Cuando los Oakland Raiders y los San Francisco 49ers se enfrentan, normalmente hay algo más en juego. A pesar de que ambos equipos solo tienen una victoria en el 2018, hay mucha historia entre ambas franquicias y el partido de este jueves será muy interesante al ser también el ultimo duelo de bahía antes de que el Plata y Negro se mude a Las Vegas.
En horario estelar, los Raiders enfrentarán a los 49ers en el Levi's Stadium, coincidentemente será la primera visita de los Raiders al nuevo hogar de los 49ers. A lo largo de los años, ambos equipos han sido rivales geográficos, sin embargo, en algún momento sus respectivos Entrenadores en Jefe estuvieron en un mismo equipo, Tampa Bay, cuando Kyle Shanahan fue entrenador asistente en el plantel al mando de Jon Gruden. 14 años después se verán las caras como oponentes.
Tres duelos claves a los cuales prestar atención durante el partido del jueves:
Kolton Miller vs. DeForest Buckner
Hace tres semanas, Miller batalló en contra de la presión emitida por los Seahawks Seahawks, sin embargo, en el partido ante los Indianápolis Colts e domingo pasado mejoró su desempeño. Previo al partido entre los Colts y Raiders, Indianápolis había registrado 21 capturas de mariscal, pero ante Oakland no lograron sumar a ese total. Sabemos que mantener intacto al mariscal es primordial en cada partido y el domingo pasado vimos lo efectiva que puede ser la ofensiva cuando los linieros hacen su trabajo de buena manera.
El jueves, Miller se enfrentará a uno de los mejores linieros defensivos, DeForest Buckner, por lo que limitar su presión será de suma importancia. En el 2018, Buckner ha registrado 4.5 capturas y puede convertirse en una calamidad en la trinchera. Los 49ers suelen rotar su lugar en la línea, pero la semana pasada ante los Cardinals se midió en su mayoría ante el tacle izquierdo y es muy probable que se repita esa tendencia en el partido del jueves. No será la primera ocasión en que Miller se enfrente ante un talentoso defensivo por lo que tendrá que sacar la casta ahora que los reflectores de una audiencia nacional verán la ultima batalla de la bahía.
Doug Martin vs. Fred Warner
Cuando los Raiders contrataron a Doug Martin durante el periodo de agencia libre, hubo varias personas que externaron escepticismo. El balón suelto del domingo pasado selló la derrota del Plata y Negro, pero el oriundo de Stockton había jugado bien hasta ese momento. En varias ocasiones Martin se escapó en acarreos de buen avance en contra de los Colts y terminó el día con 13 acarreos para 72 yardas. Martin sabe que necesita mejorar y entablar un ritmo en contra de Fred Warner.
Warner, como novato, ha tenido un buen desempeño y es líder en el equipo con 66 derribes. También tiene dos pases defendidos, un balón forzado y un balón recuperado. Warner es uno de los mejores defensivos en contra del ataque terrestre entre los apoyadores de los 49ers y el duelo entre el novato y el veterano será un punto clave del partido.
Esquineros y Profundos de los Raiders vs. Marquise Goodwin
La mayoría de los jugadores de la NFL son veloces, sean de la ofensiva o defensiva, pero adaptarse al ritmo de la NFL es algo que toma un poco de tiempo. Aunque hay algunos jugadores que son rápidos y elusivos, hay otros que son todavía más rápidos que los demás.
El receptor Marquise Goodwin de los 49ers es uno de esos jugadores.
Esta temporada, la defensiva de los Raiders ha permitido siete pases de 40 yardas o más. En el 2018, Goodwin tiene dos recepciones de 40 yardas o más y es muy hábil para rebasar a la defensiva secundaria. Este será un buen reto para toda la defensiva de los Raiders y si el grupo puede prevenir que Goodwin se escape en rutas largas, eso mermará mucho a la ofensiva de los 49ers.
See photos from the Raiders' final walk through before their Week 9 Thursday Night Football matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders defensive end Bruce Irvin (51), tackle Justin Murray (71), center Rodney Hudson (61), guard/tackle Denver Kirkland (79), and guard/center Jon Feliciano (76) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin (28) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders tackle Brandon Parker (75) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, head coach Jon Gruden, and coaching assistant Mark Arteaga on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Martavis Bryant (12) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders Crucial Catch gloves during a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook (87) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders safety Marcus Gilchrist (31) and senior defensive assistant Jim O'Neil on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders punter Johnny Townsend (5) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jordy Nelson (82) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin (28) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders tackle Jamar McGloster (64) and tackle Brandon Parker (75) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders offensive line on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders linebacker Emmanuel Lamur (54) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders tackle Brandon Parker (75), quarterback Derek Carr (4), and guard Gabe Jackson (66) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders safety Marcus Gilchrist (31) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) and cornerback Leon Hall (29) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders guard Gabe Jackson (66) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook (87) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders linebacker Jason Cabinda (53) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90), linebacker Shilique Calhoun (91), and defensive end Fadol Brown (95) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) and tight end Paul Butler (84) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and head coach Jon Gruden on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden and wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders strong safety Karl Joseph (42) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) and defensive line coach Mike Trgovac on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Clinton McDonald (97) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders cornerback Nick Nelson (23) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders safety Reggie Nelson (27) on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.

Oakland Raiders players and coaches on the field for a walk through before their game against the Indianapolis Colts, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Alameda, California.