The Las Vegas Raiders (4-4) face a defining test this Sunday, November 8, 2026, when they travel to face the NFC-leading San Francisco 49ers (6-1) at Levi’s Stadium. For a team still seeking a signature win against a playoff-caliber opponent, this matchup is more than a game—it’s a chance for the Silver and Black to announce themselves as legitimate contenders. The key to an upset lies in winning several critical on-field battles, starting with how the Raiders’ defense handles the unique threat posed by 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk.
San Francisco’s offense, ranked fourth in the NFL with 28.1 points per game, has built its success on a personnel group that has become increasingly rare in the modern era: the 21 personnel package. The 49ers lead the league in usage, lining up with two running backs and one tight end on 34.5% of their offensive plays—a rate 6.6% higher than any other team. This reliance is not by accident; it is the foundation of their offensive identity.
Defending the Juszczyk Package
When the 49ers use this formation, they generate significant positive results. According to data from Sumer Sports, their EPA (Expected Points Added) when using 21 personnel totals 11.21, the highest mark in the league. While their EPA per play in these packages ranks eighth, that figure is somewhat skewed, as all teams ahead of them have fewer than 11 such plays on the season. This package is uniquely effective for San Francisco, contributing to both a positive EPA per pass (0.05) and per rush (0.1).
The engine of this scheme is Juszczyk. His role extends far beyond traditional fullback duties. Per Pro Football Focus, he has lined up as a tight end or wide receiver on 111 of his 163 snaps this season—more than double the 52 snaps he has spent in the backfield. Shanahan uses this versatility to create mismatches, often deploying Juszczyk as a pseudo-tight end alongside George Kittle, effectively running a 12 personnel set out of a 21 personnel grouping. The Raiders’ defense has struggled when facing similar sets, ranking 22nd in the league in EPA per pass allowed (0.169) when opposing offenses use two tight ends.
Juszczyk’s impact is evident in the numbers. While his 58.8 PFF run-blocking grade might seem modest, it ranks fourth among fullbacks with sufficient volume. He is a crucial cog in a system that has seen running back Kaelon Black post the highest yards per carry (4.52) in the league with 21 personnel on the field, with Christian McCaffrey right behind him at 4.49. Conversely, the Raiders’ defense is vulnerable in these situations, ranking dead last in EPA per rush allowed (0.133) against 21 personnel, despite a small sample size of just 27 rushes. If Las Vegas cannot find an answer for Shanahan’s personnel packages, the 49ers’ ground attack and play-action passing could prove decisive.
Las Vegas Raiders’ defense must find answers for San Francisco 49ers Kyle Juszczyk packages in Week 9 key matchups https://t.co/qW82PaIsLb
Interior Line vs. Interior Pressure
The Raiders’ offensive identity is the inverse of their opponent’s. Las Vegas is one of the league’s most pass-heavy teams, ranking third in passing yards per game (265.1) but second-to-last in rushing yards (77.3). This has led to a career resurgence for quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has thrown for 2,124 yards and 19 touchdowns through eight weeks, ranking second in the league in the latter category.
However, Cousins’ effectiveness is tied to his protection. With a clean pocket, his PFF passing grade is a strong 88.4. But when pressured, that number plummets to 50.1, and his turnover-worthy plays increase. This makes the matchup between the Raiders’ interior offensive line and the 49ers’ interior defensive line a critical focal point. Left guard Spencer Burford has surrendered the third-most pressures among guards, and the Raiders will be breaking in a new starter at right guard, Trey Zuhn III.
The 49ers’ interior rush is formidable, headlined by the impending return of DeForest Buckner. The defensive tackle, who was the team’s first-round pick in 2016, was traded back to San Francisco during the bye week. In seven games with the Indianapolis Colts, he registered 20 pressures and four sacks, according to PFF. He joins Osa Odighizuwa (21 pressures) and rookie Gracen Halton (70.7 pass-rush grade) to form a formidable trio. With edge rusher Nick Bosa still recovering from a calf injury, the pressure up the middle will be key to disrupting Cousins.
The Mayer-Warner Tilt
While tight end Brock Bowers often commands attention in the passing game, it is Michael Mayer who may face the stiffer test. Mayer, who lines up as a traditional tight end on 72.5% of his pass snaps, is having a career year with 36 catches for 351 yards. His ability to gain yards after the catch (51.3% of his total yardage) has made him a reliable target for Cousins.
His primary challenge will be covering or blocking Fred Warner, the 49ers’ four-time All-Pro linebacker. Warner is arguably the best at his position and has a well-rounded skill set. In coverage, he has allowed only 37 total yards to tight ends this season, with a measly three yards after the catch. In the run game, he has a 91.6 run defense grade. For Mayer to be effective, he must win his individual battles against the NFL’s top linebacker, a significant challenge for any tight end.
As the teams prepare for Sunday, the stakes are clear. The Raiders’ playoff hopes hinge on their ability to answer the 49ers’ schematic advantages in key matchups. The game kicks off at 1:25 p.m. Pacific Time on FOX and will serve as a crucial barometer for both teams as the season approaches the midway point.
