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There is a lot at stake when the San Francisco 49ers host the Oakland Raiders on Thursday, but for all the wrong reasons.
The 49ers (1-7) and the Raiders (1-6) – alongside the New York Giants (1-7) – are the pioneers to claim the top pick in the NFL draft in 2019.
But first, the Bay Area clubs meet for the last time before Oakland moves to Las Vegas.
"I know that means a lot to our fans," said Raiders quarterback Derek Carr. "I know it means a lot to everyone, so of course we want to go out and win this game, it's every week, but we know how much it means to our fans and how excited they are." We are aware of that, but it does not change anything for us, we have to go out and play well. "
Carr does 72% of his passes, but 10 touchdowns, 8 interceptions and 17 sacks are more of an indication of the tough season he and the Raiders have.
But at least Oakland has an established quarterback.
CJ Beathard, who succeeded Jimmy Garoppolo after suffering a knee injury at the end of the season in the third week, was injured in the right thumb and wrist in the second quarter of the loss. from 18-15 Sunday in San Francisco. Arizona.
"C.J. (Beathard) would be nice if we played Sunday," 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday after giving his players a holiday on Monday. "But it will be a test for Thursday."
Beathard credited adrenaline for having it played in the rest of the game.
"My wrist and my thumb are somehow damaged," said Beathard on Tuesday, raising his right arm to show a soft distribution applied despite the fact that X-rays are negative. "Let's hope that (Wednesday) it will be much better."
When asked if he expected to be ready for Thursday, Beathard replied, "I hope so." Yes.
Mullens, a notable former South Mississippi player who was part of the 49ers' training squad all of last season, has never taken a snapshot of the regular NFL season. He was 31 of 43 for 396 yards, mostly against the second and third opponents in the pre-season with a touchdown pass and three interceptions.
"(He is) as ready as possible," says Shanahan. "Nick is a very smart guy who works tirelessly so he can go and run the offense and knows what he's doing.
"I thought he had played well in pre-season, Nick comes in, shifts the chains, competes, plays with his legs and arm, guys believe in him and he's as competitive and confident as he is." 39, a guy I've already gone around with, he needs to play this week, he'll be on it. "
The 49ers have recently signed Tom Savage as the third quarter and he will likely be Mullens's substitute if Beathard was sidelined.
Oakland just defeated Indianapolis 42-28 on Sunday, while he was trying to get a high water mark in Sin City.
Carr threw three touchdown passes and rushed for another – his first career score as a runner – but Oakland scored 20-13 and 28-21 in the lead.
The Raiders have taken a lot of heat in recent weeks to trade linebacker Khalil Mack and wide receiver Amari Cooper, and to place running back Marshawn Lynch on the injured list for a good portion of the season.
But they were happy with their offensive performance against the Colts and hope it will continue on Thursday.
"I think we have reaffirmed in our mind that if we only do our job, we can do it," Carr said. "Even though we have neither Marshawn nor Coop, if everyone does our job and wins against the guy against whom he is going, we can do good things, let's hope the guys continue to study and hope that guys continue to learn and compete tail cut.
"We want to score points and win games, which has made it clear that if we do these things, we can do it."
Oakland, last in the NFL in number of shots on goal (144.7 per game), leads the series 7-6 with the home team winning the last three meetings.
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