The 49ers face the Raiders this week, and NFL Films’ Greg Cosell joins Willard and Dibs to explain where the game could be won or lost. His big take: he likes 49ers running back Kaelon Black more than the Raiders’ Ashton Jeanty. He also has a blunt read on a Raiders defense that keeps getting pushed around by the run.
Cosell thinks Black fits Kyle Shanahan’s system well. He’s physical and strong, he gets the hard yards, and he can turn a 3-yard run into 6. That’s a dangerous combination against a Raiders defense that gave up about 150 rushing yards to Braelon Allen last week, even after signing linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker in the offseason. With Christian McCaffrey missing practice, Black could be a big part of the plan. On the other side, Cosell calls Jeanty a solid prospect but not a special one, and says Mike Washington is the better back right now.
The Raiders’ real weapon is Brock Bowers. Cosell explains how Bowers works as a movable chess piece and why he has made Las Vegas almost entirely a multiple-tight-end offense, so the 49ers’ defense needs a plan for him. He also covers what DeForest Buckner adds to the 49ers’ front, which 49ers receivers could be ready this week, and why Fernando Mendoza won’t play while Kirk Cousins is playing this well.
Topics discussed include:
Kaelon Black vs Ashton Jeanty
Whether the Raiders can stop the 49ers’ run game
How the 49ers can handle Brock Bowers and the Raiders’ tight-end sets
DeForest Buckner’s role on the 49ers’ defensive line
The 49ers’ receiver health: Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins, Mike Evans
Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza and where the Raiders are headed
Do the 49ers run all over the Raiders this week? Give us your prediction in the comments.
0:00 – Buckner’s Role on the 49ers Defense vs Las Vegas
2:34 – Which 49ers Receivers Are Ready for the Raiders?
5:40 – Kaelon Black vs Ashton Jeanty
8:15 – Can the 49ers Stop Brock Bowers and the Raiders’ Tight Ends?
11:58 – Mendoza, Cousins and the Raiders’ Run Defense Problem
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