The air used to be different when these two teams met. It wasn't just football; it was a territorial dispute. If you grew up in Northern California, you were forced to pick a side early. Red or Silver. Niners or Raiders. It felt like a family feud where nobody was actually related but everyone was ready to fight over the last slice of pizza.
Honestly, the move to Las Vegas changed the vibe, but it didn't kill the grudge. When we talk about San Francisco vs Raiders, we’re talking about a rivalry that doesn’t need a division race to matter. They only play in the regular season once every four years. That’s it. Yet, the intensity remains high because the history is so thick you could cut it with a commercial-grade steak knife.
The Geography Changed, the Heat Stayed
For decades, this was the "Battle of the Bay." You had fans literally taking the BART or driving across the Bay Bridge to talk trash in person. Then 2020 happened. The Raiders packed up for the desert, trading the gritty Oakland Coliseum for the shiny "Death Star" Allegiant Stadium.
People thought the rivalry would die. It didn't.
If anything, the distance made the heart grow fonder of hitting the other guy. Take their recent August 16, 2025, preseason clash. Preseason usually means nothing. It’s a bunch of guys trying not to get cut. But this one? It ended with Jake Moody—the 49ers kicker who has been a bit of a rollercoaster for fans—nailing a 59-yard walk-off field goal to win it 22-19. Allegiant Stadium was buzzing like it was January, not mid-August.
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The 49ers currently hold a slim 8-7 lead in the all-time regular-season series. It's that close. Every time they meet, it feels like someone is trying to settle a debt from 1970.
Breaking Down the 2025 Dynamics
Watching the 49ers lately is like watching a finely tuned Italian sports car that occasionally hits a massive pothole. Brock Purdy has found a rhythm with Ricky Pearsall that looks scary for the rest of the league. In that last matchup, they were surgical. They connected three times on the opening drive alone.
On the other side, the Raiders are in this weird, gritty transition phase. They’ve got Maxx Crosby out there playing like a man possessed, but the quarterback situation has been... well, "fluid" is the nice way to put it. Whether it's Aidan O'Connell or a veteran fill-in, the Raiders' identity is still "Just Win, Baby," even if the winning part is inconsistent.
Key Stats from the Recent Matchup:
- Total Yards: 49ers 348, Raiders 271
- Turnovers: Raiders 2, 49ers 1
- The Decider: Jake Moody's five field goals (30, 26, 50, 44, and 59 yards)
It’s wild to think a kicker accounted for almost the entire score, but that’s San Francisco vs Raiders for you. It's often ugly, physical, and decided by the smallest of margins.
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Why This Game Still Matters to the Fans
There is a segment of the fanbase that still remembers the 2011 preseason game at Candlestick Park. Things got way too heated in the stands, and the NFL actually stopped the annual preseason meetings for years because of it. That’s the level of "dislike" we’re dealing with here.
Now that they’ve started playing preseason games again, the joint practices have become the real show. In the 2025 training camp, reports from The Athletic noted that Maxx Crosby was basically living in the 49ers' backfield during drills. It wasn't just practice; it was a statement. The Niners' offensive line, usually a wall, struggled to keep the "Silver and Black" pressure off their franchise QB.
Misconceptions About the Rivalry
One thing people get wrong is thinking this is a "friendly" local rivalry. It's not the Giants vs. the A's. There’s a genuine bitterness. 49ers fans view the Raiders as the chaotic, rebellious younger brother. Raiders fans view the 49ers as the "wine and cheese" crowd—privileged and soft.
The reality is more complex. Both teams have had periods of absolute dominance and soul-crushing failure. The Raiders haven't beaten the 49ers in a regular-season game since 2014. That’s a long time to hold a grudge.
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What to Watch For Next
The next regular-season meeting is scheduled for 2026. Mark your calendars, because that’s when the "8-7" record will either tie up or the Niners will start to pull away.
If you're following this matchup, pay attention to the trenches. The 49ers' success depends entirely on Trent Williams and the O-line holding up against elite edge rushers. If the Raiders can continue to develop their defensive front around Crosby, they become a nightmare for Kyle Shanahan’s timing-based offense.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans:
- Watch the Joint Practices: If these teams schedule joint sessions again, that's where the real starters go full speed. It's better than the actual preseason game.
- Track the Kicking Game: As we saw in 2025, Moody vs. the Raiders' special teams is often the difference-maker.
- Ignore the "Preseason" Label: When these two teams play, "meaningless" doesn't exist in the fans' vocabulary.
The move to Nevada might have put a few hundred miles between the stadiums, but the San Francisco vs Raiders rivalry is alive and well. It’s a bridge that never actually got burned—just stretched out across the desert.
Keep an eye on the 2026 schedule release. That game in Santa Clara or Las Vegas will likely be one of the most expensive tickets of the year, regardless of the teams' records.