The San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals square off in Week 8

with both teams eyeing a high pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. They are struggling for different reasons Solomon Thomas jersey , but struggling nonetheless. Arizona is rolling out a rookie quarterback as they rebuild from the Carson Palmer years. San Francisco is playing with their backup quarterback thanks to Jimmy Garoppolo’s torn ACL.It’s been a rough year for both fanbases, although Cardinals fans seem a little more in the dumps. The Cardinals are hosting this game, but Arizona fans are not exactly feeling it. In the weekly FanPulse survey, Cardinals fans in aggregate are predicting a 1-point loss. By comparison, 49ers fans in aggregate are predicting a 2-point win.The line for this game has had some modest movement the past five days. It opened anywhere between Cardinals -1 and pick ‘em. As Friday gets going, it is anywhere between pick ‘em and 49ers -1.5 Authentic Ahkello Witherspoon jersey , according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. Online sportsbooks are seeing roughly 54 percent of money wagered on the 49ers. William Hill released their Thursday afternoon figures for the 100+ operators they have, and they have 66 percent of tickets and 60 percent of money wagered on the 49ers.I have pondered whether I should take the 49ers in the SuperContest. Honestly, the only thing that has kept me from it is the switch to Byron Leftwich at offensive coordinator. He has no NFL experience as a play-caller, but he was a solid quarterback who has received a lot of praise for his mind as a future head coach. It does not mean he can put together a full game-plan, but he has to be better than Mike McCoy, right?The 49ers are shaky at best right now Youth DeForest Buckner jersey , but they are the better team. Even at -1, this seems like a winnable pick. Thoughts? The San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders face off for Bay Area domination one last time Thursday before the silver and black head to Las Vegas in 2020. The final Battle of the Bay, led by Kyle Shanahan and Jon Gruden, will feature two teams that combine for two wins and 13 losses so far in 2018. It’s a long-awaited matchup that fans are just hoping will be interesting if nothing else.Here are five players to watch when the 49ers battle the Raiders on Thursday:TE George KittleKittle has emerged into one of the NFL’s elite tight ends and a valuable offensive weapon for the 49ers. The second-year player is on pace for 1,168 yards in 2018 and would be the first 49ers tight end to eclipse the century mark. Shoutout to Sacarmento Bee’s Chris Biderman the intel. Kittle’s impact will be one to watch Thusday as the 49ers increasingly rely on their standout tight end among an under-performing group of wide receivers. RB Matt BreidaBreida may be too stubborn for his own good. The 49ers’ undrafted free agent from 2017 has proven remarkably durable this season as he continues to play through a nagging ankle injury. On the other hand, perhaps Breida should allow his body some time to heal before taking the field again or risk re-aggravating as he did against the Rams in Week 6. The 49ers’ lead back has been impressive when healthy http://www.49ersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-arik-armstead-jersey , averaging 5.8 yards per carry so far in 2018. His health will be one to watch Thursday against a vulnerable Raiders run defense.CB Richard ShermanSherman took a small step back Sunday against the Cardinals, allowing a handful of receptions including a big play to Larry Fitzgerald during the team’s fourth-quarter comeback. He’d only allowed a single reception before Week 7. In the Cardinals’ final offensive series, Sherman allowed a big gain to rookie Christian Kirk, but immediately followed that up with a pass breakup in the end zone. His resilience is something the young roster can learn from. It’ll be something to watch Thursday as the veteran cornerback battles a calf injury that he wasn’t sure would allow him to go on a short week.WR Kendrick BourneThe 49ers were without Pierre Gar莽on against the Cardinals Sunday. The veteran receiver was struggling with both knee and shoulder injuries before being ruled out. Second-year undrafted free agent Kendrick Bourne capitalized on the opportunity, reeling in seven receptions on 10 targets for 71 yards, all a respective best among the offense. The possiblity of an expanded role for Bourne will be worth watching Thursday Jaquiski Tartt jersey , especially if Gar莽on returns.S Tyvis PowellThe 49ers’ group of safeties has been decimated by injury. Starting free safety Adrian Colbert was placed on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain after the team’s Week 6 matchup against the Rams. Strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (shoulder) has been ruled out along with his backup, Antione Exum (concussion.) Backup and recent practice squad promotion Tyvis Powell replaced Tartt against the Cardinals and instantly became the target of the offense. The 49ers will be depending on an improvement from Powerll after receiving the majorty of first-team reps throughout the week.In addition to Powell, the 49ers plan to activate rookie safety Marcell Harris (hamstring) Thursday from injured reserve, per NFL’s Ian Rapoport. How coordinator Robert Saleh handles the playing time for both will be worth keeping an eye on.