With Jon Gruden’s return as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders, the NFL in the
San Francisco Bay Area became very compelling for the 2018 season.
San Francisco Bay Area became very compelling for the 2018 season.
It just so happens that the Raiders and San Francisco 49ers meet at Levi’s Stadium
in Santa Clara at a date to be determined. Please, spare me the Santa Clara 49ers
line, will you. There are a few teams in professional sports not playing in the city
that identifies the team. Throwing shade like that is pretty amateurish and weak.
in Santa Clara at a date to be determined. Please, spare me the Santa Clara 49ers
line, will you. There are a few teams in professional sports not playing in the city
that identifies the team. Throwing shade like that is pretty amateurish and weak.
Since the two teams are in opposite conferences, they only play each other every
four seasons. That reason is one why I will never call 49ers/Raiders a rivalry but I
would say it is a rivalry between the fans more so than on the field.
four seasons. That reason is one why I will never call 49ers/Raiders a rivalry but I
would say it is a rivalry between the fans more so than on the field.
I had a chance to listen to Gruden’s press conference today while driving my route
truck for Alhambra Water. My goodness, it was captivating. Gruden’s charisma whether
as a coach, broadcaster or speaker is very E. F. Hutton like. When he talks, people
listen. For the thumbnail sketch of Gruden’s return to coaching, read this entry:
truck for Alhambra Water. My goodness, it was captivating. Gruden’s charisma whether
as a coach, broadcaster or speaker is very E. F. Hutton like. When he talks, people
listen. For the thumbnail sketch of Gruden’s return to coaching, read this entry:
The 49ers and Raiders each went 6-10 last season but watching the seasons unfold in
real time, the two seasons could not have felt more different. San Francisco went a combined
7-25 in 2015 and 2016 under Jim Tomsula and Chip Kelly respectively after the organization
euphemistically fired Jim Harbaugh after the 2014 campaign. They called it a “mutual parting”
but that’s a euphemism for “they fired him” if you ask me.
real time, the two seasons could not have felt more different. San Francisco went a combined
7-25 in 2015 and 2016 under Jim Tomsula and Chip Kelly respectively after the organization
euphemistically fired Jim Harbaugh after the 2014 campaign. They called it a “mutual parting”
but that’s a euphemism for “they fired him” if you ask me.
Very few expected the 49ers to win more than four games under first-year head coach Kyle
Shanahan, who along with general manager John Lynch received a six-year contract. San
Francisco lost its first nine games, five by three points or less. The 49ers then sent a
second-round draft pick to the New England Patriots for quarterback Jimmy Garappolo.
Shanahan, who along with general manager John Lynch received a six-year contract. San
Francisco lost its first nine games, five by three points or less. The 49ers then sent a
second-round draft pick to the New England Patriots for quarterback Jimmy Garappolo.
Upon inserting Garappolo into the starting lineup, San Francisco finished the season with
five straight wins. You would be hard-pressed to find a better in-season turnaround than
the 2017 49ers going from 0-9 to winning six of their last seven to go 6-10.
five straight wins. You would be hard-pressed to find a better in-season turnaround than
the 2017 49ers going from 0-9 to winning six of their last seven to go 6-10.
After going 12-4 in 2016, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2002, the Raiders
entered 2017 with aspirations of being a Super Bowl contender. The hopes appeared
warranted thanks to the return of quarterback Derek Carr, a solid offensive line and skill
position players. Oakland started the season 2-0 before losing 27-10 at Washington.
The Raiders, despite their struggles, still had postseason aspirations at 6-6. Instead,
Oakland did its best Greg Louganis impersonation in that the team took a dive losing four
straight to close the season.
entered 2017 with aspirations of being a Super Bowl contender. The hopes appeared
warranted thanks to the return of quarterback Derek Carr, a solid offensive line and skill
position players. Oakland started the season 2-0 before losing 27-10 at Washington.
The Raiders, despite their struggles, still had postseason aspirations at 6-6. Instead,
Oakland did its best Greg Louganis impersonation in that the team took a dive losing four
straight to close the season.
The Raiders dismissed head coach Jack Del Rio moments after the season-ending 30-10
loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
I cannot readily recall two teams in the same region both recording 6-10 seasons, yet there
is so much excitement pertaining to the following campaign. The teams will be picking No. 9
and 10 in the NFL Draft, decided by a coin flip at a date to be determined.
is so much excitement pertaining to the following campaign. The teams will be picking No. 9
and 10 in the NFL Draft, decided by a coin flip at a date to be determined.
While it is far too soon to predict win-loss records, you start by looking at each team’s division
landscape. For the Raiders, in the AFC West, Kansas City continually finds ways to cough up
a furball in the playoffs but you know they will be a tough out in the regular season. The
Chargers have an intriguing nucleus on defense led by Joey Bosa and an aging but still
effective Philip Rivers at quarterback. The Broncos are a mess and have no quarterback.
landscape. For the Raiders, in the AFC West, Kansas City continually finds ways to cough up
a furball in the playoffs but you know they will be a tough out in the regular season. The
Chargers have an intriguing nucleus on defense led by Joey Bosa and an aging but still
effective Philip Rivers at quarterback. The Broncos are a mess and have no quarterback.
For the 49ers, in the NFC West, Arizona is circling the drain, both head coach Bruce Arians
and quarterback Carson Palmer are retiring. Seattle has one of the best quarterbacks in the
business in Russell Wilson but an aging defense. The Rams, meanwhile, have the most
solid nucleus.
and quarterback Carson Palmer are retiring. Seattle has one of the best quarterbacks in the
business in Russell Wilson but an aging defense. The Rams, meanwhile, have the most
solid nucleus.
The biggest question for San Francisco is “how will the team handle having expectations?”
The biggest question for the Raiders is “are they the 12-4 team from 2016 or the 6-10 team
from 2017?” I would split the difference since the 12-4 mark of 2016 involved Fool's Gold.
The team was 8-1 in games decided by seven points or less. However, I don't see next season
going off the rails like 2017 either.
I could see the 49ers going 10-6 but with a coach/GM tandem of Shanahan and Lynch, I
don’t see this team flaming out. I see 8-8 if they disappoint.
The biggest question for the Raiders is “are they the 12-4 team from 2016 or the 6-10 team
from 2017?” I would split the difference since the 12-4 mark of 2016 involved Fool's Gold.
The team was 8-1 in games decided by seven points or less. However, I don't see next season
going off the rails like 2017 either.
I could see the 49ers going 10-6 but with a coach/GM tandem of Shanahan and Lynch, I
don’t see this team flaming out. I see 8-8 if they disappoint.
I think the Raiders have a higher ceiling than the 49ers but also a lower floor.
Count me among those hoping the 49er-Raider game is a primetime contest.
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