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The Las Vegas Raiders face the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in NFL Week 9 on Sunday, 8 November (9:25pm UK time), with two very different aims. The Raiders are still in the playoff hunt, whilst the 49ers have their eyes on the Super Bowl. But the biggest question for some Raiders fans is… when do we get to see Fernando Mendoza?

The AFC West Standings

The Raiders are currently ninth in the AFC playoff race, so just outside looking in. However, their next four games will go a long way to deciding their season. After this game, they take on the Seahawks, Broncos and the Browns all before their Week 13 bye.

Veteran QB Kirk Cousins has certainly made the Raiders better this season. He has completed 180 of 283 passes for 2,124 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions, averaging 7.5 yards per attempt and 265.5 yards per game. However, he has the No. 1 pick of the 2026 Draft sitting on the bench in Fernando Mendoza, who must be itching to show what he is capable of.

When will Fernando Mendoza play for the Raiders?

Mendoza remains behind Cousins on the Raiders’ Week 9 depth chart. With Las Vegas still in the playoff hunt and Cousins throwing 19 touchdowns against five interceptions, there is little reason to rush the rookie into the starting role. Unless the results or Cousins’ form take a sharp downturn, Mendoza’s chance seems more likely later in the season than against San Francisco.

TE Brock Bowers has been excellent this season, following on from his breakout season last year. He has 41 receptions (from 62 targets) for 547 yards with five touchdowns. WR Tre Tucker has 29 catches (from 48 targets) for 474 yards and four touchdowns.

RB Ashton Jeanty has been struggling this season, after exploding on the scene in his rookie year. So far this season, he has 108 carries for 337 yards and just the one touchdown. He also has 37 receptions (from 48 targets) for 376 yards and three touchdowns. RB Mike Washington Jr has 65 carries for 278 yards and a touchdown.

The NFC West Standings

The 49ers are the team to beat in the NFC, currently sitting in the No.1 seed spot. Their first loss came as a surprise in week 7 against the Falcons, just before the 49ers went on their bye. Coming off their bye, they will be hungry to get back on a winning run to maintain that No.1 spot.

QB Brock Purdy has completed 146 of 211 passes for 1,748 yards, 15 touchdowns and four interceptions, averaging 8.3 yards per attempt and 249.7 yards per game. He also has 32 carries for 161 yards and a touchdown.

Their star man? Christian McCaffrey. The RB has 84 carries for 389 yards and eight touchdowns. He also has 34 receptions (from 42 targets) for 251 yards. His teammate, Kaelon Black has 57 carries for 233 yards and a touchdown.

Plenty of receivers are getting the ball in San Francisco. TE George Kittle leads the way with 34 catches (from 46 targets) for 425 yards and five touchdowns, whilst WR Mike Evans has 27 receptions (from 39 targets) for 420 yards and three touchdowns. WR Deebo Samuel also has 16 catches (from 20 targets) for 206 yards and three touchdowns.

Who Wins and How?

This should be an easy win for the 49ers on paper. The Raiders haven’t beaten a team with a winning record this season, and lost four games on the bounce before beating the Jets last week. However, the 49ers did lose to the Falcons before their bye week, so could that knock their confidence? The 49ers do have a few injury issues to their star players. Mike Evans (ribs/Achilles), Deebo Samuel (hamstring) and Christian Kirk (knee) are all ruled out. Christian McCaffrey and Nick Bosa, however, both practised in full on Friday and carry no injury designation. That’s a welcome boost for San Francisco, even with its receiving options stretched. The 49ers win this one by seven points.

For more from across the league, read our NFL Week 8 predictions and matchups.