Art Shell is trying to build a positive mindset into a Raiders team that looked very distracted last season, so we are not surprised by their 2-0 start this preseason.
We feel that Shell simply wants to win these games more than other coaches do, and we feel that will translate to a safe win this week vs. an overmatched San Francisco team. Interestingly, Oakland has won without new quarterback Aaron Brooks playing very well at all, but we look for Brooks to finally break through with his best game here vs. a 49ers defense that can be very generous at times.
Remember also that this is the third game for the Raiders since they played in the Hall of Fame Game, so the starters should see some extended action here.
Now Alex Smith showed what he is capable of last week for the Niners by passing for 137 yards while completing 16 of 21 passes. The running game was also excellent as Frank Gore rushed for 49 yards and former Penn State quarterback added 33 more on the ground. However, there is a reason that the 49ers have one of the worst teams in football, and we just do not see those players coming up big in consecutive weeks, especially as good as the Oakland defense has looked so far.
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49ers at Raiders - Aug 20th
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