankle injury, and head coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday the team will most likely activate him. For Las Vegas, defensive tackle Thomas Booker is out with an ankle injury and cornerback Darien Porter is questionable with a groin injury after practicing Friday.
- Stay for halftime. This is the annual Salute to Service game. The Marine Corps 3rd Aircraft Wing Band performs before the game, the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants sing the anthem, and Starship performs at halftime.
A win puts Las Vegas at 5-4 and above .500. Eight years away from this stadium, against a 6-1 team getting its stars back, the Raiders get to prove the Jets win was real.
