49ers vs. Raiders: Week 9 NFL Odds, Injuries and Picks

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Game Time Decisions

San Francisco-Raiders Matchup Highlights a Treacherous NFL Week 9

The line was as high as 10 and is now at 9.5, but San Francisco may be the one team worth considering when laying double digits. The 49ers are at home following a bye, and Bosa looks likely to return.

Vegas relies heavily on throwing to its tight ends, while the 49ers have the NFL’s top defense against that position. If San Francisco takes away those options, the Raiders could have a difficult day.

Trey Tucker has had a strong year for the Raiders, but much of his production has come when the team has been trailing by two or three touchdowns. That makes his potential first-half impact uncertain.

McCaffrey was limited in practice, although he says he feels great and is ready to play. His status may remain uncertain until Sunday. Evans appears doubtful after missing practice, while Deebo Samuel also did not practice. San Francisco continues to have major issues at wide receiver, and many expect the team to acquire one within the next four or five days.

The Raiders should still score some points. They have regularly produced offense after falling far behind, with the game against the Jets standing out as an exception because they held the lead. The over could be an option, and the Raiders are dangerous when trying to secure a backdoor cover.

However, San Francisco’s defense generally plays well, and the 49ers typically do not allow 30 points or more. If that defense performs as expected, San Francisco could cover the large spread.

The performance of double-digit underdogs has changed dramatically from last season. At this point last year, sportsbooks were getting hammered, and double-digit underdogs continued covering throughout the season at roughly a 70% rate. This year has been the opposite, with the figure around 32% or 33%.

Large underdogs often attract initial interest, particularly when they are getting nine or 10 points on the road. Home teams receiving 10 points are more concerning because such a large line suggests they may be a particularly weak team.

Week 9 features several treacherous games, so caution is necessary. There is considerable uncertainty, similar to what is usually seen around Week 16, when teams have already begun looking ahead. This year, some teams remain in contention but are using unfamiliar players and operating with limited options.