
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
TV: FOX5 Las Vegas / KRON4 Bay Area / regional preseason affiliates
Tickets: As low as $53
Betting Line: Las Vegas Raiders -1.5*
Moneyline: Las Vegas approximately -125 to -136 / San Francisco approximately +105 to +113
Over/Under: 37.5 Points*
Betting note: Las Vegas -1.5 and 37.5 are available at several sportsbooks as of August 25. Some books have moved the Raiders to -2, while a few have pushed the total to 38.5. Verify the live number before wagering.
The San Francisco 49ers make the short trip to Las Vegas Thursday night to face the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in the preseason finale for both teams.
San Francisco enters 1-1 after rebounding from a 19-13 loss to Tennessee with an explosive 41-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Brock Purdy and Mac Jones made their preseason debuts, the running game generated several explosive plays, Jacob Cowing returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown, and San Francisco scored 41 despite throwing two interceptions in the second half.
Las Vegas is also 1-1 after producing one of the best comebacks of Preseason Week 2.
The Raiders trailed Houston 20-3 at halftime before scoring 19 unanswered second-half points to win 22-20. Aidan O’Connell ultimately drove Las Vegas 96 yards for the winning touchdown, sneaking into the end zone with 14 seconds remaining before Devin Lafayette sealed the comeback with an interception.
Both teams therefore enter the finale with reasons for confidence.
San Francisco just scored 41.
Las Vegas just erased a 17-point deficit.
The biggest question is who actually receives the majority of Thursday’s snaps.
The Raiders’ current unofficial depth chart lists Kirk Cousins first, Fernando Mendoza second, Aidan O’Connell third and Jacob Clark fourth at quarterback. As of August 25, Las Vegas had not publicly detailed exactly how Klint Kubiak intends to divide the finale among them.
San Francisco faces a similar decision.
Purdy handled one drive against the Chargers, completing four of six passes for 29 yards. Jones then played the remainder of the first half and went 6-of-13 for 89 yards. Adrian Martinez controlled the second half and helped produce three touchdown drives despite throwing two interceptions.
That uncertainty makes preseason player props challenging.
But it also creates opportunities.
Preseason player props are not consistently offered at every sportsbook. Unless your sportsbook lists the exact number below, these should be treated as projected betting targets based on anticipated workload, current roster competition and preseason production. Quarterback props should be reevaluated once the final playing-time plans are announced.
Mike Washington Jr. has quietly become one of the most productive running backs of the entire 2026 preseason.
His numbers through two games:
15 carries.
119 rushing yards.
7.9 yards per attempt.
His Week 1 performance against Arizona included 63 yards on only six carries.
Then he followed it with 56 yards on nine carries against Houston, including a 33-yard run.
That combination of efficiency and expected opportunity makes a projected number around 45 yards attractive.
Washington is exactly the type of player who matters most in a preseason finale.
Ashton Jeanty is already established as Las Vegas’ No. 1 running back.
The coaching staff doesn’t need 20 carries from him Thursday.
Washington, however, is still building his role.
Kubiak needs additional information.
Can he pass protect?
Can he handle early-down work?
Can he catch the football?
Can he contribute on special teams?
Can his explosive rushing production continue against another NFL defense?
So far, the answer to the rushing question has been emphatically yes.
Washington averaged 10.5 yards per carry against Arizona and 6.2 against Houston.
He also caught two passes for 18 yards against the Texans.
Las Vegas should continue feeding him.
The Raiders have multiple backs who need evaluation.
Dylan Laube rushed six times for 37 yards and a touchdown against Houston.
Dare Ogunbowale scored on a 19-yard run.
Roman Hemby also received six carries.
That means Washington doesn’t automatically receive 15 attempts.
Kubiak could divide the work evenly.
There is also a possibility that Washington has already done enough to solidify his roster standing, causing Las Vegas to shift more opportunities toward players deeper on the bubble.
But 44.5 remains manageable.
Washington has exceeded it in both preseason appearances.
Projected Bet: Mike Washington Jr. Over 44.5 Rushing Yards
De’Zhaun Stribling has been San Francisco’s most consistent preseason receiving target.
Against Tennessee:
7 receptions for 63 yards.
Against the Chargers:
4 receptions for 46 yards.
Total:
11 catches for 109 yards.
He has cleared 39.5 yards in both games.
Even more encouraging is that his production has come with different quarterbacks.
Stribling isn’t surviving on one long reception.
He is earning volume.
In the Chargers game, Purdy targeted him immediately.
Stribling caught three passes on the opening drive for 25 yards.
When Jones entered, the two connected for another 21-yard gain.
That versatility is extremely important.
A young receiver who only produces with the third-string quarterback may disappear once the regular-season roster is finalized.
Stribling has shown he can function with San Francisco’s top quarterbacks.
His training-camp production has also translated to games.
Before facing the Chargers, Stribling caught two touchdowns during the joint practice between the teams.
San Francisco therefore has every reason to keep evaluating him Thursday.
The 49ers may already know what they have.
Eleven receptions over two games is significant preseason volume.
Shanahan praised Stribling’s development as a blocker after the Chargers victory, noting that he has the size, mentality and commitment to improve in that area.
If the coaching staff feels Stribling has essentially earned his role, San Francisco could devote more fourth-quarter targets to other receivers fighting for the final spots.
The quarterback rotation also matters.
Stribling has produced with Purdy and Jones.
His role could become smaller if Martinez handles most of the finale.
Still, the combination of consistent volume and two straight 40-plus-yard games is difficult to ignore.
Projected Bet: De’Zhaun Stribling Over 39.5 Receiving Yards
This projected bet is strongest if Las Vegas confirms O’Connell will receive approximately two quarters or another extended appearance.
Aidan O’Connell provided the signature performance of Las Vegas’ second preseason game.
The Raiders entered the second half trailing Houston 20-3.
O’Connell ultimately completed 15 of 24 passes for 166 yards and directed the 96-yard game-winning drive that ended with his one-yard touchdown sneak.
That performance reminded everyone why O’Connell remains valuable.
He has actual NFL starting experience.
And in preseason football, experience matters.
O’Connell demonstrated that he can operate Kubiak’s offense under pressure.
The final drive against Houston wasn’t a meaningless possession with a 20-point margin.
Las Vegas needed a touchdown.
O’Connell had to manage:
The clock.
Protection.
Third downs.
Field position.
And the red zone.
He did it.
His biggest completion came when he found Brandon Johnson for 33 yards, helping move the Raiders toward Houston’s goal line.
A quarterback capable of producing a 166-yard half can certainly exceed a projected 109.5-yard number if given comparable work.
Las Vegas has four quarterbacks.
That is the problem.
Cousins is first on the depth chart.
Mendoza is second.
O’Connell is third.
Clark is fourth.
The finale may be the last opportunity to evaluate Clark.
The Raiders may also want more work for Mendoza after his difficult performance against Houston.
Mendoza completed 8 of 15 passes for 86 yards and threw an interception that became a touchdown while dealing with consistent pressure.
If Kubiak gives Mendoza the first half and splits the second between O’Connell and Clark, the passing-yard over becomes unplayable.
That is why workload confirmation matters.
Projected Bet: Aidan O’Connell Over 109.5 Passing Yards — only with extended playing time
The 37.5 total may initially look too low.
San Francisco just scored 41.
Las Vegas just scored 22 after halftime.
But preseason finales are different.
The goal is no longer simply preparing the starting lineup.
The goal becomes deciding the final roster.
That frequently means long stretches featuring third- and fourth-team players.
San Francisco’s 41 points against Los Angeles were not produced entirely by conventional offensive drives.
Cowing returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown.
The 49ers also received short fields and late scoring opportunities.
Martinez finished only 8-of-17 passing for 57 yards while throwing two interceptions, yet San Francisco still scored 21 second-half points.
That kind of scoring efficiency is difficult to repeat.
Las Vegas’ Week 2 offensive result also requires context.
The Raiders gained an impressive 400 yards, but they were held to three points in the entire first half.
Their 19-point second-half comeback involved rushing touchdowns from Laube and Ogunbowale before O’Connell completed the winning drive.
The finale could become much more conservative.
Both teams have shown real offensive depth.
San Francisco’s backup unit scored repeatedly against the Chargers.
Las Vegas demonstrated that its third-string quarterback can engineer a 96-yard drive.
Washington has been explosive.
Stribling has been consistent.
Cowing can change the game on special teams.
A defensive touchdown could also destroy an under quickly.
Martinez threw two interceptions last week, while Mendoza threw a pick-six against Houston.
Turnovers create short fields.
Short fields create preseason overs.
Still, 37.5 requires at least 38 points.
A 20-17 result stays under.
That feels like the most natural game script.
Bet: Under 37.5 Points
Preseason Week 3 is different from everything that came before it.
The established starters are almost ready for the regular season.
The coaching staffs know most of their depth charts.
The remaining decisions involve the final handful of roster spots.
That creates urgency.
A rookie receiver isn’t simply trying to catch a pass.
He’s trying to keep his job.
A fourth running back isn’t simply trying to gain five yards.
He’s trying to prove he can play special teams.
A backup quarterback isn’t just operating an offense.
He’s trying to establish his place on the depth chart.
That makes Thursday especially important for players such as Washington, Stribling, O’Connell, Martinez, Laube, Cowing and dozens of defenders fighting for the final roster spots.
Purdy made his first preseason appearance against the Chargers.
Shanahan gave him exactly one possession.
The 49ers quarterback completed four of six passes for 29 yards, including three completions to Stribling. The drive lasted 12 plays and included three third-down conversions before eventually ending without a touchdown.
That is almost the perfect preseason tune-up.
Purdy took live snaps.
He converted third downs.
He operated the offense.
He avoided injury.
There is little reason for San Francisco to expose him extensively Thursday.
If he plays at all, expect another limited appearance.
The meaningful quarterback evaluation belongs to Jones and Martinez.
Jones didn’t dominate the Chargers.
He completed 6 of 13 passes for 89 yards.
But preseason backup evaluation isn’t always about box-score brilliance.
Jones moved the offense.
He found Jordan Watkins for 24 yards.
He connected with Stribling for 21.
He helped San Francisco reach scoring territory.
Most importantly, he offers Shanahan a backup with extensive NFL starting experience.
That means the 49ers don’t need to learn whether Jones understands an NFL offense.
They need to refine timing and chemistry.
The finale should be more about maintaining readiness than proving basic competence.
Martinez’s preseason has been fascinating.
Week 1:
16-of-30 passing.
159 yards.
No interceptions.
18 rushing yards.
Week 2:
8-of-17 passing.
57 yards.
One touchdown.
Two interceptions.
10 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
The statistics tell the story.
Martinez can create offense.
He can also make damaging mistakes.
Thursday is probably the most important game of his preseason.
San Francisco needs to see cleaner decisions.
The athleticism is obvious.
The question is consistency.
Few San Francisco players have improved their position more than Stribling.
Eleven receptions.
109 yards.
Two straight games as a meaningful part of the passing offense.
His development as a blocker may be equally important.
Shanahan specifically praised that aspect of his game after the Chargers victory.
Receivers fighting for depth-chart positions cannot simply catch the football in San Francisco’s offense.
They need to block.
They need to understand formations.
They need to contribute on special teams.
Stribling’s preseason suggests he is becoming a more complete player.
Thursday is one more opportunity to finish the job.
Black finally made his preseason debut against the Chargers after returning from an adductor injury.
San Francisco immediately gave him work.
Eight carries.
33 yards.
All in the first quarter.
Shanahan said afterward that he liked Black’s physical running style but intentionally limited his workload because it was only his second day back.
That makes Thursday especially interesting.
Black should be further removed from the injury.
San Francisco can now evaluate whether the rookie can handle more sustained work.
His college résumé suggests he can.
Black rushed for 1,039 yards and 10 touchdowns at Indiana in 2025.
The 49ers may have found another useful back.
Preseason games often turn on special teams.
Cowing provided the perfect example.
With San Francisco leading 10-3, he returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown, instantly changing the complexion of the game.
Shanahan called the play huge and praised Cowing for finally putting together a healthy stretch of practices.
That matters Thursday because players near the bottom of the receiver depth chart often earn roster spots through special teams.
One explosive return can be more valuable than four routine catches.
Cowing will have another opportunity in Las Vegas.
Kubiak has four quarterbacks to manage.
Kirk Cousins.
Fernando Mendoza.
Aidan O’Connell.
Jacob Clark.
That makes the finale difficult to handicap.
Cousins has little left to prove after looking excellent in his preseason opener.
Against Arizona, the veteran completed five of six passes for 50 yards and finished the opening possession with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Michael Mayer.
That was enough to show the offense can function with its starter.
The important question is how Kubiak uses everyone behind him.
Mendoza’s preseason has provided exactly what preseason football is supposed to provide:
Learning opportunities.
He looked promising in the opener.
Houston was much more difficult.
The Texans pressured him repeatedly.
Mendoza was sacked once.
Hit five times.
And threw an interception that became a pick-six.
He finished 8-of-15 for 86 yards.
Afterward, Mendoza acknowledged how small the margins are at the NFL level.
That awareness matters.
Thursday isn’t about erasing every mistake.
It is about showing he learned from them.
Get the football out.
Take the checkdown.
Avoid the catastrophic turnover.
One clean half would represent significant progress.
O’Connell entered the Houston game deeper on the depth chart.
Then he produced the best quarterback performance of the night for Las Vegas.
15-of-24.
166 yards.
A 96-yard game-winning drive.
A touchdown sneak with 14 seconds remaining.
That is exactly what a veteran quarterback should do against preseason reserves.
Take control.
Stay calm.
Manage the clock.
Finish.
Whether that changes his depth-chart position is another question.
But it absolutely strengthens his value to the Raiders.
Washington is one of the biggest reasons to watch the Raiders’ offense Thursday.
His two preseason games:
Six carries, 63 yards vs. Arizona.
Nine carries, 56 yards vs. Houston.
That is 119 yards on 15 attempts.
His longest runs have gone for 53 and 33 yards.
That means this isn’t simply volume-based production.
Washington is creating explosive plays.
The 6-foot-2, 228-pound rookie also rushed for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns at Arkansas in 2025, averaging 6.4 yards per attempt.
The preseason production isn’t coming from nowhere.
The Raiders’ first half against Houston was ugly.
They trailed 20-3.
Mendoza was under pressure.
The offense struggled to finish drives.
Then everything changed.
Las Vegas shut Houston out after halftime.
Laube scored.
Ogunbowale scored.
O’Connell finished the comeback.
Lafayette intercepted the final pass.
For a first-year head coach, Kubiak couldn’t ask for much more from a preseason adversity standpoint.
He learned that his reserves would keep competing.
That matters in a game Thursday likely decided by those same types of players.
Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers: Purdy completed four of six passes on one drive against the Chargers. If he plays Thursday, expect another short tune-up rather than extended work.
Mac Jones, QB, 49ers: Jones threw for 89 yards against Los Angeles and provides San Francisco with an experienced regular-season backup option.
Adrian Martinez, QB, 49ers: Martinez has 216 passing yards through two preseason games but threw two interceptions against the Chargers. His ability to eliminate mistakes will be a major storyline.
De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, 49ers: Stribling leads San Francisco’s preseason receiving production with 11 catches for 109 yards.
Kaelon Black, RB, 49ers: Black rushed eight times for 33 yards in his preseason debut and should be ready for additional work after returning from an adductor injury.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Raiders: Cousins completed five of six passes for 50 yards and a touchdown in his lone preseason series. His Thursday workload, if any, should be limited.
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Raiders: Mendoza needs a cleaner performance after going 8-of-15 for 86 yards with a pick-six against Houston.
Aidan O’Connell, QB, Raiders: O’Connell threw for 166 yards and directed the 96-yard winning drive in Houston.
Mike Washington Jr., RB, Raiders: Washington has 119 yards on only 15 preseason carries and has become one of Las Vegas’ biggest August standouts.
Dylan Laube, RB, Raiders: Laube rushed six times for 37 yards and scored against Houston, giving Las Vegas another young back competing for a role.
San Francisco’s first priority is deciding how much work its established starters need.
Purdy received one drive last week.
That may already be enough.
Second, the 49ers need cleaner quarterback play once the backups enter.
Martinez helped produce touchdowns against the Chargers, but two interceptions are difficult to ignore.
Third, San Francisco needs to continue evaluating Stribling.
He has been the team’s most consistent preseason receiver.
Another strong performance could solidify his role.
Fourth, the 49ers should continue testing Black.
He looked physical in limited Week 2 work and should be healthier Thursday.
Finally, San Francisco must avoid allowing special-teams and turnover swings to work against it.
The 49ers benefited from those plays against Los Angeles.
Preseason finales often turn on them.
Las Vegas’ first priority is quarterback allocation.
Kubiak needs enough snaps for Mendoza, O’Connell and possibly Clark without unnecessarily exposing Cousins.
Second, the Raiders should continue feeding Washington.
He has been too productive to ignore.
Third, the offensive line must protect better.
Houston’s second-team pass rush repeatedly bothered Mendoza, and Kubiak acknowledged there was plenty to clean up after the victory.
Fourth, the Raiders need to avoid another slow start.
Falling behind 20-3 and recovering is impressive.
It is not a formula worth repeating.
Finally, Las Vegas needs its defensive reserves to build on the second half in Houston.
The Raiders allowed zero points after halftime and produced the game-sealing interception.
At the supplied Las Vegas -1.5, the Raiders are the preferred side.
The market broadly agrees that Las Vegas deserves to be a small home favorite. DraftKings, BetMGM and Bet365 were showing Raiders -1.5 on August 25, while Caesars had moved to -2.
There are several reasons to back the Raiders.
First, Washington gives Las Vegas the most productive preseason running back in the matchup.
Second, O’Connell gives the Raiders an experienced quarterback capable of dominating late-game reserve situations.
Third, Las Vegas is at home.
Fourth, Kubiak’s roster demonstrated resilience against Houston.
The Raiders were terrible for a half and still won.
San Francisco absolutely has paths to victory.
The 49ers just scored 41 points.
Stribling is playing extremely well.
Jones is an experienced backup.
Black adds another running option.
But San Francisco’s 41-point performance may be slightly misleading.
One touchdown came on an 83-yard punt return.
Another followed an extremely short field.
Martinez threw two interceptions.
The 49ers’ offensive performance was good, but it wasn’t necessarily 41-points-good.
That makes Las Vegas -1.5 attractive.
The total is even more interesting.
At 37.5, this game needs 38 combined points to go over.
With both teams likely using extensive second-, third- and fourth-team personnel, something closer to 20-17 feels more realistic.
Prediction: Raiders 20, 49ers 17
Pick: Las Vegas Raiders -1.5
Moneyline: Las Vegas Raiders
Total Pick: Under 37.5
This should be one of the more competitive preseason finales because both teams have legitimate depth battles still unfolding.
San Francisco has shown greater offensive explosiveness.
Las Vegas has shown greater late-game resilience.
The 49ers’ best advantage may come early if Shanahan gives Purdy or Jones meaningful work.
The Raiders’ biggest advantage may come later.
O’Connell already demonstrated that he can control a fourth-quarter preseason game.
Washington has been explosive against every defense he has faced.
Laube and Ogunbowale give Kubiak additional rushing options.
Las Vegas also gets the game at Allegiant Stadium.
Expect San Francisco to move the football early.
Stribling should remain involved.
Black should receive a larger rushing workload.
But once the game moves deeper into the reserve rotations, the Raiders’ running back depth and O’Connell’s experience should begin to matter.
The game should remain within one possession throughout the fourth quarter.
A late Raiders field goal—or another O’Connell-led scoring drive—provides the difference.
Final Score Prediction: Las Vegas Raiders 20, San Francisco 49ers 17
Best Bet: Under 37.5
Against the Spread: Las Vegas Raiders -1.5
Top Player Prop: Mike Washington Jr. Over 44.5 Rushing Yards
Additional Props: De’Zhaun Stribling Over 39.5 Receiving Yards | Aidan O’Connell Over 109.5 Passing Yards if extended playing time is confirmed
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